VO2MAX AND TEAM SPORTS
PERFORMANCE
By François Gazzano, B.Sc.
Sports Science Specialist - Canadian Sports Centre Atlantic
Strength and conditioning coach - Université de Moncton
Scientific Writer – National Coaching Institute Montreal
President: Advanced Fitness Designs, Inc.
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VO2MAX AND REPEATED SPRINT ABILITY
Because of the intermittent, repetitive and high intensity
character of the plays encountered during team sports, it is
often believed that a high aerobic power (i.e.: VO2max)
plays an important role in enhancing the repeated sprint
ability.
Although this may seems surprising, recent sport science
research shows a poor relationship between VO2max and
the recovery capacity between repeated sprints.
Furthermore, some studies point the fact that for athletes
having a similar VO2max, significant recovery capacity
differences exist following maximal effort. This is the
reason why, some authors consider VO2max as a poor indicator of repeated sprint
performance capacity (Cooke et al., 1997).
©2006 François Gazzano. - All rights reserved.
1
If we consider the most recent studies, only a poor to moderate relationship (r<.50) exists
between VO2max and the capacity to produce short, maximal and repeated efforts. These
studies point the fact that the repeated sprint ability rely more of enhanced anaerobic
metabolisms and strength/power related fitness (relative strength, rate of force
development, power, strength-endurance, etc) than on those of the aerobic metabolism
(VO2max, anaerobic threshold, running economy).
For example, a recent study has examinated the effects of hypoxia on repeated sprints
performance (the oxygen concentration in ambient air has been reduced from 20,9% to
13%). Results from this study shows that even in a reduced oxygen intake environment,
maximal power outputs equal or inferior to 60s were unaffected. These authors
concludes that repeated sprint performance rely more on anaerobic pathways than on
aerobic power and efficiency (Weyand et al, 1999).
A New-Zealand study (Keogh, 1999) demonstrates that VO2max is not a factor that elite
and sub-elite rugby players. Discriminant factors were strength and power related
qualities. In addition, Singaporians researchers (Aziz et al., 2000) have established that
VO2max is moderately correlated with overall performance time, as measured during
repeated maximal sprinting (8x40m). These authors concludes that VO2max explain only
12% of the repeated sprint performance and that VO2max improvement will only have a
minor impact when performance rely on repeated maximal sprinting.
VO2MAX AND COMBAT EFFORTS
In contact team sports such as US football or rugby union athletes must often produce
powerful and repeated isometric or quasi-isometric muscular contractions for several
seconds (during which the muscle contracts powerfully without lengthening or
shortening). During isometric or quasi-isometric contractions are - even if the contraction
intensity is about 10% of the maximal isometric strength- a blood vessels occlusion
occurs within the contracted muscle groups (Murthy et al., 1997). This phenomenon
prevent the blood flow to bring oxygen to the cells and the removal of the ATP
combustion by-products. This situation, if lasting more than a few seconds, provoke a
quick rise in muscular fatigue and an important decrease in muscle performance capacity
(ie: when a player wrestle with an opponent or during the push phase of a scrum).
When the powerful contraction cease, the blood flow is re-enabled, oxygen brought back
to the cells and metabolites quickly removed.
Because of the quick repetition of these powerful isometric or quasi-isometric muscular
contractions that often occurs in contact team sports, muscular fatigue is a limitting factor
of performance. In addition, since blood flow is reduced during these efforts, VO2max
(oxygen consumption) is rarely solicited during these efforts or during the recovery phase
following these efforts. The limited role of VO2max in wrestling activities is illustrated
by a study demonstrating that elite and sub-elite wrestlers cannot be discriminated on the
base of their VO2max (Horswill, 1989).
©2006 François Gazzano. - All rights reserved.
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VO2MAX AND OVERALL ACTIVITY DURING A GAME
Although recent research results decrease the importance of VO2max and aerobic
components in team sports performance, a weak aerobic component is a limiting factor in
performance as well. Therefore, if an high VO2max is not a guarantee of performance in
repeated sprints or wrestling efforts, VO2max must be developed to an optimum level in
order to allow the athlete maintain a high activity level during the whole game without
demonstrating excessive fatigue.
CONCLUSION
From the latest sports-science studies it seems that once aerobic power has been
developed to an optimum level, further improvement in VO2max will have minimal
effects on performance (Aziz et al., 2000).
Development of VO2max can be performed successfully within a few weeks with
repeated sprint and/or sports-specific activities with or without ball (Finn, 2001).
An overemphasis on VO2max and aerobic endurance development (unless a player
demonstrates important weaknesses in that area) may provoke excessive fatigue, reduce
muscle mass and reduce the training time devoted to the optimum development of
neuromuscular, technical or tactical qualities. This can be extremely prejudicial to match
performance
and
should
be
avoided.
REFERENCES
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©2006 François Gazzano. - All rights reserved.
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©2006 François Gazzano. - All rights reserved.
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