Physiological profiles of Hong Kong élite soccer players.

Abstract

Most physiological profiles of élite soccer players originate from Western Europe and North America. Unfortunately, there is a scarcity of descriptive data on the physical characteristics of Asian soccer players. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the physiological profiles of élite soccer players in Hong Kong. It was conducted in conjunction with the selection of the Hong Kong team before the 1990 Beijing Asian Games. In all, 24 professional soccer players were selected from a pool of 180 players as subjects for the study. The following means(s.d.) were observed: height 173.4(4.6) cm; weight 67.7(5.0) kg; body fat 7.3(3.0)%; forced vital capacity (FVC) 5.1(0.6) l; maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) 59.1(4.9) ml kg-1 min-1; anaerobic threshold (AT 80.0(7.2)% of VO2max; alactic power index 13.5(2.4) W kg-1; lactic work index 298(27) J kg-1; peak isokinetic dominant knee extensor and flexor strengths 2.72(0.36) Nm kg-1 and 1.65(0.20) Nm kg-1. On average the physique of Hong Kong soccer players appeared to be smaller and lighter than those found in Europe, which may be one of the key factors that contribute to the lack of success of Hong Kong soccer teams in international competition.

Comparison of Maximal Oxygen Uptake and Anaerobic Threshold in Soccer and Handball Players

“…Similarly, other studies have shown that professional soccer players' AT occurred at 76% [39] and 80% of VO 2max [16]. In addition, when AT of the soccer players is expressed as a percentage of HR max , it is seen that our findings are similar to those found (85.6 -89% HR max ) in previous studies [36,37,39].…”

“…In another study, Casajus et al reported that VO 2 values at AT of soccer players playing in the first league of Spain were 50.2 ml kg -1 min -1 [37]. This difference in VO 2 values at AT may be due to the VO 2max values of the soccer players (59.1 and 65.5 ml kg -1 min -1 , respectively) in these studies were higher than in our study group [36,37]. On the other hand, when AT expressed as a percentage of VO 2max (80% and 77%, respectively) [36,37], it is seen that the difference between the findings of our study and these studies disappears.…”

“…This difference in VO 2 values at AT may be due to the VO 2max values of the soccer players (59.1 and 65.5 ml kg -1 min -1 , respectively) in these studies were higher than in our study group [36,37]. On the other hand, when AT expressed as a percentage of VO 2max (80% and 77%, respectively) [36,37], it is seen that the difference between the findings of our study and these studies disappears. Similarly, other studies have shown that professional soccer players' AT occurred at 76% [39] and 80% of VO 2max [16].…”

“…Similar to our findings, Clark et al (2008) reported that the VO 2max values of professional male soccer players were 49.5 ml kg -1 min -1 [35]. On the other hand, in the literature, there are many studies showed that the VO 2max values of professional soccer players are higher than our findings [26,28,36,37]. It can be suggested that the differences in the VO 2max values in the literature may be due to the difference in the training levels of the players.…”

“…In the study by Clark et al professional soccer players' VO 2 values at AT (34.1 ml kg -1 min -1 ) were lower than our handball players [35]. In the study by Chin et al AT values (47.2 ml kg -1 min -1 ) of the professional soccer players were higher than our soccer players [36]. In another study, Casajus et al reported that VO 2 values at AT of soccer players playing in the first league of Spain were 50.2 ml kg -1 min -1 [37].…”