The development of physical capacities in soccer determines the player's level of performance. The aim of this study was to compare anaerobic threshold and maximal oxygen uptake values between professional soccer players playing in different positions. Twenty-five male athletes (age = 22.08 ± 8.82 years, weight = 76.12 ± 9.8 kg, height = 179.8 ± 7.1 cm and body composition = 12.21 ± 3.67% body fat) were divided into five groups as follows: goalkeepers (GO), full backs (FB), sideways (SW), midfield (MF) and forwards (FO) and evaluated twice in two to three days period. For direct maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) determination, subjects were submitted to an incremental continuous treadmill exercise until fatigue occurred. Two-speeds track test (2 x 1,000 m at 90 and 95% of maximal speed) and linear interpolation were employed for 4mM blood lactate running speed (V4mM) or anaerobic threshold assessment. Main results are present below. V4mM for GO group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those found for any other group. In addition, SW and MF presented V4mM values which were significantly greater (p < 0.05) than those for FB and FO. VO2max for GO was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than those for other groups, which were not significantly different (p > 0.05) from one another. Since these athletes were under the same training program, the differences above may be explained by different metabolic solicitation (position specificity) during official and training games.
Soccer; Anaerobic threshold; Aerobic power
