Influence of competitive level and tactical position on parameters of aerobic performance in professional soccer athletes from Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to verify the influence of the competitive level and the tactical position on parameters related to aerobic performance of professional soccer players. 453 ergospirometric evaluations were analyzed from soccer professional athletes (42 goalkeepers, 92 full backs, 61 sideways, 174 midfielders and 84 forwards) that acted in four competitive levels: National Championship Series A; Series B; Series C; and State Championship. It was found no differences in mean values of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and second ventilatory threshold (LV2) between the competitive levels (p >; 0.05). The goalkeepers showed VO2max and LV2 (56 and 50 mL/kg.min, respectively) significant lower than full backs (59 and 52 mL/kg.min; p = 0.002 e p = 0.028), sideways (60 and 53 mL/kg.min; p = 0.000 e p = 0.004), midfields (59 and 52 mL/kg.min; p = 0.002 e p = 0.031) and forwards (59 and 52 mL/kg.min; p = 0.047 e p = 0.036). Therefore, the findings suggest that: 1) the aerobic performance does not differ according the competitive level; and 2) the goalkeepers have aerobic performance inferior to out-field players, which do not show differences between them.