ORIGINAL PAPER
Comparing the 30–15 intermittent fitness test and treadmill test on VO2 max in elite female footballers
1
Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Submission date: 2024-12-11
Acceptance date: 2025-03-12
Online publication date: 2025-08-01
Corresponding author
KEYWORDS
elite female footballmaximum oxygen uptakelaboratory/treadmill testfield run testphysical performance
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
The study compared the 30–15 intermittent fitness test (30–15 IFT) and the treadmill-based multistage incremental test to evaluate their effectiveness in assessing cardiorespiratory fitness in elite female football players.
Methods:
Fifteen Slovenian National A Team female football players (age = 24.4 ± 5.7 years; height = 166.5 ± 6.2 cm; weight = 59.9 ± 6.0 kg) completed the 30–15 IFT and treadmill tests on separate occasions. Maximal running speed (MRS), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and maximum heart rate (HRmax) were measured, with Pearson’s correlation coefficients used to assess their relationships.
Results:
A moderate positive correlation was found between mean MRS treadmill speed (MRS_Treadmill) and VO2max from the 30–15 IFT (r = 0.533, p = 0.041). The VO2 max from the 30–15 IFT and treadmill test showed a strong correlation (r = 0.756, p = 0.002), while the correlation between treadmill VO2max and mean MRS 30–15 IFT speed (MRS_30–15 IFT) was nearly perfect (r = 0.977, p = 0.000). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC ) for single VO2max measurements was 0.689 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.271–0.888, p = 0.002], indicating moderate agreement, and 0.816 (95% CI: = 0.426 – 0.941, p = 0.002) for average measurements, indicating strong agreement.
Conclusions:
These results are important for coaches of elite women’s football. The reduced variability suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness measures are more consistent in elite athletes than in diverse sports populations. This study’s unique contribution lies in its focus on elite national female football players, providing specific findings that enhance the utility of the 30–15 IFT in this specialised context.
The study compared the 30–15 intermittent fitness test (30–15 IFT) and the treadmill-based multistage incremental test to evaluate their effectiveness in assessing cardiorespiratory fitness in elite female football players.
Methods:
Fifteen Slovenian National A Team female football players (age = 24.4 ± 5.7 years; height = 166.5 ± 6.2 cm; weight = 59.9 ± 6.0 kg) completed the 30–15 IFT and treadmill tests on separate occasions. Maximal running speed (MRS), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and maximum heart rate (HRmax) were measured, with Pearson’s correlation coefficients used to assess their relationships.
Results:
A moderate positive correlation was found between mean MRS treadmill speed (MRS_Treadmill) and VO2max from the 30–15 IFT (r = 0.533, p = 0.041). The VO2 max from the 30–15 IFT and treadmill test showed a strong correlation (r = 0.756, p = 0.002), while the correlation between treadmill VO2max and mean MRS 30–15 IFT speed (MRS_30–15 IFT) was nearly perfect (r = 0.977, p = 0.000). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC ) for single VO2max measurements was 0.689 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.271–0.888, p = 0.002], indicating moderate agreement, and 0.816 (95% CI: = 0.426 – 0.941, p = 0.002) for average measurements, indicating strong agreement.
Conclusions:
These results are important for coaches of elite women’s football. The reduced variability suggests that cardiorespiratory fitness measures are more consistent in elite athletes than in diverse sports populations. This study’s unique contribution lies in its focus on elite national female football players, providing specific findings that enhance the utility of the 30–15 IFT in this specialised context.
REFERENCES (47)
1.
FIFA. FIFA Women’s Football MA Survey Report 2023. [Internet]. 2023. Available from: https:// digitalhub.fifa.com/m/28ed34bd888832a8/ original/FIFA-Women-s-Football-MA-Survey- Report-2023.pdf (accessed 20.10.2024).
2.
FIFA. Physical Analysis of The FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019. [Internet]. 2019. Available from: https://digitalhub.fifa.com/m/... 8140d305e2/original/zijqly4oednqa5gffgazpdf. pdf (accessed 20.10.2024).
3.
Griffin J, Larsen B, Horan S, Keogh J, Dodd K, Andreatta M, Minahan C. Women‘s football: examining factors influencing movement patterns. J Strength Cond Res. 2020;34(8):2384–93; doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000003638.
4.
Seçkin AC, Ateş B, Seçkin M. Review on wearable technology in sports: Concepts, challenges, and opportunities. Appl Sci. 2023;13(18):10399; doi: 10.3390/app131810399.
5.
Miguel M, Oliveira R, Loureiro N, García-Rubio J, Ibañez SJ. Load measures in training/match monitoring in soccer: a systematic review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(5):2721; doi: 10.3390/ ijerph18052721.
6.
Schmidt SL (ed.). 21st Century Sports. How Technologies Will Change Sports in the Digital Age. Cham: Springer; 2020; doi: 10.1007/978-3-030- 50801-2.
7.
Whitehead S, Till K, Weaving D, Jones B. The use of microtechnology to quantify the peak match demands of the football codes: a systematic review. Sports Med. 2018;48(11):2549–75; doi: 10.1007/ s40279-018-0965-6.
8.
Linke D, Link D, Lames M. Football-specific validity of TR ACAB’s optical video tracking systems. PLOS ONE. 2020;15(3); doi: 10.1371/journal. pone.0230179.
9.
Pons E, García-Calvo T, Resta R, Blanco H, López del Campo R, Díaz García J, Pulido JJ. A comparison of a GPS device and a multi-camera video technology during official soccer matches: agreement between systems. PLOS ONE. 2019;14(8): e0220729; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0220729.
10.
Hebisz R, Cortis C, Hebisz P, Borkowski J, Jastrzębska A. Effects of polarized, sprint interval, highintensity interval, and low-intensity training programs on aerobic fitness and cardiovascular health markers in active individuals. Hum Mov. 2024; 25(2):86–96; doi: 10.5114/hm/186688.
11.
Mackała K, Kurzaj M, Okrzymowska P, Stodółka J, Coh M, Rożek-Piechura K. The effect of respiratory muscle training on the pulmonary function, lung ventilation, and endurance performance of young soccer players. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019;17(1):234; doi: 10.3390/ijerph1701 0234.
12.
Mäkiniemi JK, Savolainen EH, Finni T, Ihalainen J. Position specific physical demands in different phases of competitive matches in national level women’s football. Biol Sport. 2023;40(3):629–37; doi: 10.5114/biolsport.2023.118337.
13.
Križaj J. The world through football. In: Owen A (ed.). Soccer science and performance coaching: develop an elite coaching methodology with applied coaching science. Meyer and Meyer Sport; 2023, pp. 17–21.
14.
Andrzejewski M, Chmura J, Chmura P, Konefał M, Kowalczuk E, Rokita A. Distances covered above and below the anaerobic threshold by professional football players in different competitive conditions. Cent Eur J Sport Sci Med. 2015;10(2):25–31.
15.
Faude O, Schnittker R, Schulte-Zurhausen R, Müller F, Meyer T. High-intensity interval training vs. high-volume running training during pre-season conditioning in high-level youth football: a crossover trial. J Sports Sci. 2013;31(13):1441–50; doi: 10.1080/02640414.2013.792953.
16.
Jones S, Tillin T, Williams S, Coady E, Chaturvedi N, Hughes AD. Assessment of exercise capacity and oxygen consumption using a 6 min stepper test in older adults. Front Physiol. 2017;8: 408; doi: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00408.
17.
Schmitz B, Pfeifer C, Thorwesten L, Krüger M, Klose A, Brand SM. Yo-yo intermittent recovery level 1 test for estimation of peak oxygen uptake: use without restriction?. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2020; 91(3):478–87; doi: 10.1080/02701367.2019.168 4432.
18.
Haugen TA, Tønnessen E, Hem E, Leirstein S, Seiler S. VO2max characteristics of elite female soccer players, 1989–2007. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2014;9(3):515–21; doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2012-0150.
19.
Modric T, Versic S, Sekulic D. Aerobic fitness and game performance indicators in professional football players: Playing position specifics and associations. Heliyon. 2020;6(11):e05427; doi: 10.1016/ j.heliyon.2020.e05427.
20.
Bok D, Foster C. Applicability of field aerobic fitness tests in soccer: which one to choose? J Funct Morphol Kinesiol. 2021;6(3):69; doi: 10.3390/ jfmk6030069.
21.
Buchheit M, Dikmen U, Vassallo C. The 30–15 intermittent fitness test – two decades of learnings. Sport Perform Sci. Rep. 2021;1:148.
22.
Čović N, Jelešković E, Alić H, Rado I, Kafedžić E, Sporiš G, McMaster DT , Milanović Z. Reliability, validity, and usefulness of the 30–15 intermittent fitness test in female soccer players. Front Physiol. 2016;7:510; doi: 10.3389/fphys.2016.00510.
23.
Thomas C, Dos’Santos T, Jones PA, Comfort P. Reliability of the 30–15 intermittent fitness test in semiprofessional soccer players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2016;11(2):172–5; doi: 10.1123/ ijspp.2015-0056.
24.
Valladares-Rodríguez S, Rey E, Mecías-Calvo M, Barcala-Furelos R, Bores-Cerezal AJ. Reliability and usefulness of the 30–15 intermittent fitness test in male and female professional futsal players. J Hum Kinet. 2017;60:191–98; doi: 10.1515/ hukin-2017-0102.
25.
Bangsbo J, Mohr M, Krustrup P. Physical and metabolic demands of training and match-play in the elite football player. J Sports Sci. 2006;24(7):665– 74; doi: 10.1080/02640410500482529.
26.
Bishop D, Edge J, Goodman C. Muscle buffer capacity and aerobic fitness are associated with repeated- sprint ability in women. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004;92:540–47; doi: 10.1007/s00421-004-1150-1.
27.
Halson SL, Jeukendrup AE. Does overtraining exist? An analysis of overtraining in athletes. Sports Med. 2004;34(14):1043–59; doi: 10.2165/00007 256-200434140-00003.
28.
Buchheit M, Al Haddad H, Millet GP, Lepretre PM, Newton M, Ahmaidi S. Cardiorespiratory and cardiac autonomic responses to 30–15 intermittent fitness test in team sport players. J Strength Cond Res. 2009;23(1):93–100; doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b01 3e31818b9721.
29.
Trecroci A, Boccolini G, Duca M, Formenti D, Alberti G. Mental fatigue impairs physical activity, technical and decision-making performance during small-sided games. PLOS ONE. 2020;15(9): e0238461; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238461.
30.
Grgic J, Lazinica B, Pedisic Z. Test-retest reliability of the 30–15 intermittent fitness test: a systematic review. J Sport Health Sci. 2021;10(4):413–18; doi: 10.1016/j.jshs.2020.04.010.
31.
Jeličić M, Ivancev V, Cular D, Čović N, Stojanović E, Scanlan AT, Milanović Z. The 30–15 intermittent fitness test: a reliable, valid, and useful tool to assess aerobic capacity in female basketball players. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2019;91(1):83–91; doi: 10.1080/ 02701367.2019.1648743.
32.
Clemente FM, Oliveira R, Akyildiz Z, Yildiz M, Sagiroglu I, Silva AF. Locomotor demands of the 30–15 intermittent fitness test, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test, and VAMEVAL test and comparisons with regular locomotor demands in training sessions and matches: a study conducted in youth male soccer players. Hum Mov. 2023;24(1): 67–75; doi: 10.5114/hm.2023.114308.
33.
Stanković M, Gušić M, Nikolić S, Barišić V, Krakan I, Sporis G, Mikulić I, Trajković N. 30–15 intermittent fitness test: a systematic review of studies examining the VO2max estimation and training programming. Appl Sci. 2021;11(24):11792. doi: 10.3390/app112411792.
34.
Buchheit M, Laursen PB. High-intensity interval training, solutions to the programming puzzle. Part I: cardiopulmonary emphasis. Sports Med. 2013;43(5):313–38; doi: 10.1007/s40279-013- 0029-x.
35.
Asimakidis ND, Bishop C, Beato M, Bishop C, Beato M, Turner AN. Assessment of aerobic fitness and repeated sprint ability in elite male soccer: a systematic review of test protocols used in practice and research. Sports Med. 2025;55:1233–64; doi: 10.1007/s40279-025-02188-4.
36.
Ronan JT, Shafer AB. Concurrent validity of the five-minute pyramid test for VO2max estimation in healthy young adults. Hum Mov. 2019;20(4): 41–5; doi: 10.5114/hm.2019.85092.
37.
Mohoric U, Sibila M, Abazovic E, Jovanovic S, Paravlic AH. Comparison of the field-based intermittent running fitness test 30–15 and the treadmill multistage incremental test for the assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness in elite handball players. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022;19(6): 3535; doi: 10.3390/ijerph19063535.
38.
McKay AKA, Stellingwerff T, Smith ES, Martin DT , Mujika I, Goosey-Tolfrey VL, Sheppard J, Burke LM. Defining training and performance caliber: a participant classification framework. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2021;17(2):317–31; doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2021-0451.
39.
Seino S, Shinkai S, Iijima K, Obuchi S, Fujiwara Y, Yoshida H, Kawai H, Nishi M, Murayama H, Taniguchi Y, Amano H, Takahashi R. Reference values and age differences in body composition of community- dwelling older Japanese men and women: a pooled analysis of four cohort studies. PLOS ONE. 2015;10(7):e0131975; doi: 10.1371/journal. pone.0131975.
40.
Jones AM, Doust JH. A 1% treadmill grade most accurately reflects the energetic cost of outdoor running. J Sports Sci. 1996;14(4):321–7; doi: 10.1080/02640419608727717.
41.
Poole DC , Richardson RS. Determinants of oxygen uptake: implications for exercise testing. Sports Med. 1997;24(5):308–20; doi: 10.2165/000072 56-199724050-00003.
42.
Rossiter HB, Kowalchuk JM, Whipp BJ. A test to establish maximum O2 uptake despite no plateau in the O2 uptake response to ramp incremental exercise. J Appl Physiol. 2006;100(3):764–70; doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00932.2005.
43.
Borszcz FK, Tramontin AF, de Souza KM, Carminatti LJ, Costa VP. Physiological correlations with short, medium, and long cycling time-trial performance. Res Q Exerc Sport. 2018;89(1):120– 5; doi: 10.1080/02701367.2017.1411578.
44.
Buchheit M. The 30–15 intermittent fitness test: accuracy for individualizing interval training of young intermittent sport players. J Strength Cond Res. 2008;22(2):365–74; doi: 10.1519/JSC.0b01 3e3181635b2e.
45.
Koo TK, Li MY. A guideline of selecting and reporting intraclass correlation coefficients for reliability research. J Chiropr Med. 2016;15(2): 155–63; doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2016.02.012.
46.
Datson N, Hulton A, Andersson H, Lewis T, Weston M, Drust B, Gregson W. Applied physiology of female soccer: an update. Sports Med. 2014;44(9): 1225–40; doi: 10.1007/s40279-014-0199-1.
47.
Mauger AR, Sculthorpe N. A new VO2max protocol allowing self-pacing in maximal incremental exercise. Br J Sports Med. 2012;46(1):59–63; doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2011-090006.
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
| eISSN: | 1899-1955 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
