Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between: Peak oxygen uptake (VO2max) and running economy (RE) with physical measures associated with elite youth soccer performance obtained during soccer match-play. Seventeen highly trained youth soccer players (age: 13.3±0.4y) volunteered to participate. Initially player’s ventilatory threshold (VT) and VO2max was established using a treadmill protocol. On the subsequent visit, players ran for 4 min, at three different speeds (8km/h, 80%VT and 95%VT). Physical soccer-based performance was assessed using a maximal Yo-Yo IR1 and via Global positioning systems (GPS) derived variables obtained during three, 2x20min, 11 v 11 soccer matches. Partial correlations revealed significant relationships between relative VO2max and measures of physical soccer performance (r = 0.54–0.88). Moreover, measures of ventilatory equivalent (VEVO2), a determinant of RE, at all sub-maximal exercise intensities were inversely related to the volume (m) and percentage (%) of very high intensity activities. Current findings emphasise the need for high levels of cardio-respiratory fitness in high level youth soccer players, with superior levels of fitness being associated with a greater amount of high and very high intensity activity during soccer match-play.
Highlights
Soccer is described as a high-intensity intermittent sport, with elite players demonstrating a superior ability to perform high-intensity activities during competitive match-play in both adult [1] and youth [2] soccer
Partial correlations revealed significant relationships between VO2max and measures associated with physical soccer performance (r = 0.54–0.88), while measures of velocity at gaseous exchange threshold (GET) were only shown to be related to total distance (r = 0.51, P
With regards to measures and determinants of running economy (RE), only VEVO2 at all sub-maximal exercise intensities were inversely related to the volume (m) and percentage (%) of VHSR performed during the sterile soccer matches as well as the number of VHSR efforts (Table 2)
Summary
Soccer is described as a high-intensity intermittent sport, with elite players demonstrating a superior ability to perform high-intensity activities during competitive match-play in both adult [1] and youth [2] soccer. During match-play, low intensity activities account for the majority of an individual’s physical performance, at all levels of competition [3,4]. Research suggests that youth populations are better equipped to use oxidative energy pathways, when compared to adult populations, resulting in a greater utilisation of aerobic energy pathways for the same relative exercise intensity and reduced level of metabolic acidosis [5,6].determinants of cardio-respiratory (aerobic) fitness may have a significant impact upon youth players’ physical performance during soccer match-play and, in particular, their ability to perform repeated bouts of high intensity activities. Despite the equivocal nature of the relationship between VO2max and markers of match-play, the attainment of
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