Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2-2011
Abstract
Velocity at lactate threshold and running economy must also be considered along with maximal oxygen uptake when testing elite soccer players during preseason. J Strength Cond Res 25(2): 414-419, 2011-Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o2max) has been traditionally used to explain physiologic differences among soccer teams of different ranking. However, other endurance markers may have greater discriminatory ability. The purpose of this study was to examine whether velocity at lactate threshold and running economy can be used to better discriminate endurance characteristics of soccer teams of different levels along with V̇o2max during preseason testing. One hundred twenty-nine professional Greek soccer players participating in the top 3 divisions underwent an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion using expired gas analysis and simultaneous blood lactate measurements. Velocity at lactate threshold was determined using the Dmax method, and running economy was measured at 12 km·h−1. Analyses of variation were used to compare for differences between divisions. Velocity at lactate threshold was the only variable that was statistically different between any 2 divisions. In every comparison, the higher division had the higher velocity at lactate threshold. The V̇o2max was statistically different only between the top 2 divisions. Running economy was statistically different between divisions with similar V̇o2max, with better running economy for the higher division in each comparison. These results indicate that velocity at lactate threshold can be used to better discriminate endurance characteristics of soccer teams of different level along with V̇o2max during preseason testing. Running economy may reveal differences between teams with similar V̇o2max.
Journal Title
Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research
Volume
25
Issue
2
First Page
414
Last Page
419
Recommended Citation
Ziogas, Giorgos; Patras, Kostas; Stergiou, Nikolaos; and Georgoulis, Anastasios D., "Velocity at Lactate Threshold and Running Economy Must Also be Considered Along With Maximal Oxygen Uptake When Testing Elite Soccer Players During Preseason" (2011). Journal Articles. 145.
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/biomechanicsarticles/145
Comments
This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in Ziogas GG, Patras KN, Stergiou N, Georgoulis AD. (2011). Velocity at lactate threshold and running economy must also be considered along with maximal oxygen uptake when testing elite soccer players during preseason. J Strength Cond Res. 25(2): 414-9 and can be found at http://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2011&issue=02000&article=00018&type=abstract.