The application of soccer performance testing protocols to the non-elite player.
OBJECTIVE
The application of performance testing for the evaluation of non-elite soccer players has received little attention. The purpose of this investigation was to use tests developed for elite soccer players to evaluate performance in non-elite soccer players and compare performance test results between elite (literature) and non-elite (data) players.


METHODS
Thirteen male soccer players volunteered to participate. The tests included a treadmill VO2max test, 20 m sprint, vertical jump (VJ), 30 s Wingate cycle ergometer test, the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST), and 2 20-m multi-stage shuttle runs to exhaustion (fatigue test). Actual VO2max (absolute and relative) scores were correlated with the estimated VO2max scores (fatigue test), 20 m sprint, VJ, and 30 s Wingate using a Pearson's product-moment correlation. A paired t-test was conducted on the fatigue test trials.


RESULTS
Non-significant relationships were observed between actual VO2max scores and estimated VO2max from the fatigue test (absolute and relative terms). Non-significant relationships were also observed between peak and average power output (Wingate), 20 m sprint, and VJ. Mean heart rates (HRs) throughout the LIST was 165+/-7 bpm, which represented 88% of HRmax.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study demonstrate that to elicit physiological differences between elite and non-elite players, assessment must include both an aerobic and anaerobic component.
Siegler
J
J
Department of Physical Performance and Development, University of New Mexico Exercise Physiology Laboratories, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, USA. jsiegler@sfccnm.edu
Robergs
R
R
Weingart
H
H
D000328:Adult; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005221:Fatigue / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*