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Can maximal aerobic running speed be predicted from submaximal cycle ergometry in soccer players? The effects of age, anthropometry and positional roles

Conference Paper · November 2015

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Pantelis Theo Nikolaidis Ioannis Tasiopoulos

University of West Attica University of Peloponnese
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 Can maximal aerobic running speed be predicted from submaximal cycle ergometry in soccer players? The effects
of age, anthropometry and positional roles
Nikolaidis, P.T.1,2 & Tasiopoulos, I.1,3
1 Department of Physical and Cultural Education, Hellenic Army Academy, Athens; 2 Exercise Physiology Laboratory “Pantelis Nikolaidis”, Nikaia;
3 Department of Human Movement and Quality of Life, University of Peloponnese, Sparta

Introduction Table 3. Physical characteristics and aerobic capacity of participants according playing
position.
Considering maximal aerobic running speed (MAS) as a useful tool to evaluate aerobic
capacity and monitor training load in soccer, there is an increasing need to develop
indirect assessment methods of MAS, e.g., submaximal tests (1-5). The aim of this
study was to examine the prediction of MAS from the physical working capacity in heart
rate 170 b.min-1 test (PWC170).
The letters G, D, M and F denote goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders and forwards, respectively, and when appear as exponents indicate
difference from the respective group. BMI denotes body mass index, BF body fat, HRmax maximal heart rate, MAS maximal aerobic speed
Methods and PWC170 physical working capacity in heart rate 170 b.min-1.

Adolescent (n=67) and adult soccer players (n=82) were examined for anthropometric
characteristics and performed Conconi test to assess MAS and PWC170. PWC170 was After adjusting for the effect of age, MAS was moderately correlated with absolute
performed according to Eurofit guidelines on a cycle ergometer (828 Ergomedic, (r=0.33, p<0.001) and relative PWC170 (r=0.40, p<0.001). These correlations were 0.30
Monark, Sweden). Seat height was adjusted to each participant’s satisfaction, and toe (p=0.015) and 0.49 (p<0.001), respectively in adolescents, and 0.40 and 0.48 in adults.
clips with straps were used to prevent the feet from slipping off the pedals. Participants Regression analysis indicated body fat percentage, PWC170, HRmax and age as
were instructed before the tests that they should pedal with steady cadence 80 predictors of MAS (R=0.61, R2=0.37 and SEE=1.3 km.h-1, in total; R=0.74, R2=0.55 and
revolutions per minute, which was given by both visual (ergometer’s screen showing SEE=1.2 km.h-1, in adolescents; R=0.55, R2=0.30 and SEE=1.3 km.h-1, in adults) (Table
pedaling cadence) and audio means (metronome set at 80 beats per minute). This test 4 and 5).
consisted by three stages, each lasting 3 min, against incremental braking force in order
to elicit HR between 120 and 170 beats per minute (b.min-1). Based on the linear Table 4. Correlation coefficients r between anthropometry and aerobic capacity.
relationship between HR and power output, PWC170 was calculated as the power
corresponding to HR 170 b.min-1 and expressed as W·kg-1. HR was recorded
continuously during all tests in laboratory and in field by Team2 Pro (Polar Electro Oy,
Kempele, Finland).

Results
Midfielders scored higher than goalkeepers (GKs) and defenders in MAS, while GKs
scored lower than all the other playing positions. Although this trend was also observed
BMI denotes body mass index, BF body fat, HRmax maximal heart rate, MAS maximal aerobic speed, PWC170 physical working capacity in
in PWC170, statistical difference was only noticed between midfielders and GKs. Players heart rate 170 b.min-1 and rPWC170 is PWC170 adjusted for weight. Values represent correlation coefficients for the total sample, while
with higher MAS had also higher PWC170 in both age groups (p<0.05). The odds ratio of values for adolescent and adults are in brackets. *p<0.05, †p<0.01, ‡p<0.001.

a player of the best PWC170 group to belong also to the best MAS group was 3.96 (95%
CI 2.00;7.84), which was lower in the case of adolescent (3.69 (1.34;10.20)) than in Table 5. Prediction models of maximal aerobic speed from anthropometry, heart rate
adult players (4.19 (1.66;10.57)). That is, players with high performance in the PWC170 and physical working capacity.
were about four times more likely than those with low PWC170 to achieved high score in
MAS (Table 1,2 and 3).

Table 1. Physical characteristics and aerobic power of participants according to age.

BF denotes body fat percentage, HRmax maximal heart rate, PWC170 physical working capacity in heart rate 170 b.min-1, R=multiple
correlation coefficient, R2=multiple coefficient of determination and SEE=standard error of estimate. Predictors are presented in order
according to stepwise regression.
BMI denotes body mass index, BF body fat, HRmax maximal heart rate, MAS maximal aerobic speed and PWC170 physical working capacity
in heart rate 170 b.min-1.

Conclusions

Table 2. Physical characteristics and aerobic power of participants according to level While there was only moderate correlation between MAS and PWC170, the former can
of aerobic capacity (high vs. low). be predicted from the latter when BF, HRmax and age are taken into account (large to
very large multiple correlation coefficients). Therefore, we recommend the further use
of submaximal cycle ergometer testing to assess and monitor aerobic capacity as an
alternative method to maximal graded exercise testing. However, this should be done
with caution in the cases, where small differences among groups would be expected.

References
1) Nikolaidis, P.T., Jeffreys, I., Ingebrigtsen, J. (2015): The effects of
anthropometry and leg muscle power on drive and transition phase of
acceleration: a longitudinal study on young soccer players. Journal of
Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, in print.
2) Souissi, M., Abedelmalek, S., Dhiba, D.B., Nikolaidis, P.T., Awicha,
H.B., Chtourou, H., Sahnoun, Z. (2015): Morning caffeine ingestion
increases cognitive function and short-term maximal performance in
footballer players after partial sleep deprivation. Biological Rhythm
Research, 46(5):617-629.
3) Nikolaidis, P.T., Dellal, A., Torres-Luque, G., Ingebrigtsen, J. (2015):
BMI denotes body mass index, BF body fat, HRmax maximal heart rate, MAS maximal aerobic speed and PWC170 physical working capacity Determinants of acceleration and maximum speed phase of repeated
in heart rate 170 b.min-1.
TEMPLATE DESIGN © 2007
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4) Torres-Luque, G., Calahorro-Cañadas, F., Lara-Sánchez, A.J., Nuria
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5) Nikolaidis, P.T., Ziv, G., Lidor, R. and Arnon, M. (2014): Intra-
individual variability in soccer players of different age groups playing
different positions. Journal of Human Kinetics, 40:1-13.
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