Resumen de Comparative Study of Field and Laboratory Tests for the Evaluation of Aerobic Capacity in Soccer Players
Thomas I. Metaxas, Nikolaos A. Koutlianos, Evangelia J. Kouidi, Asterios P. Deligiannis
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the maximal oxygen uptake (V O2max) 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 (T1) for the estimation of V O2max according to normogram values, and the Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test (T2) using portable telemetric ergospirometry; as well as 2 maximal exercise tests on the treadmill with continuous (T3) and intermittent (T4) protocols. The estimated V O2max values of the T1 test (56.33 ml·kg-1·min-1) were 10.5%, 11.4%, and 13.3% (p <= 0.05) lower than those of the T2 (62.96 ml·kg-1·min-1), T3 (63.59 ml·kg-1·min-1) and T4 (64.98 ml·kg-1·min-1) tests, respectively.
Significant differences were also found between the intermittent exercise protocols T1 and T3 (p <= 0.001) and the continuous exercise protocols T2 and T4 (p <= 0.001). There was a high degree of cross correlation between the V O2max values of the 3 ergospirometric tests (T2 versus T3, r = 0.47, p <= 0.005; T2 versus T4, r = 0.59, p <= 0.001; T3 versus T4 r = 0.79, p <= 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 followup during the playing season.
