Effects of an Eight-Week Game-Based Training Program on VO₂max in U15 Players at SSB Nggaro Lembo Sape

Abstract

Objectives:Game-based training is a football training method that integrates physical, Under-15 (U15) development stage, improving aerobic capacity (VO₂max) is essential for maintaining performance intensity during training and competition. This study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of a game-based training program in improving the VO₂max of U15 players at SSB Nggaro Lembo Sape.
Materials and Methods: This study employed a quantitative approach with a pre-experimental one-group pretest–posttest design. The participants were 20 male U15 football players selected through purposive sampling. The intervention consisted of a structured game-based training program conducted over eight weeks, with three training sessions per week and 20–30 minutes of core training in each session. VO₂max was estimated using the Multistage Fitness Test, also known as the Beep Test. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro–Wilk normality test and a paired-samples t-test at a significance level of α = 0.05.
Results: The mean VO₂max increased from 43.20 ± 3.60 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ at pretest to 47.00 ± 3.40 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ at posttest. The paired-samples t-test indicated a statistically significant improvement in VO₂max following the intervention (t = −6.80, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: The eight-week game-based training program significantly improved the VO₂max of U15 players at SSB Nggaro Lembo Sape. This training method may be used as an integrated and practical strategy for developing aerobic endurance in youth football training. However, the findings should be interpreted within the context of the one-group pre-experimental design