Individual Anaerobic Threshold Prediction for Young Soccer Players

Abstract

1424 Soccer is one of the most popular sport in the world. The individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) has been considered a good parameter for aerobic evaluation, maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) determination and exercise training prescription. However, the IAT identification from blood lactate ([lac]) response needs expensive equipments and technicians doing blood collection for [lac] measurement. Simões et al. (1996, 1999) have proposed some predictive equations for MLSS assessment in runners and swimmers, and Swensen et al(1999), Harnish et al(2001) and Campbell et al(2003) in cyclists. PURPOSE: To suggest an indirect IAT (IATind) identification for young soccer players through 3km running performance. METHODS: Seventeen young brazilian soccer players (15.1 ± 1.1yr; 59.2 ± 5.7kg; 169.8 ± 5.8cm; 12.2 ± 2.7% body fat) were submitted to the following running tests in different days on a 400m track: 1) 3km time trial for mean velocity determination (3kmvel); 2) 8 × 800m bouts at intensities corresponding to 80, 82, 84, 87, 89, 92, 94 and 103% 3kmvel, with 1min of recovery between these intensities. A 25μL of capillary blood were collected from ear lobe during recovery between bouts and at 3, 6, 9 and 11min recovery after 8th bout for [lac] measurements (YSI 2300 STAT) and further IAT identification. RESULTS: A high correlation was found between 3kmvel (235.0 ± 16.8mmin−1) and IAT (205.7 ± 16.5m. min−1) (r = 0.93; P<0.0001). Linear regression between 3kmvel and IAT velocity resulted in the following predictive IAT equation (IATind): IATind (mmin−1) = [(0.92 × 3kmvel) – 10.35] CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the IAT determined by blood lactate measurements is highly correlated with 3km running performance and that this performance can be used to estimate indirectly IAT. Other studies should be done to verify the validity of this IAT indirect assessment.