Anaerobic threshold in different categories of soccer players

Resumen

Different variables can be used for the identification and monitoring of aerobic capacity in collective sports, with the anaerobic threshold (AT) being commonly used in long-duration team sports such as soccer, basketball, and handball. The aim of this study was to determine AT intensity in different categories of soccer players by evaluating running speed, heart rate (HR) and percent maximum HR (%HRmax), and to compare these intensities between three soccer categories. Nineteen U-17, 12 U-20 and 14 professional players volunteered for this study. The AT was defined as the exercise intensity at which blood lactate reaches a concentration of 4 mM (OBLA). AT was determined in a field test consisting of two to five 1000-m runs at constant speed. HR and blood lactate concentration recorded during the test were analyzed by linear interpolation. The running speed, HR and %HRmax at OBLA were determined. HRmax was higher in U-17 players (202 ± 7 bpm) than in professional players (193 ±10 bpm) (p<0.05). AT expressed as %HRmax was lower in the U-17 (87.0 ± 1.1) and U-20 (86.3 ± 0.8) categories when compared to the professional category (91.2 ± 1.1) (p<0.05). Mean AT was 87% HRmax. No differences between categories were observed when AT was expressed as absolute HR values (bpm) or running speed. The intensity of AT is considered to be high in this group, with professional players presenting a higher AT than U-17 and U-20 players.