Downloaded from bjsm.bmjjournals.

com on 21 March 2006

Field and laboratory testing in young elite soccer

players
K Chamari, Y Hachana, Y B Ahmed, O Galy, F Sghaïer, J-C Chatard, O Hue and U
Wisløff

Br. J. Sports Med. 2004;38;191-196

doi:10.1136/bjsm.2002.004374

Updated information and services can be found at:

http://bjsm.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/38/2/191

These include:
References This article cites 20 articles, 5 of which can be accessed free at:
http://bjsm.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/38/2/191#BIBL

2 online articles that cite this article can be accessed at:

http://bjsm.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/38/2/191#otherarticles
Rapid responses You can respond to this article at:
http://bjsm.bmjjournals.com/cgi/eletter-submit/38/2/191

Email alerting Receive free email alerts when new articles cite this article - sign up in the box at the
service top right corner of the article

Topic collections Articles on similar topics can be found in the following collections

Sports Medicine (1175 articles)

Notes

To order reprints of this article go to:

http://www.bmjjournals.com/cgi/reprintform
To subscribe to British Journal of Sports Medicine go to:
http://www.bmjjournals.com/subscriptions/
 Downloaded from bjsm.bmjjournals.com on 21 March 2006
191

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Field and laboratory testing in young elite soccer players

K Chamari, Y Hachana, Y B Ahmed, O Galy, F Sghaı̈er, J-C Chatard, O Hue, U Wisløff
...............................................................................................................................
Br J Sports Med 2004;38:191–196. doi: 10.1136/bjsm.2003.004374

See end of article for

authors’ affiliations Aim: To determine if there are correlations between the physical fitness of young soccer players assessed
....................... by field and laboratory testing.
Correspondence to: Methods: Thirty four male soccer players took part in the study (mean (SD) age 17.5 (1.1) years, height
Dr Wisløff, Department of 177.8 (6.7) cm, weight 70.5 (6.4) kg). Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2MAX) during treadmill running and
Circulation and Medical vertical jump height on a force platform were measured in the laboratory. Field tests consisted of a soccer
Imaging, Norwegian specific endurance test (Bangsbo test) and 30 m sprint with 10 m lap times.
University of Science and
Technology, Olav Kyrres gt Results: The Bangsbo test correlated with the lowest velocity associated with VO2MAX (vVO2MAX; R2 = 0.55,
3, 7489 Trondheim, p,0.001), but not with VO2MAX. Sprint times at 30 m and 20 m were related to peak extension velocity
Norway; ulrik.wisloff@ and peak extension force measured during vertical jumping, but not to vertical jump height per se. The
medisin.ntnu.no
jumping force and velocity could explain 46% of the 30 m sprint performance (R2 = 0.46, p,0.001).
Accepted 11 March 2003 Conclusion: The Bangsbo test and 30 m sprint test correlate with vVO2MAX and vertical jump force and
....................... velocity respectively. The Bangsbo test does not give a good estimate of VO2MAX in young soccer players.

T
echnical and tactical skills in soccer are highly dependent players are the vertical jump on a force platform14 15 and the
on the player’s physical capacity.1 2 More than 90% of a 10–30 m sprint.13 16
game is performed by aerobic metabolism,1 and the The major hypothesis of this study was that the results
average intensity is around the anaerobic lactate threshold from the Bangsbo test reflect the VO2MAX of young soccer
(80–90% of maximal heart rate).1 3 However, the actual time players. In addition, we determined whether there is a
spent at exactly that intensity is about 20 minutes, as the relation between the power abilities—that is, vertical jump
players either exercise above (accumulating lactate) or below performance measured on a force platform—and the 10–
(oxidising the accumulated lactate) this threshold.3 One of 30 m sprint time.
the most important factors that influence exercise intensity is
the player’s maximal oxygen uptake (VO2MAX). A recent MATERIALS AND METHODS
study showed that increasing VO2MAX by 11% increased Subjects
match intensity by 5% and distance covered in a match by Thirty four male soccer players volunteered to participate in
1800 m.3 The third variable that influences a player’s aerobic the study and provided written informed consent in
endurance performance is running economy. Hoff et al2 accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. The university
estimated that an improvement in running economy by 5% ethics committee approved the study protocol. The subjects
would increase the distance covered in a match by about could withdraw from the study at any time. Their physical
1000 m. Both anaerobic threshold and running economy characteristics were as follows (mean (SD)): age 17.5 (1.1)
have been shown to be increased by increased VO2MAX.3 years; height 177.8 (6.7) cm; weight 70.5 (6.4) kg; body
Whereas evaluation of the first two variables requires mass index 22.5 (1.4) kg/m2; percentage body fat 11.8 (2.0).
laboratory tests, there are several field tests to assess an Percentage body fat was calculated according to the
athlete’s VO2MAX.4 5 Recently, Kemi et al6 showed that it is formula of Siri based on four skinfold measurements
possible to reach VO2MAX in a soccer specific test with the ball. (biceps, triceps, subscapularis, and suprailiac).17 Twenty two
However, this requires a portable gas analyser, not available of the subjects were members of the Tunisian national under
for most teams. Specific field tests have been designed to 19 team, and the remaining 12 belonged to one of the best
assess endurance specific to soccer players,7–9 but, to our three ranked teams in Tunisia during the last 10 years. The
knowledge, none has been shown to be directly correlated latter composed the elite players of the club and lived in a
with the classical VO2MAX laboratory treadmill test. The special ‘‘centre of excellence’’ included in the club’s infra-
Bangsbo1 8 10 intermittent field test is easy to perform and structure. Seven of these 12 players were recruited from
mimics the highest intensities experienced during a soccer Senegal three months before the experiment. The subjects
match. It is acceptable to players because of its movement were informed about the test protocols, without being
similarities to soccer, and the test is routinely used to assess informed about the aim of the study. They participated in
soccer specific endurance.1 7 8 10–12 One goal of the present the national soccer championship as regular players, and
study was to determine whether the results from the Bangsbo some of them were selected for the senior team of their
test reflect the subject’s VO2MAX. respective clubs. At the time of the experiment, their average
Although most of the game is aerobic, the most decisive weekly training programmes included 8–10 training sessions
skills, such as the ability to jump high and sprint fast in duels a week (each session lasting about 90 minutes), mainly
against opponents, are anaerobic.1 Wisløff et al13 showed a soccer training and very rarely on track running or muscular
strong correlation between maximal muscle strength, vertical strength training.
jump performance, and 10–30 m sprint times in well trained The experiment was performed mid-season—that is, three
male elite soccer players. Whether this relation also exists in to five months after the beginning of the competitive season.
younger, less well trained soccer players is not known. The The cohort studied was comprised four goalkeepers, 12
main tests for measuring force, power, and sprint in soccer defenders, 12 midfield players, and six forwards.

www.bjsportmed.com
 Downloaded from bjsm.bmjjournals.com on 21 March 2006
192 Chamari, Hachana, Ahmed, et al

Test protocols shown). We chose to use dimensional scaling based on body

Owing to injuries and the busy programme of some of the mass so that we could directly compare our results with
players, not all the subjects were able to perform all the tests. previous studies.3 13 15 24
Each player was tested separately, instructed, and verbally
encouraged to give maximal effort on all the tests. The Day 2
number of players who took part in the different tests is The vertical jump was performed from a fixed semisquat
presented in the tables and figures. position with the hands fixed at the hips using a force
platform (9281 C; Bioware, Kistler, Switzerland). Each player
Laboratory testing performed three jumps with two minutes of rest in between,
Laboratory testing was performed between 2 and 5 pm (mean and the best jump was selected for analysis. Peak jumping
(SD) ambient temperature 21(1)˚C) on two days, separated force (Fpeak), peak jumping velocity (vpeak), peak jumping
by one week. The subjects were wearing shorts and running anaerobic power (Wan), and the peak height of the jump
shoes. They had been asked to abstain from exercise the day (Hpeak) were recorded. After this procedure, the subject also
before the tests and not to drink caffeine-containing performed a free counter movement jump protocol. The
beverages on the day of the tests. statistical results were similar using data from these two
tests, and for clarity we chose to present only the former in
this paper.
Day 1
As for the VO2MAX expression, dimensional scaling must
On entering the laboratory, subjects lay on a bench and
also be considered when evaluating strength measures.15 In
rested for 15 minutes. The lowest heart rate during that
two geometrically similar and quantitatively identical indivi-
period was recorded. They then ran on a flat treadmill (Ergo
duals, one may expect all linear dimensions (L) to be
XELG 90; Woodway, Weil, Germany) for three minutes at
proportional. The length of the arms, the legs, and the
9 km/h. The speed was then increased by 1 km/h every
individual muscles will have a ratio of L:1, the cross sectional
minute until exhaustion, which occurred within 10–15 min-
area L2:1, and the volume ratio L3:1. As muscular strength is
utes for all subjects. The following criteria were met by all
directly proportional to the muscle cross sectional area, and
players when VO2MAX was tested: (a) a levelling off of VO2
body mass (mb) varies directly with body volume, whole body
despite an increase in treadmill speed; (b) a respiratory gas
muscular strength measures will vary in proportion to mb0.67.
exchange ratio higher than 1.1; (c) blood lactate higher than
The peak force is therefore expressed as N/kg0.67.
6 mmol/l. The highest heart rate attained at exhaustion was
recorded. Cardiorespiratory variables were determined using
a breath by breath system (ZAN 680; Messgeräte, Oberthulba, Field testing
Germany) allowing continuous measurement of heart rate, All field tests were performed on one day, one week after the
oxygen uptake, and lung ventilation. Before each test, the gas end of the laboratory testing. The sprint tests were performed
analysers were calibrated with gasses of known concentra- in the morning and the Bangsbo test in the afternoon. The
tion, and the ventilatory membrane was calibrated with a tests were performed on a natural grass soccer pitch, and the
1 litre syringe. Heart rate was determined from a six lead subjects were wearing soccer kit. During the non-raining field
electrocardiograph with 12 derivations. Heart rate and test days, wind speed did not exceed 8 knots (4.11 m/s) and
respiratory data were recorded once every 30 seconds, with air temperature ranged from 23˚C to 26˚C.
the values averaged over the last 10 respiratory cycles on a
sliding technique basis.18 The lowest and highest velocity 30 m sprint
associated with VO2MAX (vVO2MAX and vpeakVO2MAX respec- The subjects performed 20 minutes of individual warm up
tively) were established as described by Billat and including several accelerations knowing that they had to
Koralsztein19 and Paavolaı̈nen et al,20 and respiratory com- choose which foot they had to put on the starting line for the
pensation threshold (Th2vent) as described by Beaver et al.21 If sprint standing position start. They then performed three
VO2MAX is expressed as ml/kg/min, the work capacity of light 30 m sprints including 10 m lap timing with three minutes
subjects is overestimated and that of heavy subjects is of recovery in between. Speeds were measured with infrared
underestimated.15 Consequently, Bergh et al,22 Wisløff et al,15 photoelectric cells (Matsport timing BTS, Seyssinet, France)
Helgerud et al,3 and Hoff et al2 have expressed oxygen uptake positioned at exactly 10 and 30 m from the starting line at a
as ml/kg0.75/min for comparisons among athletes and soccer height of 1 m. The 20 m (from the 10 m to the 30 m line)
players of different body mass. Indeed, VO2MAX does not performance was then calculated. The stopwatch starting
increase in direct proportion to body mass.22 Dimensional pedal was positioned behind the starting line. The subject
scaling of geometrically similar subjects suggests that the had to start from a standing position placing his forward foot
cross section area of the aorta will increase in proportion to just behind the starting line and his rear foot on the pedal
the square of the height (L2) whereas body mass is dependent after having positioned the pedal according to his natural
on body volume, which varies according to L3. Consequently, starting position. The timing started as soon as the foot of the
VO2MAX, which is primarily limited by maximal cardiac player left the pedal. Before testing, each subject performed a
output, should be proportional to body mass (mb) raised to submaximal sprint to familiarise himself with the test
the power of 0.67 (mb0.67). This dimensional scaling approach procedure. The sprint resulting in the best 30 m performance
was supported by Bergh et al,22 who found that VO2MAX was selected for analysis.
relative to body mass raised to the power of 0.75 was
indicative of performance capacity in running. Despite the The Bangsbo test
fact that the theoretically correct mb0.67 should be used, most This soccer specific endurance test was proposed by Bangsbo
published papers on soccer players have used the ml/kg0.75/ and Lindquist7 and further described by Bangsbo.8 10 Figure 1
min expression. Wisløff et al15 suggested that expressing illustrates the test track. Briefly, the test lasts 16.5 minutes,
VO2MAX in relation to mb0.67 or mb0.75 may not be critical as during which players alternate between 40 bouts of high
long as the unit approximates the theoretical value and not intensity exercise each lasting 15 seconds and 40 bouts of low
the traditional mb. Dimensional scaling should ideally be intensity exercise each lasting 10 seconds. The work-rest
based on fat-free mass, because fat has very low metabolic periods were dictated by one long sound signal for the
activity.23 In the present study the statistical outcome of using beginning and two short sound signals (whistle) at the end
fat-free body mass or body mass was similar (data not of each sprint. During the high intensity periods, the subjects

www.bjsportmed.com
 Downloaded from bjsm.bmjjournals.com on 21 March 2006
Physiology of soccer 193

Figure 1 The Bangsbo soccer field test circuit. (A) Circuit dimensions. The length and width of the circuit correspond to that of the penalty area of a
soccer pitch. The recovery zone is delimited by four small cones at the corners and wooden battens on the field. Cones 15 and 39 correspond to
running direction changes, and cones 21 and 33 to the beginning and end of the slalom. They should be of different colour to be easily identified. The
four cones at the area corners (0, 12, 18, and 36) and the slalom cones (21–33) must be at least 1.2 m high. The others can be small cones. (B) The test
lasts 16.5 minutes, during which players alternate between 40 15 second bouts of high intensity exercise and 10 second low intensity exercise jogs.
During the high intensity periods, subjects follow the 160 m circuit, running 40 m forward, 8.25 m backwards, 95.25 m forward and through a 120˚
angle slalom, 8.25 m sideways while facing away from the centre of the circuit, and 8.25 m sideways while facing the centre of the circuit. During the
low intensity periods, players jog to the centre of the circuit and back to the last cone marked position they reached at the end of the previous high
intensity period. If the sound signal stops them during the slalom, the low jogging is performed towards the next slalom cone and back to the last cone
they reached before the signal. The test performance is the distance covered during the 40 periods of high intensity running.

follow an outlined circuit around the penalty area of a soccer standardised warm up, the players had 10 minutes to
field. They run 40 m forward, 8.25 m backwards, 95.25 m familiarise themselves with the circuit by light jogging.
forward and through a 120˚ angle slalom, 8.25 m sideways They then had to try the test pace—that is, the 15 second
while facing away from the centre of the circuit, and 8.25 m high intensity and 10 second light intensity bouts of
sideways while facing the centre of the circuit. During the exercise—for four minutes. This allowed them to find a
low intensity periods, players jog to the centre of the circuit personal running pace to try to perform the best performance
and back to the last cone marked position they reached at the over the 16.5 minute test duration. After the warm up and
end of the previous high intensity period. The test perfor- the familiarisation, they rested for 10 minutes before
mance is the distance covered during the 40 periods of high performing the test. During the Bangsbo test, heart rate
intensity running. Before each test, after 10 minutes of was monitored with a heart rate monitor (Polar S-610; Polar

Table 1 Main results from the VO2MAX test (n = 34)

VO2MAX
vVO2MAX vpeakVO2MAX Th2vent HRMAX Peak [La2]
l/min ml/kg/min ml/kg0.75/min (km/h) (km/h) (% VO2MAX) (beats/min) (mmol/l)

Mean 4.3 61.1 177 18.4 19.0 90.1 191 11.6

SD 0.4 4.6 13 1.0 0.9 3.9 7 1.9

vVO2MAX, Lowest velocity associated with VO2MAX; vpeakVO2MAX, highest velocity attained before exhaustion; Th2vent, second ventilatory threshold or compensation
respiratory threshold expressed as percentage of VO2MAX; HRMAX maximum heart rate; [La2], lactate concentration.

www.bjsportmed.com
 Downloaded from bjsm.bmjjournals.com on 21 March 2006
194 Chamari, Hachana, Ahmed, et al

Table 2 Main vertical jumping results measured on a There was no significant correlation between vertical jump
force platform in the laboratory (n = 30) height and sprint performance (table 4). However, the peak
jumping velocity and force correlated positively with 20 m
Wan Fpeak and 30 m sprinting performances (table 4), and 46% of the
Jump
W/ W/ N/ N/ vpeak height
30 m sprinting performance was explained by the jumping
W kg kg0.67 N kg kg0.67 TPF (s) (m/s) (cm) force (N/kg) and jumping velocity.
Mean 3878 55.1 224 1863 26.5 107.7 0.168 2.71 51.3
SD 553 5.7 25 262 2.7 11.6 0.046 0.19 6.7
DISCUSSION
This study shows that the performance in the Bangsbo test
Wan, Peak jumping anaerobic power; Fpeak, peak jumping force; TPF, did not correlate significantly with VO2MAX in young soccer
time to peak force during the pushing phase; vpeak, peak jumping players. This was surprising as an average running intensity
velocity. of 95% of maximal heart rate normally corresponds to
VO2MAX when running is continuous.23 The nature of the
Electro, Kempele, Finland). Five second intervals were Bangsbo test is intermittent running, and the heart rate
selected (0.2 Hz). achieved is probably not a good picture of the actual exercise
intensity, as it normally takes one minute of continuous
running to reach an exercise intensity corresponding to 95%
Blood sampling and determination of blood lactate of maximal heart rate.3 Therefore the exercise during the
concentration 15 seconds of high intensity running probably corresponds to
Blood samples were collected 3.5 minutes after VO2MAX and an anaerobic exercise intensity beyond VO2MAX. This is
after the Bangsbo tests. The 20 ml samples of capillary blood confirmed by the high concentration of blood lactate
were withdrawn from an earlobe with Microzym micro- measured (table 3). However, the soccer players in this study
pipettes. They were stored in tubes containing 180 ml of a represent a homogeneous group with regard to VO2MAX, and
haemolytic solution to ensure preservation of the samples at therefore a correlation between the performance in the
room temperature. Blood lactate concentration was subse- Bangsbo test and VO2MAX may be found in a more
quently measured by an enzymatic method (Microzym L; heterogeneous group of players. Heart rate values during
Setric Génie Industriel, Toulouse, France). the present Bangsbo test are similar to previous reports,1
confirming high heart rate responses to the test.
Statistical analysis Furthermore, the venous blood lactate concentrations are in
Values are expressed as mean (SD). For comparison between accordance with those of Mujika et al,12 but higher than
groups, we used a two way analysis of variance. The Scheffé reported by Bangsbo and Lindquist7 and Bangsbo.1 The senior
statistic was used to calculate post hoc p values of possible Tunisian squad (n = 25) that participated in the 2002
difference between groups. A Pearson correlation matrix was African Cup and World Championships had a mean blood
performed between the variables of the field and laboratory lactate concentration of 14.84 (1.31) mmol/l (range 12.6–17)
tests. A stepwise linear regression analysis was used when and covered a distance of 1879.1 (123.7) m in the Bangsbo
appropriate. Statistical significance was fixed at p,0.05. test with a heart rate of 186.5 (9.9) beats/min.
The fact that the Bangsbo test correlates with the lowest
RESULTS and highest running speed associated with VO2MAX is
No positional differences for any of the physiological surprising because normally there is a close relation between
variables were observed and the mean data for all players VO2MAX and running speed on an inclined treadmill.23 Testing
are therefore presented. of VO2MAX normally requires an inclined treadmill,23 and
therefore perhaps the true VO2MAX was not reached in our
Laboratory testing study using a flat treadmill. However, all the criteria for
During treadmill testing, the oxygen uptake levelled off reaching VO2MAX were achieved by all subjects, and we
despite increased running speed in all players—that is, the therefore conclude that the true VO2MAX was reached. Thus
true VO2MAX was determined (table 1). Table 2 presents the relation between running speed and VO2MAX may be
vertical jump height variables. different when a flat treadmill is used rather than an inclined
treadmill. Running technique probably plays a more promi-
Field testing nent role when the former is used. As it has been shown in
The mean (SD) time for the 30 m sprint test was 1.87 several studies3 25 that VO2MAX is a very important variable of
(0.10) seconds with a 10 m lap time of 4.38 (0.18) seconds match performance of soccer players, tests other than the
(n = 30). Table 3 presents data from the Bangsbo field test. Bangsbo test are required to either estimate or directly
measure it. Helgerud et al3 showed that improving VO2MAX by
Correlations between laboratory and field testing 11% induces a 20% (,1800 m) increase in the distance
There was no significant correlation between the Bangsbo covered in a match, 23% increase in involvement with the
test and VO2MAX. However, there was a positive correlation ball, and 100% increase in the number of sprints performed.
between vVO2MAX, vpeakVO2MAX, and distance covered in the The importance of increasing the performance in the Bangsbo
Bangsbo test (fig 2). test on a player’s match performance is still uncertain. A

Table 3 Results from the Bangsbo test (n = 22)

Heart rate

Average Peak
Peak [La-]
Distance (m) Beats/min %HRMAX Beats/min %HRMAX (mmol/l)

Mean 1830.9 181 94.5 189 98.9 9.0

SD 123.8 6 3.3 5 3.2 3.7

HRMAX, maximum heart rate; [La2], lactate concentration.

www.bjsportmed.com
 Downloaded from bjsm.bmjjournals.com on 21 March 2006
Physiology of soccer 195

Figure 2 Relation between distance covered in the Bangsbo test and the lowest velocity corresponding to maximal oxygen uptake (vVO2MAX) (A) and
peak velocity at VO2MAX (vpeakVO2MAX) (B). Dotted lines represent 95% estimation interval.

complementary study to determine the effect of a training As a soccer player jumps on average 15.5 times, with about
induced increase in the Bangsbo test on match performance nine headers a match,1 and performs a sprint about every
(distance covered, number of sprints, involvement with the 90 seconds, each lasting two to four seconds,1 26 jumping and
ball), aerobic function (VO2MAX), and aerobic performance sprinting performance obviously influence the outcome of a
(vVO2MAX, time to exhaustion at vVO2MAX, and running game. The 30 m sprint time did not significantly correlate
economy) would extend our knowledge of this often used with vertical jump height, but rather with peak velocity
test. Although the mean data show that 55% of the during the jump. This is not surprising as it has been shown
performance in the Bangsbo test can be explained by that it is the level of maximal strength and the rate of force
vVO2MAX, the precision when individual values are estimated development that influence both jump height and sprint
is not very accurate—that is, the standard error of the y performance.24 27 This is in accordance with previous studies
estimate is quite large (fig 2A). For example, if a player has a in Norwegian senior elite soccer players13 and emphasises the
vVO2MAX of 18 km/h, fig 2A shows that the estimated fact that muscular force and power are relevant variables
distance covered in the Bangsbo test is 1700–1950 m; the with respect to sprinting performance. Surprisingly, the 10 m
corresponding data for 19 km/h and 17 km/h are 1750– lap time did not correlate with any of the vertical jump
1950 m and 1700–1800 m respectively. So on an individual variables, which contrasts with previous reports.13 It must be
basis this is not very impressive. Therefore, before this test is emphasised that subjects in the latter study were adult elite
used in a standard test battery, more studies to determine its players and that half of the population studied performed
practical use should be performed. The optimum soccer regular high intensity strength training, which was not the
specific test has yet to be defined, and, for the time being, the case for the players in this study. As suggested by Wisløff
most useful tests for evaluating strength and endurance et al,13 when subjects with different training regimens are
training are laboratory tests. However, the Bangsbo test is studied, clearly the correlation between sprinting and
useful for looking at other aspects of aerobic endurance jumping performance may be different. The role of age could
performance besides the traditional VO2MAX, running econ- not be ruled out either, with possible different physiological
omy, and anaerobic threshold—for example, vVO2MAX and capacities17 and/or lower level of acceleration skills. The
vpeakVO2MAX. On the other hand, the usefulness of increasing jumping performance in the present study was in the normal
vVO2MAX and vpeakVO2MAX without increasing VO2MAX has yet range for soccer players.3 15 The sprint results fit in with
to be defined. observations in elite junior players in a previous study.3 The
10 m lap time could give important information, as indicated
The values obtained for VO2MAX and anaerobic threshold in
by the substantial differences within the 30 m test, with
this study are of the same order as found for elite junior
some of the subjects having similar 30 m times but notably
players in Norway.3 With the present knowledge of the
different 10 m times. In this context, it must be emphasised
importance of a high VO2MAX on match performance, further
that the 10 m performance is a relevant test variable in
emphasis should be placed on increasing that. There is no
modern soccer. Cometti et al16 have shown that French
reason for elite junior players to have a lower VO2MAX than
professional and amateur soccer players had similar 30 m
elite senior players, approaching 70 ml/kg/min (correspond-
sprint performances but the professionals had significantly
ing to 205 ml/kg0.75/min for a 75 kg player).15 Effective
lower 10 m lap times.
exercise training regimens, with or without the ball, have
been presented in detail elsewhere,2 3 and include periods of
four minutes at an exercise intensity corresponding to 90– Conclusions
95% of maximal heart rate. Such a training regimen could be In young soccer players, the Bangsbo test and 30 m sprint
expected to increase VO2MAX by 0.5% per training session.3 test correlate with vVO2MAX and peak jumping velocity

Table 4 Correlation between vertical jump variables and the 20 m (from 10 to 30 m) and 30 m sprint performances
Wan Fpeak
0.67
W/kg W/kg N/kg N/kg0.67 vpeak (m/s) Hpeak (cm)

30 m sprint r2 = 0.21, p = 0.010 r2 = 0.17, p = 0.020 *p = 0.054 *p = 0.080 r2 = 0.40, p = 0.0002 *p = 0.083
20 m sprint r2 = 0.25, p = 0.005 r2 = 0.17, p = 0.021 r2 = 0.17, p = 0.019 *p = 0.058 r2 = 0.34. p = 0.0006 *p = 0.12

*The correlation approached significance.

www.bjsportmed.com
 Downloaded from bjsm.bmjjournals.com on 21 March 2006
196 Chamari, Hachana, Ahmed, et al

7 Bangsbo J, Lindquist F. Comparison of various exercise tests with endurance

Take home message performance during soccer in professional players. Int J Sports Med
1992;13:125–32.
8 Bangsbo J. Tests de terrain pour footballeurs. Actualites Sport et Medicine
The Bangsbo test, which is used to assess endurance of 1995;38:3–8.
soccer players, correlates with vVO2MAX but does not provide 9 Nicholas CW, Nuttall FE, Williams C. The Loughborough intermittent shuttle
test: a field test that simulates the activity of soccer. J Sports Sci
a good estimate of VO2MAX in young soccer players. The 2000;18:97–104.
30 m sprint performance correlates with the velocity and 10 Bangsbo J. Fitness training in football. A scientific approach. Bagsvaerd,
force variables measured during vertical jumping. Denmark: Ho+Storm, 1994:88–97.
11 Reilly T, Bangbso J, Franks A. Anthropometric and physiological
predispositions for elite soccer. J Sports Sci 2000;18:669–83.
12 Mujika I, Padilla S, Ibañez J, et al. Creatine supplementation and sprint
performance in soccer players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2000;32:518–25.
respectively. The Bangsbo test does not give a good estimate 13 Wisløff U, Castagna C, Helgerud J, et al. Strong correlation of maximal squat
of VO2MAX, and further studies are necessary to determine its strength with sprint performance and vertical jump height in elite soccer
practical use in a test battery for soccer players. players. Br J Sports Med 2004;38.
14 Grassi B, Cerretelli P, Narici MV, et al. Peak anaerobic power in master
athletes. Eur J Appl Physiol 1991;62:394–9.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 15 Wisløff U, Helgerud J, Hoff J. Strength and endurance of elite soccer players.
In memory of Dorra. We thank the coaches, Skander Kasri and Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998;30:462–7.
Gilbert Zoonekynd, for their collaboration, Hatem Ziadia, Gaby 16 Cometti G, Maffiuletti NA, Pousson M, et al. Isokinetic strength and anaerobic
Mkaouar, and Hajer Amri for their technical support, and Drs Zakia power of elite, subelite and amateur French soccer players. Int J Sports Med
Bartagi, Noureddine Zerzri, Fethi Kaouech, Mourad Kaouech, and 2001;22:45–51.
Wajdi Dardouri for their valuable help. 17 Hansen L, Bangsbo J, Twisk J, et al. Development of muscle strength in relation
to training level and testosterone in young male soccer players. J Appl Physiol
1999;87:1141–7.
.....................
18 Whipp BJ, Ward SA, Lamarra N, et al. Parameters of ventilatory and gas
Authors’ affiliations exchange dynamics during exercise. J Appl Physiol 1982;52:1506–13.
K Chamari, Y Hachana, Y B Ahmed, F Sghaı̈er, National Centre of 19 Billat VL, Koralsztein JP. Significance of the Velocity at VO2max and time to
Sports Medicine, El Menzah, Tunisia exhaustion at this velocity. Sports Med 1996;22:90–108.
O Galy, O Hue, Laboratoire ACTES, UFR-STAPS Antilles-Guyane, Pointe 20 Paavolaı̈nen L, Häkkinen K, Hämäläinen I, et al. Explosive-strength training
improves 5-km running time by improving running economy and muscle
à Pitre, France
power. J Appl Physiol 1999;86:1527–33.
J-C Chatard, Laboratoire GIP Exercice, St Etienne, France 21 Beaver WL, Wasserman K, Whipp BJ. A new method for detecting anaerobic
U Wisløff, Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging, Norwegian threshold by gas exchange. J Appl Physiol 1986;60:2020–7.
University of Science and Technology, and Department of Cardiology, St 22 Bergh U, Sjødin B, Forsberg A, et al. The relationship between body mass and
Olavs Hospital, Trondheim, Norway oxygen uptake during running in humans. Med Sci Sports Exerc
1991;23:205–11.
23 Åstrand PO, Rodahl K. Texbook of work physiology. New York: McGraw-Hill,
REFERENCES 2003.
1 Bangsbo J. The physiology of soccer—with special reference to intense 24 Hoff J, Berdahl GO, Bråten S. Jumping height development and body weight
intermittent exercise. Acta Physiol Scand 1994;15(suppl 619):1–156. considerations in ski jumping. In: Müller E, Schwameder H, Raschner C, et al,
2 Hoff J, Wisløff U, Engen LC, et al. Soccer specific aerobic endurance training. eds. Science and skiing II. Hamburg: Verlag Dr Kovac, 2001:403–12.
Br J Sports Med 2002;36:218–21. 25 Apor P. Successful formulae for fitness training. In: Reilly T, Less A, Davids K,
3 Helgerud J, Engen LC, Wisløff U, et al. Aerobic endurance training improves et al, eds. Science and football. London: E & FN Spon, 1988:95–107.
soccer performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001;33:1925–31. 26 O’Donoghue P. Time-motion analysis of work rate in elite soccer. In:
4 Léger LA, Mercier D, Gadoury C, et al. The multistage 20 metre shuttle run test Notational analysis of sport IV. Porto: M.H.a.F. Tavares. Centre for team
for aerobic fitness. J Sports Sci 1988;6:93–101. sports studies, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of
5 Léger L, Boucher R. An indirect continuous running multistage field test: the Porto, 2001:65–70.
Université de Montreal track test. Can J Appl Sport Sci 1980;5:77–84. 27 Schmidtbleicher D. Training for power events. In: Komi P, ed.
6 Kemi OJ, Hoff J, Engen LC, et al. Soccer specific testing of maximal oxygen Strength and power in sport. London: Blackwell Scientific Publications,
uptake. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2003;43:139–44. 1992:381–95.

www.bjsportmed.com