title: Maximal aerobic power characteristics of male professional soccer players, 1989-2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this investigation was to quantify maximal aerobic power (VO2max) in soccer as a function of performance level, position, age, and time of season. In addition, the authors examined the evolution of VO2max among professional players over a 23-y period.
  
  
  METHODS
  1545 male soccer players (22 ± 4 y, 76 ± 8 kg, 181 ± 6 cm) were tested for VO2max at the Norwegian Olympic Training Center between 1989 and 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No differences in VO2max were observed among national-team players, 1st- and 2nd-division players, and juniors. Midfielders had higher VO2max than defenders, forwards, and goalkeepers (P < .05). Players <18 y of age had ~3% higher VO2max than 23- to 26-y-old players (P = .016). The players had 1.6% and 2.1% lower VO2max during off-season than preseason (P = .046) and in season (P = .021), respectively. Relative to body mass, VO2max among the professional players in this study has not improved over time. Professional players tested during 2006-2012 actually had 3.2% lower VO2max than those tested from 2000 to 2006 (P = .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides effect-magnitude estimates for the influence of performance level, player position, age, and season time on VO2max in men's elite soccer. The findings from a robust data set indicate that VO2max values ~62-64 mL · kg-1 · min-1 fulfill the demands for aerobic capacity in men's professional soccer and that VO2max is not a clearly distinguishing variable separating players of different standards.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian Olympic Federation, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Espen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tønnessen
authors.forename: Erlend
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hem
authors.forename: Svein
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Leirstein
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Haugen
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Seiler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult