Physiological Performance Measures in Female Collegiate Soccer Players

Abstract

Although participation in women’s soccer has increased dramatically in the last two decades, the research into the physiological demands and physical characteristics of players is limited. PURPOSE: To compare anaerobic and aerobic power in female intercollegiate soccer players with a reference group of elite international players. METHODS: Subjects were 28 members of a division I university women’s soccer team. Maximal aerobic power (VO2 max) was determined during an incremental treadmill run using a MOXUS metabolic measurement system. The Margaria-Kalaman power test was timed using switch mats to determine anaerobic power. Bone mineral density and percent body fat were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Anaerobic power comparisons were made by converting literature values for vertical jump heights to watts by the Lewis formula. RESULTS: VO2 max was similar between the collegiate players and the reference group of international players (52.7 ± 5.8 vs 51.5 ± 3.3 ml/kg/min for collegiate and reference players respectively). Similarly, anaerobic power was not different between the collegiate and the international players (841.2 ± 112.4 vs 808.8 ± 109.5 watts). Height (165 ± 6 vs 169 ± 2 cm) and mass (61 ± 7 vs 61 ± 2) were similar between the two groups; however the collegiate players had a higher percent body fat than the reference players (25.9 ± 5.2 vs 17.5 ± 2.6 %). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the female collegiate players have aerobic and anaerobic power comparable to that reported for international (primarily European) elite female soccer players. Although the collegiate players were of similar height and body mass as the international players, the collegians had considerably higher percent body fat.