title: Comparative study of field and laboratory tests for the evaluation of aerobic capacity in soccer players.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the maximal oxygen uptake (Vo(2)max) values in soccer players as assessed by field and laboratory tests. Thirty-five elite young soccer players were studied (mean age 18.1 +/- 1.0 years, training duration 8.3 +/- 1.5 years) in the middle of the playing season. All subjects performed 2 maximal field tests: the Yo-Yo endurance test (T(1)) for the estimation of Vo(2)max according to normogram values, and the Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test (T(2)) using portable telemetric ergospirometry; as well as 2 maximal exercise tests on the treadmill with continuous (T(3)) and intermittent (T(4)) protocols. The estimated Vo(2)max values of the T(1) test (56.33 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) were 10.5%, 11.4%, and 13.3% (p < or = 0.05) lower than those of the T(2) (62.96 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)), T(3) (63.59 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) and T(4) (64.98 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) tests, respectively. Significant differences were also found between the intermittent exercise protocols T(1) and T(3) (p < or = 0.001) and the continuous exercise protocols T(2) and T(4) (p < or = 0.001). There was a high degree of cross correlation between the Vo(2)max values of the 3 ergospirometric tests (T(2) versus T(3), r = 0.47, p < or = 0.005; T(2) versus T(4), r = 0.59, p < or = 0.001; T(3) versus T(4) r = 0.79, p < or = 0.001). It is necessary to use ergospirometry to accurately estimate aerobic capacity in soccer players. Nevertheless, the Yo-Yo field tests should be used by coaches because they are easy and helpful tools in the training program setting and for player follow-up during the playing season.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Sports Medicine, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. tommet@phed.auth.gr
authors.forename: Thomas I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Metaxas
authors.forename: Nikolaos A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Koutlianos
authors.forename: Evangelia J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Kouidi
authors.forename: Asterios P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Deligiannis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D019344:Lactic Acid