Analyzing aerobic endurance via 5×200 m testing in young female competitors

This study aimed to assess the aerobic endurance capacity of seven adolescent female athletes (aged 12-14 years; body weight: 45-56.7 kg; height: 155-167.5 cm) through the application of the 5 × 200 m Aerobic Step Test. This protocol provides a structured framework for evaluating physiological responses to submaximal exercise and is particularly relevant for coaches and sports scientists seeking to understand aerobic conditioning parameters in youth athletes. Key performance indicators-namely running speed, heart rate, and blood lactate concentration at the lactate threshold (LT)-were analyzed to evaluate training effectiveness and physiological adaptation to aerobic exercise. Data collection occurred during and immediately after each 200 m repetition. Heart rate was continuously monitored using a Polar Verify device affixed to the athletes’ swim goggles, while blood lactate concentrations were assessed with a portable lactate analyzer. The dataset was processed using the Slope Analysis method, facilitating detailed interpretation of performance dynamics across the five repetitions. At the lactate threshold, the athletes demonstrated an average completion time of 137.14±1.35 seconds (range: 135-139 s), corresponding to a mean speed of 1.46±0.01 m/s (range: 1.439-1.481 m/s). The average heart rate recorded at LT was 164.86±2.79 bpm (range: 161-169 bpm), with mean blood lactate concentrations of 5.8±0.38 mmol/L (range: 5.2-6.3 mmol/L). These findings suggest that the athletes maintained stable performance throughout the protocol and exhibited a well-developed capacity to sustain aerobic effort at intensities approaching the LT. The results provide practical implications for developing individualized training programs targeting aerobic endurance in adolescent female athletes. Future investigations may benefit from larger sample sizes, longitudinal study designs, and integration of advanced physiological monitoring tools to enhance the precision of aerobic capacity assessment.