Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
SEASONAL VARIATION IN FITNESS VARIABLES IN
PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYERS
José Antonio Casajús, MD, PhD
Institute:
Facultad de Educación
Universidad de Zaragoza
Adress:
San Juan Bosco 7
50009 Zaragoza
SPAIN
Phone:
34 976 761301
e-mail:
[email protected]
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Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There have been many studies on soccer, but few evaluations of the
physiological function of professional soccer players. The aim of this work was to evaluate
seasonal variation -from September to February- in anthropometric and physiological
variables in a Spanish professional soccer team (n=15). METHOD: anthropometric
measurements were obtained following the standarised techniques adopted by the
International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). A maximal
treadmill test with breath-by-breath gas analysis was carried out to evaluate the aerobic
condition and a Jump test was used to measure muscle performance and strength in the lower
limbs. RESULTS: There were no significant variations in body mass, although a statistically
significant decrease (p<0.05) in fat percentage and sum of six skinfolds was observed. The
somatotype (Heath-Carter) was mesomorphic without any change observed throughout the
& O2 max in the first test (65.5 ml.kg-1.min-1 ) had not changed by the
season. The mean V
second one (66.4 ml.kg-1.min-1). There were no significant differences in maximal heart rate
& O2 max (16.1 vs 15.8 km.h-1). At the
(185 vs 185 beats.min-1) and treadmill speed at V
anaerobic threshold, there were significant diferences (p<0.05) in speed (12.4 vs 13.1 km.h-1)
and heart rate (164 vs 168 beats.min-1) as the season progressed. When the data were
expressed as a percentage of maximal values obtained, we observed that the speed in the first
test was 77% and 83% in the second test. For heart rate, values were 89% and 91%, and for
oxygen uptake 77% and 79%. The Jump test did not show any significant change during the
season. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude from these results that professional soccer players
& O2 max - and the
have good fitness from the beginning of the Spanish League -with a high V
changes observed depend on the initial values.
Keywords: Soccer, seasonal variation, anthropometry, physiology.
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Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
Introduction
Soccer is, from a physiological view, an activity demanding of each of the energy systems. As
several authors have described (1,2,3) soccer is a sport characterised by high intensity shortterm actions, with pauses of varying length in between. The duration of the match, 90
minutes, implies a large provision of energy by the aerobic system. It has been estimated,
through measurement of heart rate, that the energy provision of the aerobic system during a
match is between 70% and 80% (2,3,4). In laboratory conditions, this metabolic pathway is
& O2 max ) and the “anaerobic
assessed mainly by measurement of the maximal aerobic power ( V
threshold”. On the other hand, decisive actions are explosive and so anaerobic power is
fundamental.
Although in recent years many studies on soccer have been published, very few focused on
repeated measurements in professional soccer perhaps because professional soccer players are
not frequent visitors to the laboratory for physiological capacity tests, except for health or
contract reasons at the begining of the season.
As in all team sports where a ball is involved, it becomes rather difficult to propose physical
tasks in a laboratory context that could be relevant to real action. Cycle ergometry lacks
specificity for soccer players, but it has been pointed out (5) that the treadmill provides the
appropiate mode of exercise for testing these athletes. Although there are some proposals of
specific protocols for soccer (6,7), our experience is that soccer players adapt themselves
perfectly to a progressive protocol, whether it is continuous or not.
In those sports where the competitive season lasts from 8 to 9 months, it becomes rather
difficult to maintain an optimal physical fitness throughout, although maintaining fitness is a
target for all the teams at the beginning of the championship. In that sense, very few studies
deal with the changes of different training parameters in the laboratory during the soccer
season (8).
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in different anthropometric and
physiological parameters, obtained in two separated stages during the league championship
(September and February) in a Spanish professional, high level, soccer team.
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Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
Materials and Methods
Subjects
The sample consisted of 15 male soccer players from the Spanish First Division (La Liga)
with excellent national and international results. The first test session was conducted at the
beginning of the championship (in September, after five weeks of training), and the second
session at the beginning of the second round of the championship (in February). During that
time, players trained daily as usual and played one or two official matches weekly (national
and/or international).
Prior to each exercise test the soccer players had to undergo medical examination, which
included blood analytical screening, ECG at rest, basal lung function tests and blood pressure
measurements.
Anthropometric measurements
Fourteen anthropometric variables (stature, body mass, biepicondylar humerus and femur
width, arm flexed and tensed and calf girths, and triceps, subscapular, supraspinale,
abdominal, front thigh and medial calf skinfolds) were obtained on all subjects by the author,
following the standarised techniques adopted by the International Society for the
Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) (9,10,11). The Technical Error of Measurement
(TEM) was lower than 5% for skinfolds and lower than 2% for the other measurements.
Anthropometric instruments used in this study included a stadiometer, balance, small sliding
caliper (Rabonne Chesterman. Silverflex.U.K.), anthropometric tape (GPM Siber-Hegner
Maschinen. Switzerland) and skinfold caliper (Holtain. Holtain LTD. Crymych U.K.).
Percentage fat was estimated according to Carter’s equation (12) used in the study of body
composition in the Montreal Olympic Games Anthropological Project. The Heath-Carter
anthropometric method was used for somatotyping (13,14,15).
Aerobic test
Each subject performed an incremental (ramp pattern) exercise test on a treadmill (Jaeger
Laufergotest) for determination of exercise capacity, lactate threshold (Tlac, by means of V& O2 , defined as the V
& O2 averaged
Slope method) (16,17) and peak oxygen uptake (peak V
over the last 30 seconds of exercise). After a 10 or 15 minutes warm-up, the test began at a
3% grade and a speed of 8 km.h-1. The grade was held constant and the speed increased 1
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Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
km.h-1 every minute until exhaustion. The heart rate was monitored electrocardiographically
and displayed simultaneously on the screen of the oscilloscope (Hellige Servimed). Gas
exchange measurements were made breath-by-breath during the test and for three minutes of
the recovery (Medical Graphics- Cardiopulmonary Exercise System CPX).
Jump test
Four performance tests according to Bosco (18,19) were included to evaluate the explosive
power of the leg extensor muscles on a force platform connected with a digital timer (0.001
s.) (Ergo-jump Bosco System, Made by Globus.). The tests used were Squat Jump (SJ),
Counter-Movement Jump (CMJ), “With Arms Movement Jump”(WAMJ) and the 15-seconds
test. For the squat jump the subject jumped vertically from a squatting position, legs bent at
90º, without using his arms. In the CMJ the subject jumped vertically from a standing
position, without using his arms (arms at both sides, on the hip). In the WAMJ the player
jumped vertically from a standing position, using his arms helping to increase the height of
the jump. Finally in the 15- seconds jumping test, the player jumped as in CMJ for 15 seconds
to allow estimation of the maximal mechanical power of the leg extensor muscles during
jumping.
All subjects went through two training sessions to familiarise themselves with the tests. The
tests were completed three times and the best technically performed was recorded for the SJ,
CMJ and WAMJ. The 15-seconds test was performed only on a single ocasion.
Statistical methods
The results are given as means ± SD. Differences between the first and second tests were
determined by tests-t for paired data. A probability level of 0.05 was chosen.
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Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
Results
The characteristics of the players in age, stature, body mass, body composition and
somatotype are given in the Table 1. The significant differences in age reflected the time that
had passed between the tests, whilst values in stature and mass remained unchanged. The sum
of the six skinfolds showed a remarkable decrease, statistically significant, by the second test
occasion. The analysis of single skinfold thickness values showed significant differences in
supraspinale and medial calf. This decrease in the sum of skinfolds accorded with a lowering
of body fat percentage. The mean somatotype in both occasions was mesomorphic, without
significant differences in the components, although a clear drop in endomorphy was evident
at the second test. Fourteen players did the treadmill test on the first occasion and eleven on
the second occasion (two goalkeepers and one forward dropped out). The statistical analysis
of the exercise test data was made with eleven pairs.
At the “anaerobic threshold”, there were significant differences in speed (12.4 ±1.5 km.h-1 in
the first test and 13.1±1.4 km.h-1 in the second) and heart rate (164 vs 168 beats.min-1) (Table
2). There was also an increase in oxygen uptake in the second test, though without reaching
significance. If these data are expressed as a percentage of maximal values, the speed in the
first test was 77% and in the second 83%. For heart rate, values were 89% and 91%, and for
& O2 max was 16.1±1.4 km.h-1 in the first test
oxygen uptake 77% and 79%. Maximal speed at V
and 15.8±1.2 km.h-1 in the second (Table 2). More or less the same maximal heart rate was
observed on both occasions (185 beats.min-1), and the slight increase in maximal oxygen
uptake (65.5 vs 66.4 ml.kg-1.min-1) was not significant. There were no significant differences
in any of maximal measures.
The jump tests (Table 3) did not show any significant differences either between both test
occasions. There was a small increase of 1.7 watts.kg-1 in the 15-second jump test at the
second test occasion.
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Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
Discussion
The regular and periodic testing of professional soccer players has proved to be rather
difficult as the present results show. From the 21 members of the team, 18 came to the first
test, 17 to the second, 15 performed both, but only 11 went through all the tests in both
phases. An excessive number of matches, frequent injuries, the continous travelling and the
lack of habit in professional players of going through physiological tests in laboratory
conditions, made this task difficult.
The stature and body mass of the soccer players in this study (1.80±0.07 m and 78.5±6.6 kg)
are similar to those reported in the literature, only being a little heavier than those described
as typical (20).
The study of body composition is important in those sports where body weight must be
moved repeatedly against gravity. Among the various methods of assesssing body
composition, the bicompartmental anthropometric method is most frequently used in soccer.
Although there is no specific formula to estimate fat percentage in soccer players (probably
Faulkner’s being the most frequent), Carter’s method was chosen because it uses six skinfold
thicknesses -triceps, subscapular, supraspinale, abdominal, front thigh and medial calf- and
also because it has been employed in different anthropometric projects concerned with
Olympic athletes. The mean percentage body fat in this sample (8.2%) was slighthy above
that reported by us for the Spanish Soccer team participating in the 1990 World Cup (21).
The profile or sum of the six skinfolds thickness is another simple technique to evaluate body
composition and fat distribution. International soccer players have values of 50 mm (22), a
sum which is similar to the present value. Novack (23), cited by Carter and Yuhasz (24),
reported a sum of 46.4 mm in Olympic soccer players in Munich 1972. The results of this
study are similar to those obtained for other team sports such as field hockey, 55.1 mm (24).
The mean somatotype was mesomorphic (2.4-4.8-2.3). Comparing this with other soccer
teams (Table 4) the somatotypes are similar, only slightly different from the English team,
which appears to be more ectomorphic and less mesomorphic. A soccer player’s typical
somatotype is characterized by a muscular make up, a fact that could be connected with great
muscle power, and whose morphological configuration is nearer to that of sprinters (1.7-5.11.9) than to long distance runners (1.4-4.2-3.7) (12). From the first to the second tests, the
training influence upon body composition is notable in a fat reduction and increase in fat free
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Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
mass, with hardly any variation in body mass. There was a significant reduction in the sum of
six skinfolds and in fat percentage. These data show that body mass gives incomplete
information with respect to body composition.
The treadmill is the most appropiate ergometer in the evaluation of soccer players. The results
& O2 max (maximun speed) and “anaerobic
referring to the speed reached on the treadmill at V
threshold” speed, can hardly be compared to other studies as the protocols differ. In this study
the grade was held constant (3%) and the speed increased 1 km.h-1 every minute until
exhaustion.
& O2 max for top-level players tend to be high, as they allow a high
The average values of V
& O2 max for
intensity of exercise throughout the match. Several studies have determined the V
top level players as between 51-69 ml.kg-1.min-1 (Table 5). In a study by Bangsbo (3) of
& O2 max were observed between regular and nonDanish top-class players, no differences in V
regular first team members. In that case players obtained mean values of 60.4 and 60.5 ml.kg1
.min-1 respectively which, according to the author, indicates that this variable is not crucial to
high performance in soccer. Futhermore, Faina et al. (25) found that amateur soccer players
had a higher aerobic power than professionals (64.1 and 58.9 ml.kg-1.min-1, respectively), and
& O2 max and
Roi et al. (26) did not find a significant relation, in an Italian team, between the V
the final position obtained in the league. Nevertheless, data for Hungarian players (27)
& O2 max of the team and finishing
showed a high rank-order correlation between mean V
& O2 max (65.5 ml.kgposition in the Hungarian First Division Championship. In this study the V
1
.min-1, range: 44.6-80.0) is within the expected values in international soccer players, being,
in the case of a mildfielder, nearer to the values of middle distance runners tested in our
laboratory (88.1 ml.kg-1.min-1 -Gold Medal in Barcelona 1992-). The mean values found in
the literature vary between 50-65 ml.kg-1.min-1, showing a large variation according to
differences in standard of play and positional role (usually the mildfielders have higher
aerobic power values than the players in other positions, 25,28). The maximal heart rate of
185 beats.min-1 is similar to that reported by Malomski (29) in a laboratory test on the
treadmill. In competition, maximal heart rates of 185-190 beats.min-1 are reached (30,31,32).
No significant differences in maximal values were found throughout the season. These results
& O2 max was
disagree with those of Nowacki et al. and others (4,6,33), where an increase in V
& O2 max on the first occasion was so high that it was difficult to effect
observed. Possibly, the V
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Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
an improvement during the season. Roi et al. (26) did not observe significant differences in
Italian soccer players for several years. Also, Bangsbo and Mizuno (34) did not find
significant changes in oxygen uptake in four soccer players who alternated rest and training
periods (3 weeks detraining vs 4 weeks retraining), but they did find significant variations in
20 Danish players who had a 7-week training before a European Cup tournament (3).
Anaerobic threshold may be defined as the work-load just below the point where steady-state
exercise can continue for a prolonged time. In this study the speed at the ventilatory anaerobic
threshold was 12.4 km.h-1 in the first test and 13.1 km.h-1 in the second. Some authors locate
the anaerobic threshold between 13.5 and 15 km.h-1 (3,4,33,35). Bangsbo (4) established a
blood lactate accumulation of 3 mmol.l-1, at 11.77 km.h-1 with a 5% grade. This discrepancy
between results could be due to the grade used in the protocol. As a percentage of maximal
values, oxygen uptake, heart rate and speed were higher than in other Spanish soccer players
& O2 max in English League First Division players (36). These values, as a
(33) and 77% V
percentage at the anaerobic threshold, should be at the same level of or above the means
& O2 max (2,5) and 85-90 % maximal heart rate
obtained during a soccer match, 75-80% V
(31,37,38).
There were significant differences in speed and heart rate at the “anaerobic threshold”
between the first and second tests and a slight, statistically non-significant, increase in oxygen
uptake. These results may be related to low initial fitness and a positive influence of training
upon aerobic fitness. At the beginning of the second round of the championship the team’s
aerobic profile was highly satisfactory, gaining third place and winning the King Cup. These
results showed modifications at the anaerobic threshold during the championship as has been
reported by several authors previously (3,4,6,33,39).
The mean values of anaerobic power were similar to those reported by Bosco (40) and Faina
et al. (25) in Italian professional soccer players. Faina et al. and Bosco (40) reported mean
values of 34.2±4 cm in squat jump and 38.4 cm respectively. In a Finnish study (41) values of
42.5±2.5 cm in CMJ and 49.3±4.3 cm in the WAMJ were reported. The elastic component of
this performance (6.44%) was slightly lower than that reported in other sports (42) and in
soccer (25). For the 15-second jump test the results were similar to those obtained in other
studies, being around 26-27 watts.kg-1 (42). Taïna and colleagues observed in this type of
exercise
higher
values
for
anaerobic
power
(SJ=45±2.16,
WAMJ=65.3±2.05) but they did not use the Ergo-Jump Bosco System (43).
9
SCM=53.3±1.24,
Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
There were no significant differences between the first and second jump tests. Lack of
seasonal variations in vertical jumping was also shown by Reilly (44) in English professional
soccer players, whose performance in this test improved as soon as the competitive season
was underway, after which no further changes were noted.
In summary, although physiological testing in laboratory conditions enables an evaluation of
soccer players’ fitness to be conducted, monitoring throughout the season is quite complicated
because of the championship’s demands. From the beginning of the season, professional
& O2 max , which is maintained for
soccer players seem to have a good fitness level, with a high V
6-8 months. The changes observed during the season show a great dependence on the initial
values. In this study variations were observed only in body composition and in “anaerobic
threshold”.
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Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
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J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
Table 1- Age, stature, body mass, body composition and somatotype.
n=15
First test
Second test
Age (years)
25.8 ± 3.19
26.3 ± 3.15
Stature (m)
1.80 ± 0.07
1.80 ± 0.08
Body mass (kg)
78.6 ± 6.60
78.5 ± 6.45
Σ 6 Skinfolds (mm)
57.0 ± 8.67
52.9 ± 8.61
*
Body fat %
8.6 ± 0.91
8.2 ± 0.91
*
LBM (kg)
71.9 ± 6.01
72.1 ± 5.77
Endomorphy
2.6 ± 0.54
2.4 ± 0.52
Mesomorphy
4.9 ± 0.85
4.8 ± 0.88
Ectomorphy
2.3 ± 0.72
2.3 ± 0.73
*
Somatotype:
Values are means ± SD
* Significant differences (p<0.05) between first and second test
Table 2.- Maximal data and ventilatory anaerobic threshold
First test
Second test
(n=14)
(n=12)
N=1
Maximal data
Speed (km.h-1)
16.1 ± 1.4
15.8 ± 1.2
Heart rate (beats.min-1)
185 ± 4.0
185 ± 7.0
& O2 (ml.kg-1.min-1)
V
65.5 ± 8.0
66.4 ± 7.6
& O2 (l.min-1)
V
5.1 ± 0.4
5.20 ± 0.76
Speed (km.h-1)
12.4 ±1.5
13.1 ± 1.0
*
Heart rate (beats.min-1)
164 ± 6.0
168 ± 6.0
*
& O2 (ml.kg-1.min-1)
V
50.2 ± 8.0
52.7± 8.5
Anaerobic threshold
Values are means ± SD
* Significant differences (p<0.05) between first and second test (n=11)
15
Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
Table 3- Jump test.
n=15
First test
Second test
Squat Jump (cm)
39.0 ± 3.3
39.2 ± 3.1
Counter-Movement Jump (cm)
41.4 ± 2.7
40.8 ± 2.7
CMJ-SJ ratio %
6.4 ± 6.8
4.5 ± 8.3
With Arms Movement Jump (cm)
47.8 ± 2.9
46.7 ± 2.8
WAMJ-CMJ ratio %
15.8 ± 6.1
14.9 ± 6.7
15 sec ( watts.kg-1)
26.1 ± 3.7
27.8 ± 2.9
Values are means ± SD
Table 4.- Somatotype of soccer teams.
Reference
Present work
Brazilian National Team (45)
French League, First Division (46)
English League, First Division (36)
Top Hungarian Soccer Players (27)
Portuguese League, First Division (47)
Spanish National Team (21)
Spanish League, Second Division (22)
n
15
20
17
24
17
17
Values are means ± SD
16
Somatotype
2.4 - 4.8 - 2.3
2.6 - 4.7 - 2.3
2.8 - 5.0 - 2.4
2.6 - 4.2 - 2.8
2.1 - 5.1 - 2.3
2.8 - 5.6 - 2.2
2.2 - 5.1 - 1.9
2.5 - 4.9 - 2.2
Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players
J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2001; 41:463-9
Table 5.- Maximal oxygen uptake in top level soccer players testing in treadmill
Author
Team
N
Present Work
Spanish First Division
Hollman et al. (48)
German National Team
Faina et al. (25)
Italian professionals
Apor P. (27)
Hungarian First Division
Rahkila et al. (41)
Finnish National Team
Bangsbo et al. (28)
Danish semi and professionals
Puga et al. (49)
Italian First Division
Roi et al. (26)
Italian Professionals
Matkovic et al. (50) Croatian First Division
Malomsoki (29)
Hungary
Ramos et al. (33)
Spanish First Division
Gonzalez-Ruano (51) Spanish Olympic Team
Values are means ± SD
17
14
17
27
10
31
14
19
44
11
12
35
Maximal oxygen uptake
(ml.kg -1.min-1)
65.5
62.0
58.9
66.3
56.3
60.0
59.6
51.2
52.1
62.7
61.1
55.9
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
±
8.0
4.5
6.1
3.8
3.0
1.0
4.5
4.1
10.7
5.2
6.7
3.0