Abstract
The
purpose
of this study was to describe
structural and
functional characteristics of elite Yugoslav soccer players and to
make comparisons with non-elite counterparts.
Method
and results. One of the teams in the study (Squad A; nA
=
16) competed in the professional First National League while the
other team (Squad B; nB = 16) played in the
amateur Third
Division. Physiological measurements were made of 32 players (4
goalkeepers, 16 defense players, 16 midfield players and 8 forward
players - equally represented in both teams), during the final week
of preparatory training period. Subjects from Squad A were older
(23.8 ± 3.4 vs. 21.5 ± 3.2 years, respectively; P
<
0.05) and more experienced (7.5 ± 3.1 vs. 4.8 ±
2.8
years, respectively; P < 0.01) as compared to players in Squad
B.
Players from Squad B had significantly lower VO2
max
values compared with elite subjects in Squad A (42.9 ± 6.6
vs.
53.5 ± 8.6 ml·kg-1·min-1,
respectively; P < 0.01). In addition, the highest heart rate
frequencies during the last minute of the 20-m shuttle run test were
lower in elite players (183.1 ± 6.1 vs. 189.9 ±
8.1
beats·min-1, respectively; P <
0.01). Vertical
jump height was significantly higher in Squad A (47.6 ± 5.7
vs. 46.2 ± 5.5 cm, respectively; P < 0.05) and
estimated
percentage of fast muscle fibers (fast twitches) were higher in Squad
A as compared to Squad B (62.8 ± 7.7 vs. 57.4 ±
8.1%,
respectively; P < 0.05).
Results.
The results of the present study support previous investigations
indicating a strong relationship between aerobic fitness, anaerobic
power and performance results in elite soccer.
Keywords:
soccer,
body composition, VO2 max, physical
endurance, muscle
fiber types