Laboratory and field-based assessments to determine the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of elite soccer players

Abstract

This thesis investigated the anthropometric, aerobic and anaerobic characteristics of elite male and female soccer players. Forty-three male (age, 23.6 ± 5.5 years; stature, 1.86 ± 0.13 m; body mass, 89.5 ± 16.5 kg) and eighteen female soccer players (age, 29.7 ± 9.5 years; stature, 1.69 ± 0.68 m; body mass, 64.6 ± 9.7 kg) from the highest respective English domestic leagues participated in the studies. The male soccer players were assessed on three occasions; End of Season (EOS), Prior to Pre-season (PTP) and Post Pre-season (PPS), performing a motorised treadmill incremental test to determine O2max and sum of eight skinfolds to estimate body fat. Female soccer players were assessed on a single occasion at the start of pre-season, performing repeat sprint ability (RSA) assessment (7 x 30m in 20 sec intervals) and sum of eight skinfolds; as well as friendly matches monitored for physical loading using global positioning satellite system (GPS) devices. The elite male players' estimated body fat was lowest EOS, however O2max values were also lower (55.5 ± 4.8 ml•kg-1•min-1) than PTP (56.7 ± 6.5 ml•kg-1•min-1) and significantly lower than EOP (61.7± 6.1 ml•kg-1•min-1) (r =0.70, R2 = 0.32; p < 0.01). Females' estimated body fat correlated significantly with RSA performance (r = 0.71, R2 = 0.32; p < 0.01). RSA was also significantly correlated to the number of match-based high intensity efforts performed (speeds≥ 4.1 m•s-1) (r = -0.77, R2 = 0.52; p < 0.01). This study demonstrates that in elite male soccer players, O2max values observed after pre-season are significantly greater than the preceding post-season results, illustrating a decline in aerobic capacity toward the end of a competitive season. Additionally, body fat and anaerobic capability (RSA) appear to be interrelated within elite female soccer, as well as the RSA results being associated with players' capability to perform repeated high intensity efforts during match-play.

Date of Award	Feb 2015
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bedfordshire
Supervisor	John Brewer (Supervisor) & Lee Taylor (Second supervisor)