EFFECTS OF AEROBIC TRAINING VERSUS CROSS-TRAINING UPON CARDIO-RESPIRATORY ENDURANCE OF MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNERS

The current study was conducted to examine the effects of aerobic training versus cross-training upon cardio-respiratory endurance of middle distance runners. A total of 60 male college’s badminton players between the age of 18-21 years participated in the study. Participants were divided into two groups, Experimental Group (EG) n=40 and Control Group (CG) n=20. The EG was further divided into Aerobic Training A and Cross Training B. EG was given prescribed training, while CG remained as usual. Data were collected two times; T1 pre-test and T2 post-test after eight weeks. T-test was applied to measure the statistically significant differences between pre- and post-test results. There is significant effect of cross training on cardiovascular fitness of middle distance runners aged 17 to 24 years. The effect of cross training was measured as a dominant training method for the cardiovascular fitness of middle distance runners as compare to aerobic training and control group. Before the treatments the groups were same in cardiovascular endurance but due to aerobic training and cross training the middle distance runners reduce their weight and BMI as well as improve their cardiovascular endurance after the treatment.