Blood lactate and oxygen consumption in soccer players: comparison between different positions on the field

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:We hypothesize that in players with better aerobic fitness, lactate production was not inhibited after high-intensity exercise, regardless of the footballer's position on the field. METHOD: Sixty professional male soccer players performed cardiopulmonary exercise tests on an ergometric treadmill; respiratory gas exchanges were monitored throughout and blood lactate levels at peak effort was measured, using a portable device. The heart rate response was determined by computerized EKG. Training sessions took place over an average of ten hours per week, and the players had 6.8 years of experience in competitive soccer; they were tested a third of way into the season. The positions tested were (centerback, fullback, midfielder and striker). RESULTS:The following results (mean ± std. dev.) were obtained: (1) peak oxygen consumption of 58.8 ± 4.5 ml.kg -1.min. ; (6) percentage of oxygen consumption in the second ventilatory threshold of 84 ± 6%. There was no correlation between maximum aerobic level vs. peak lactate concentration (r = -0,031; p = 0.812), nor between submaximal aerobic level vs. peak lactate concentration (r = -0.146; p = 0.335) in the positions tested. CONCLUSION: Better or worse aerobic profiles according to game positions in soccer players do not influence peak lactate levels following high-intensity exercise, and confirms the study hypothesis.

Capacidade cardiopulmonar de jogadores de diferentes posições da Seleção Brasileira Militar de futebol: perfil da equipe no início da temporada

“…O valor de VO2máx para os zagueiros foi de 42,03 ± 1,81 ml/kg/min; para os laterais foi de 41,44 ± 1,13 ml/kg/min; para os meio campistas 41,86 ± 1,34 ml/kg/min; e para os atacantes foi de 41,37 ± 1,15 ml/kg/min. Apenas um dos estudos revisados encontrou diferença entre jogadores da linha (9). Foram avaliados 60 atletas, com os meio campistas e laterais apresentando maiores valores de VO2 de pico (61,2 ± 3,6 e 61,3 ± 3,1 ml/kg/min, respectivamente) do que as demais posições estudadas (zagueiros: 54,4 ± 2,5; atacantes: 56,9 ± 4,4 ml/kg/min) (9).…”

“…Cruz et al encontraram valores semelhantes em relação às diversas posições de jogo(4), enquanto Balikian et al verificaram que os goleiros apresentaram VO2max inferior em relação a todos os outros grupos de jogadores (8). Mais recentemente, Santos-Silva et al identificaram maiores valores de VO2 no pico do esforço para os meio campistas e os laterais em relação aos zagueiros centrais e atacantes (9). Nesse contexto, parece ainda não haver um consenso na literatura, sendo necessária e justificada a realização de mais trabalhos nessa temática.…”

Using an Electromyography Method While Measuring Oxygen Uptake to Appreciate Physical Exercise Intensity in Adolescent Cyclists: An Analytical Study

“…In our study, changes in oxygen uptake easily influenced power output and therefore performance, but changes in power output did not necessarily mean improvements in oxygen uptake. We failed to measure lactate accumulation during the incremental exercise test, but by matching several papers one can observe with training, changes in lactate tolerance and performance improvements without major changes in oxygen uptake [ 25 ]. Yet, all changes are related to oxygen consumption, distribution and cell-level use, which, according to Wagner et al [ 26 ] is much more related to the cell structure and the main adaptations within muscle, respiratory and cardiovascular systems.…”

Metabolic and Cardiorespiratory Responses of Semiprofessional Football Players in Repeated Ajax Shuttle Tests and Curved Sprint Tests, and Their Relationship with Football Match Play

“…Researchers [ 58 , 59 ] have reported that in real football match play, [La] is highest around the middle of the game and declines as the match approaches its end. The [La] mostly varies between 6 and 12 mmol/L, which is closer to the [La] in CST but is much less than [La] in AST.…”