Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of long term (prolonged) football training on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2) and isokinetic muscle strength in young football players and untrained boys of the same biological age. Twenty football competitive boys (mean age 14 ± 0 yrs; height 165.5 ± 8.5 cm; weight 59.9 ± 9.5 kg; years of training 7 ± 3) and eighteen untrained school boys (mean age 14 ± 0; height 168.22 ± 10.46 cm; weight 59.3 ± 9.9 kg) of the same biological age volunteered to participate in the study. Sexual maturation classified according to Tanner’s stage 3. The football players participated both in their school’s physical education program and in their football team training program while the untrained group participated only in their school’s physical education program (2–3 times per week for 40 min). All subjects were tested for maximal oxygen uptake (VO2) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) on the treadmill using an open circuit spirometry. The isokinetic peak torque values of quadriceps (Q) and hamstrings (H) as well as the H : Q strength ratios were recorded. Hcon : Qcon was calculated as the ratio of the peak concentric torque of H to the peak concentric torque of the Q. Results showed that the trained group had significantly lower heart rate in rest (p < 0.001), higher RER (p < 0.001), maximal blood lactate (BLmax) (p < 0.001) and higher VO2 max in both relative and absolute values (p < 0.001) compared to the untrained group. At angular velocities of 60 ° s−1 and 180 ° s−1 the relative peak torque of Q and H were significantly higher (Q = p < 0.01; H = p < 0.01). However, the absolute values of Q and H as well as the H : Q ratios at all angular velocities did not differ significantly between the two groups. The results suggest that systematic football training (intensity and duration) has a positive effect in metabolic capacity, cardiorespiratory system and neuromuscular function.
Highlights
Today, children start serious athletic training at earlier ages than ever before
The resting heart rate (HRrest) was significantly lower in the trained group compared to untrained group (p < 0.01)
At angular velocities of 60 ° s−1 and 180 ° s−1 the trained group had significantly higher peak torque value compared to untrained group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05 respectively)
Summary
Children start serious athletic training at earlier ages than ever before Both in young and adults, football is one of the most popular team sports in the world. During puberty (13–16 years of age) occur difference in body size, aerobic power, muscle strength and performance between boys of contrasting maturity status, e.g. early versus late maturity of the same age (Malina et al, 2004). Complicating factors in this controversy has been mainly the different experimental design of the studies in this area as well as the chronological ages of the subjects (Armstrong, 1997). Most of these studies have been cross-sectional and the effects of growth, development and heredity aspects may have been greater than those brought about by training (Mirwald et al, 1981; Vamvakoudis et al, 2001)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
