The Influence of Anaerobic and Aerobic Fitness on the Technical Skill Ability of National Elite Male Under-18 African Soccer Players

Abstract

Aim. Elite level soccer players cover about 10 km during a 90-minute game. Although running is the predominant activity in soccer, explosive movements such as sprinting, jumping and kicking are important for successful performance. The aims of this study were to determine the technical skill ability, aerobic- and anaerobic fitness of elite male under-18 African soccer players; and to determine whether a relationship exists between the technical skill ability and aerobic and anaerobic fitness. Methods. One-hundred-and-sixty-nine (n=169) elite male under-18 soccer players from eleven African countries participated in the study. Technical skill ability (dribbling, crossing, shooting, passing) was assessed using four soccer-specific tests. Aerobic and anaerobic fitness was measured through a 20-metre multi-stage shuttle run test and a repeated sprint ability test respectively. Results. The results showed that VO2max level (47.71 ml·kg-1·min-1) was much lower than indicated in literature (60 ml·kg- 1·min-1). An average total distance of 704.36 m was recorded for the repeated sprint ability test. A positive correlation was found between dribbling and both aerobic and anaerobic fitness. Results indicated differences among various playing positions with forwards producing best performance in the passing and shooting skills test, forwards and defenders possessing the highest level of aerobic fitness and goalkeepers displaying the lowest level of aerobic and anaerobic fitness. Conclusion. Aerobic and anaerobic fitness influenced the players’ ability to dribble. The African soccer players generally have a lower level of both aerobic and anaerobic fitness. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n27p1704