Assessing Aerobic Endurance
1.5-Mile Run: Aerobic endurance is a major determinant of soccer performance as the sport involves
continuous activity over a 90-minute period. Directly measuring aerobic capacity is possible with the use
of metabolic equipment, but it can also be assessed indirectly by using endurance-based fitness tests such
as the 1.5-mile run.
Equipment: stop watch, a suitable running track of a known distance or a 1.5 mile course with a good
running surface
Set-up and Directions: If you are using a running track with a distance less than 1.5 miles, ensure that
you determine the exact amount of laps required to complete the distance and relay this information to the
players. Have the athlete(s) warm up with light jogging and dynamic stretching. When ready, direct them
to line up behind the starting line. Have the players start on the coach's command and record the time
taken for each athlete to complete the run (more than one timer may be required if you have a big group).
Assessment: Scores recorded in the 1.5-mile run are very closely related to VO 2 max (maximal oxygen
uptake), a measure of an athlete’s aerobic capacity. Although soccer involves intermittent, high-intensity
exercise, having a high level of aerobic endurance facilitates recovery from these high-intensity actions
and lessens the onset of fatigue. Aerobic endurance will improve as the season progresses and the player
is involved in more game-related activities. However, if the scores are particularly low (greater than 15
minutes for men and 17 minutes for women), then the coach should strongly consider making aerobic
endurance training a priority in the conditioning program.
Table 1.2 gives a summary of the various fitness assessment tests and illustrates how each parameter
measured may apply to soccer.