Comparison of maximal aerobic velocity assessed with laboratory and field measurements in elite soccer players

Maximal aerobic velocity (MAV, velocity at VO2max is related to aerobic performance and used as a criteria to choosing training intensity. Various continuous and discontinuous field tests have been proposed to measure MAV, but only a few provide accurate estimates of MAV. The VAM-EVAL test (adapted from Léger and Boucher, 1980) was proposed as a continuous multistage field test to determine MAV and is empirically used by several national and international soccer coaches. PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to compare the MAV obtained from the VAMEVAL test with an incremental (1 km.h-1 per min) treadmill test with expired gas analysis. METHODS: Eleven professional Qatari soccer players (20.3 ± 0.4 yrs, 175.2 ± 1.5 cm 67.4 ± 2.3 kg) completed the two protocols to measure MAV with one week between protocols. Heart rate (HR) was recorded during both testing sessions that were conducted in similar environmental conditions. Data were analyzed by a one way ANOVA for repeated measure and are presented as mean ± SD. RESULTS: Test duration of VAM-EVAL was significantly longer than the treadmill test (16 ± 1.8 min vs. 10.4 ± 1.4 min, respectively; P < 0.01). The maximal HR values were significantly higher for VAM-EVAL than for treadmill test (190 ± 7 bpm vs. 184 ± 9 bpm, respectively; P < 0.01). The MAV reached at the end of VAM-EVAL was significantly lower than the treadmill velocity at VO2max (15.5 ± 0.9 km.h-1 vs. 17.4 ± 1.4 km.h-1, respectively; P < 0.01). The two velocities were not correlated (r = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS: The VAM-EVAL increments of 0.5 km.h-1 per min. induced a higher amount of work to reach a given velocity than the 1 km.h-1 per min. incremental treadmill protocol. This lead to a higher HR response during VAM-EVAL than the treadmill test, which was probably responsible for the cessation of exercise at a lower velocity. It was concluded that reaching MAV is not the limiting factor to VAM-EVAL and should not be used for this purpose