Test performance indicators from a single soccer specific fitness test differentiate between highly trained and recreationally active soccer players.

Full Abstract

AIM:
The aim of this study was to investigate whether a single soccer specific fitness test (SSFT) could differentiate between highly trained and recreationally active soccer players in selected test performance indicators.

METHODS:
Subjects:
13 Academy Scholars (AS) from a professional soccer club and 10 Recreational Players (RP) agreed to participate in this study. Test 1--VO(2) max was estimated from a progressive shuttle run test to exhaustion. Test 2--The SSFT was controlled by an automated procedure and alternated between walking, sprinting, jogging and cruise running speeds. Three activity blocks (1A, 2A and 3A) were separated by 3 min rest periods in which blood lactate samples were drawn. The 3 blocks of activity (Part A) were followed by 10 min of exercise at speeds alternating between jogging and cruise running (Part B).

RESULTS:
Estimated VO(2) max did not significantly differ between groups, although a trend for a higher aerobic capacity was evident in AS (p<0.09). Exercising heart rates did not differ between AS and RP, however, recovery heart rates taken from the 3 min rest periods were significantly lower in AS compared with RP following blocks 1A (124.65 b x min(-1) +/-7.73 and 133.98 b x min(-1) +/-6.63), (p<0.05) and 3A (129.91 b x min(-1) +/-10.21 and 138.85 b x min(-1) +/-8.70), (p<0.01). Blood lactate concentrations were significantly elevated in AS in comparison to RP following blocks 2A (6.91 mmol x l(-1) +/-2.67 and 4.74 mmol x l(-1) +/-1.28) and 3A (7.18 mmol x l(-1) +/-2.97 and 4.88 mmol x l(-1) +/-1.50), (p<0.05). AS sustained significantly faster average sprint times in block 3A compared with RP (3.18 sec +/-0.12 and 3.31 sec +/-0.12), (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION:
The results of this study show that highly trained soccer players are able to sustain, and more quickly recover from, high intensity intermittent exercise.

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Author information

Author/s: Edwards, A M (AM); Macfadyen, A M (AM); Clark, N (N);

Affiliation: Physical Education and Sport, School of Education, Reading University, Reading, UK. a.m.edwards(-atsign-)reading.ac.uk

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Clinical Trial; Comparative Study; Journal Article

Journal: The Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness (J Sports Med Phys Fitness), published in Italy. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2003-Mar; vol 43 (issue 1) : pp 14-20

Dates: Created 2003/03/11; Completed 2003/06/05; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12629457, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adolescent
Adult
Exercise Test - methods
Heart Rate - physiology
Humans
Lactic Acid - blood
Life Style

Male
Oxygen Consumption - physiology
Physical Education and Training - methods
Physical Fitness - physiology
Running - physiology
Soccer - physiology
Task Performance and Analysis

Associated Chemicals: Lactic Acid (50-21-5)

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