Development of a Specific Training Program to Improve Speed, Endurance, Aerobic, and Anaerobic Capacity in 800 Meter Running Male Athletes at the University

Background and Aim: Improving performance in the 800-meter race has consistently been a multifaceted challenge. Current training methods in these universities vary widely, including foundational physical training and specialized running technique training. So, the main objective of this study was to develop a specific training program to improve speed, endurance, aerobic, and anaerobic capacity in 800-meter running male athletes at the university.

Materials and Methods: This research employed a quasi-experimental two-group pre-test/post-test design to assess an eight-week program for enhancing speed endurance, aerobic, and anaerobic capacity in 800-meter running male athletes at a university. 50 samples were selected from the university (experimental group: 25 athletes, and control group: 50 athletes). Training program content was drafted by using the focus group method and confirmed by 7 experts by using the connoisseurship method; item-objective congruence averaged 0.93, and reliability was 0.88. The experimental group trained for 90 minutes per session, integrating interval speed-endurance, aerobic, and anaerobic capacity. All variables were measured at baseline pre-test, mid-test, and post-test. Repeated-measures ANOVA assessed within-group; independent-sample t-tests compared between groups, with the significant difference level at 0.05.

Results: 1) Within the experimental group, there was an improvement in anaerobic capacity (from 150.2 ± 5.8 seconds to 145.0 ± 4.8 seconds), speed endurance (from 180.25 ± 2.45 seconds to 170.35 ± 2.15 seconds), and 800-meter running time (from 170.35 ± 2.15 seconds to 168.35 ± 1.90 seconds); aerobic capacity declined slightly yet stayed within normative ranges. 2) Within the control group, there were no meaningful gains except for modest maintenance in aerobic capacity. Post-test comparisons between groups showed that the experimental group had higher anaerobic capacity, speed endurance, and 800-meter running time performance, whereas aerobic and anaerobic capacity were higher in the control group.

Conclusion: The eight-week training program demonstrates a high degree of coherence, scientific grounding, and practical feasibility. The structure thoughtfully combines aerobic base-building with progressive speed endurance training and allows room for individualized adaptation. The experts unanimously agree that the program suits the performance needs of university male 800-meter runners and holds strong potential for broader application. 

This research assesses an eight-week training program for 800-meter male athletes.