title: Relationship among repeated sprint tests, aerobic fitness, and anaerobic fitness in elite adolescent soccer players.
abstract: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships among aerobic fitness, anaerobic capacity, and performance indices of 2 different repeated sprint test (RST) protocols in a group of 33 elite adolescent soccer players (age range 16-18 years). All participants performed 4 tests: an aerobic power test (20-m shuttle run), the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT), and 2 different RST protocols (12 x 20 and 6 x 40 m). Significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between the fastest sprint (r = 0.618), total sprint time (r = 0.709), and performance decrement (PD; r = 0.411) of the 2 RST protocols. A significant negative correlation was found between the PD in the 12 x 20-m RST and calculated peak VO2(r = -0.60, p < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between PD of the 6 x 40-m RST and calculated peak VO2(r = -0.32, p = 0.09). The mean power in the WAnT was significantly correlated with the fastest sprint and the total sprint time of the 6 x 40-m protocol (r = -0.42 and -0.45, respectively) and with the total sprint time of the 12 x 20-m protocol (r = -0.47). There were no correlations between other indices of the WAnT and the 2 RSTs. Despite identical total work, different RST protocols represent different physiological implications. The aerobic system plays a significant role in the maintenance of intensity level during a soccer game, which is characterized by short bursts of activities. Anaerobic performance of repeated brief efforts imposes different physiological stress than a single prolonged activity and, thus, may reflect different physiological capabilities. Therefore, anaerobic testing procedures should consist of specific protocols that mimic the athlete's specific sports activity pattern.
authors.affiliation: Zinman College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel. meckel@wincol.ac.il
authors.forename: Yoav
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Meckel
authors.forename: Oren
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Machnai
authors.forename: Alon
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eliakim
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015308:Anaerobic Threshold / Q000502:physiology*; D000886:Anthropometry; D054874:Athletic Performance; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000379:methods*; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011336:Probability; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors