Normative cardiorespiratory values in Italian first-division male soccer players: effects of age, playing position and season phase

Abstract

The study aimed to provide reference values of cardiorespiratory parameters and maximal exercise velocity (MEV) of first-division soccer players measured during a ramp exercise running test. A large (N = 741) database of cardiopulmonary exercise tests collected over a decade on Serie A teams in Italy was scrutinized. The reference values were stratified for age, playing position, and season phase. We found an average $\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_2$ peak of 4.78 ± 0.56 l/min, a relative $\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_2$ peak of 61.5 ± 5.96 ml/kg/min and an MEV of 19.0 ± 1.3 km/h. Relative $\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_2$ peak was constant from 18 to 30 years of age and then decreased, while MEV decreased constantly with increasing age. While the absolute $\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_2$ peak was similar for all playing roles (P = 0.782), the midfielders were the players with the highest relative $\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_2$ peak (P = 0.020) and they had lower body mass than the others (P < 0.001). This study presents estimates of the influence of age, player position, and season phase on $\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_2$ peak in men's elite soccer. $\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_2$ peak values ~62 ml/kg/min fulfil the demands for $\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_2$ peak in men's professional soccer. Midfielders showed larger relative, but not absolute, $\dot{\text{V}}{\text{O}}_2$ peak.

Keywords: Aerobic capacity; CPET; Fitness; Football; Oxygen uptake; Ventilation.