English

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) and the Maximum Aerobic Speed (MAS) with direct and portable measurement in field, in professional soccer players using the UNCa test. Material and method: 9 professional soccer players (age: 26.8±5.12 years, mass: 78.7±5.8 kg, height: 177.3±5.8 cm), belonging to the first and promotion categories of AFA soccer league, were measured in the field with the UNCa test using direct gas measurement. A subsample of 3 players was also measured on treadmill. On treadmill and in the field, the same Medgraphics® VO2000 gas analyzer was used. Results: In the field, a VO2max of 52.18±5.86 ml/kg/min, and a MAS of 14.8±1.3 km/h were found. Also, a correlation between VO2max and MAS of r = 0.75, and between MAS and the final speed reached (FSR) r=0.91. In the subsample, no differences were found between treadmill and field in VO2max; 46.6±1.4 ml/kg/min and 48.1±2.2 ml/kg/min (p <0.001) respectively. Differences between MAS are shown; 17.0±0.0 km/h for the treadmill and 13.7±1.5 km/h for the field (p <0.001) replicating the protocol. Conclusion: If professional players of the Argentine Football Association (AFA) were measured directly and in the field, applying the UNCa test for the first time. The VO2max and MAS values were slightly lower than those published in the bibliography