Comparison of anaerobic power between tactical positions in soccer players: a retrospective study

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the maximal anaerobic power (Pmáx), mean anaerobic power (Pm) and fatigue index (FI) among soccer players of different tactical positions. For this purpose, 248 professional soccer players (25.8±1.72 years old, 77.52±4.90 kg and 178.48±5.63 cm) from the 1st and 2nd division of the Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, participated in this study. They were evaluated between 1999 and 2010 and divided into five positions: goalkeepers (GK) (n=28), external defenders (ED) (n=35), central defenders (CD) (n=54), midfielders (MF) (n=81), and forwards (F) (n=50). The RAST test was performed to evaluate their Pmáx, Pmed, and FI. ANOVA one-way and Tukey’s post hoc were used to evaluate the relationship between the variables; significant level was p<0.05. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found for Pmáx of ED compared to GK,CD and MF. Similarly, Pm of ED also presented significant difference when compared to GK, CD and MF, as well as of F and MF compared to GK (p<0.05). In the relative power of each sprint, the athletes maintained the velocity during the 1st and 2nd sprint regardless of their positions, except for MF, and during the 5th and 6th sprint. There was no decrease in power performance forall positions. Since significant differences were found in Pmáx and Pm of EDcompared to GK, CD and MF, we conclude that athletes of different tactical positions presented variation regarding the characteristics of their actions.