Abstract
Background: SAFT90 is a specific multidirectional fatigue protocol that imitates the internal and external load of soccer match-play. Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of SAFT90 on lactate production, heart rate (HR) and rate of subjective perceived exertion (RPE) expressed by Borg scale (6-20). Methods: Fourteen male elite junior soccer players (age 15.9 ± 0.2 years, stature 180.8 ± 5.5 cm, body mass 69.8 ± 5.8 kg, body fat 8.1 ± 3.2%, VO2max 57.6 ± 4.7 ml ⋅ kg-1 ⋅ min-1, maximum heart rate 192.8 ± 4.6 beats ⋅ min-1) participated in this study. Lactate concentration, HR and RPE were monitored during specific fatigue exercise protocol SAFT90. Results: Results of HR showed mean values of 153 ± 15 beats ⋅ min-1, mean blood lactate concentration was 1.9 ± 0.5 mmol ⋅ L-1. A mean value of RPE was 11.0 ± 1.4 that corresponds to "fairly light" exercise. No significant change was found between consecutive SAFT90 stages for HR and lactate concentration. For Borg scale, there were significant increases between stages 20 min and 45 min and between stages 70 min and 90 min. Change between stages 45 and 70 min was not significant. Conclusions: In respect to study results, we suggest that specific fatigue protocol SAFT90 applied in U16 soccer players appears to be insufficient in terms of exercise intensity to achieve comparable lactate concentration, HR and RPE values with a soccer match.
Highlights
Soccer as the most popular game in the world is played by men and women throughout all age categories and levels
The pooled mean of all SAFT90 stages was significantly increased compared to the baseline value for all studied variables, namely heart rate (HR), lactate concentration, and the Borg scale
The effect size was extremely large for HR and very large for Borg scale, while for lactate concentration was only small
Summary
Soccer as the most popular game in the world is played by men and women throughout all age categories and levels. The level of heart rate (HR) is close to anaerobic threshold, usually 80–90% of maximal HR (Dellal et al, 2010; Stølen et al, 2005) Due to Another factor influencing soccer performance is somatic profile. The main aim of this study was to assess the response of selected internal body load indicators such as lactate, HR, and RPE to SAFT90 exercise protocol in male youth soccer players. SAFT90 is a specific multidirectional fatigue protocol that imitates the internal and external load of soccer match-play. Conclusions: In respect to study results, we suggest that specific fatigue protocol SAFT90 applied in U16 soccer players appears to be insufficient in terms of exercise intensity to achieve comparable lactate concentration, HR and RPE values with a soccer match
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