Background: Cardiovascular endurance is a critical component of athletic performance, yet the optimal training methodology remains debated among sports scientists. This study examines the comparative effects of aerobic versus anaerobic training protocols on cardiovascular endurance parameters in college athletes.
Methods: Sixty college athletes (aged 18-22 years) were randomly assigned to three groups: aerobic training (AT, n=20), anaerobic training (ANT, n=20), and control group (CG, n=20). The intervention lasted 12 weeks with pre- and post-training assessments of VO₂max, resting heart rate, blood pressure, and lactate threshold.
Results: The AT group showed significant improvements in VO₂max (15.3% increase, p<0.001) and lactate threshold (12.7% increase, p<0.01). The ANT group demonstrated moderate improvements in VO₂max (8.2% increase, p<0.05) but superior anaerobic power gains. Both training groups showed significant reductions in resting heart rate compared to controls.
Conclusion: Aerobic training protocols demonstrate superior efficacy for cardiovascular endurance enhancement in college athletes, though anaerobic training provides complementary benefits for overall athletic performance.