The level of aerobic capacity of elite junior team and senior professional team at the beginning of the preparatory period in soccer
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine and compare the state of aerobic capacity of a men's professional football team against the oldest junior elite team at the beginning of practice period. The group of the adult players consisted of 17 players (age: 23.5 ± 3.2 years, body weight: 76.5 ± 4.2 kg, height: 183.3 ± 3.2 cm, BMI: 22.8 ± 0.7 kg.m-2) the Under 19 group consisted of 14 players (age: 18.3 ± 0.2 years, body weight: 74.9 ± 6.5 kg, height: 181.5 ± 6.3 cm and BMI: 22.8 ± 0.7 kg.m-2).
Monitoring and evaluation of aerobic parameters used the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test 1 (Yo-Yo IRT1). The difference between thegroups was statistically significant when comparing averages of the results based on the overall distance run and parameter VO2max.
Differences in parameters HRmax and decrease of HR in a 1 minute were not statistically significant. A transition from a junior category to an adult one puts significant demands on the speed within the game and performance of individual in-game activities.
All the surveyed parameters are only a necessary prerequisites for top performance in a match.