No. 10, pp. 16–16

Received: 25.02.2026 | Published: 04.10.2026

CC BY 4.0

Keywords: football, youth football players, special endurance, preparatory period, interval method, physical training.

Aim of the study: to evaluate the effectiveness of a system of tools and methods for developing special endurance in football players aged 14–15 years during the preparatory period.

Methods and organization of the study. A pedagogical experiment was conducted during the preparatory period (September–November 2025) at a football school. It involved 30 football players aged 14–15 years, divided into an experimental (n=15) and a control (n=15) group. The experimental group applied a developed system of tools and methods with an emphasis on interval and game loads, while the control group followed a traditional training program. The level of special endurance was assessed using the following tests: 4×9 m shuttle run, 1500 m run, "Yo-Yo" test, and Rufier test. Data processing was performed using Student's t-test.

Results of the study and their discussion.  At the initial stage of the study, no significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups (p>0.05), which confirms their comparability. Upon completion of the preparatory period, a more pronounced positive trend was noted in the experimental group. In the 4×9 m shuttle run test, the execution time decreased from 9.8±0.4 s to 9.2±0.3 s (p<0.05), whereas in the control group, it decreased from 10.1±0.5 s to 9.7±0.4 s. The improvement in aerobic endurance was also more pronounced: the 1500 m run result in the experimental group improved by 25 seconds (p<0.05), and in the control group, by 15 seconds. The most significant differences were recorded in the "Yo-Yo" test . In the experimental group, the indicator increased from 14.2±1.1 to 16.8±1.3 levels (an increase of 18.3%, p<0.05), while in the control group, the increase was 8.6%. This indicates a more effective adaptation to repeated high-intensity loads characteristic of competitive activity.

Analysis of the functional state also revealed the advantages of the experimental methodology. The Rufier index decreased from 8.5±1.0 to 5.9±0.8 (p<0.05), which indicates an increase in working capacity and an acceleration of recovery processes. In the control group, the decrease was less pronounced.

 Conclusions.  The application of a structured system of tools and methods for developing special endurance in football players aged 14–15 years during the preparatory period ensures a significantly higher increase in speed, aerobic, and game endurance indicators compared to a traditional training program. The obtained results confirm the feasibility of introducing the developed methodology into the practice of children's and youth football.

 References  

1. Guba V.P., Presnyakov V.V., Kucherov P.V., Guba D.V. Obuchaem i treniruem [We teach and train]. Fizicheskaya kultura v shkole [Physical culture in school]. 2015. No. 3. P. 16–20.