Adolescent Female Ball Players Oxygen Consumption and the Association to Playing Ability and Fitness Estimation

Abstract

Peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) is used to estimate aerobic capacity. Data regarding adolescence female ball players is limited. Furthermore, the association to coaches’ estimation of playing ability and aerobic fitness is scarce and can be of interest for players selection. PURPOSE: This study evaluates VO2peak of soccer and basketball elite adolescent female players from the Israeli Academy for Sport Excellence. The purpose of the current investigation was to evaluate VO2peak based on playing position and to compare VO2peak to coaches’ estimation of individual general playing ability and aerobic fitness. METHODS: Results of treadmill VO2peak testing were collected from medical records and were analyzed. Head coaches (national level) were asked to estimate general playing ability and aerobic fitness of each player on a scale of 5 (best) to 1 (worst). RESULTS: Twenty eight female soccer players (14.3-17.9 years) and 23 female basketball players (12.6-16.0 years) were included. Average VO2peak was 48 and 47.9 ml/kg/min, respectively. Forward soccer players had a better VO2peak comparing to other positions (goalkeepers=42.2, defenders=48.4, midfield=47.3, forwards=54.7ml/kg/min). Soccer coach playing ability (average=4.21) and fitness estimation (average=3.96) did not correlate with VO2peak results (Correlation Coefficient= 0.292, p=0.13 and 0.257, p=0.18 respectively). Center basketball players had the lowest and point guards the highest average VO2peak (centers=34.2, forwards=44.6, guards=50.5 and point guard=53.1 ml/kg/min). Basketball coach playing ability (average=3.14) and fitness estimation (average=2.86) correlate with VO2peak results (Correlation Coefficient= 0.464,p=0.03 and 0.547,p=0.008 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent female soccer and basketball players at different playing positions exhibited different VO2peak values as reported in the literature. Basketball coaches’ estimation of aerobic fitness and general playing ability were associated with VO2peak results whereas soccer coaches’ estimation did not. VO2peak may be considered as a parameter for team selection of ball game players game players, however in light of the inconsistence results, further research is required.