Aerobic and anaerobic power characteristics of Saudi elite soccer players.

Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Department of Physical Education and Movement Sciences, College of Education, King Saud University, P.O. Box 9792, Riyadh, 11423, Saudi Arabia.The purposes of this study were to assess the aerobic and anaerobic characteristics of Saudi elite soccer players, and to examine the interrelationship between measures of aerobic and anaerobic power in the elite soccer players. 23 outfield elite soccer players representing the Saudi national team participated. Their means (±SD) for age, body mass, height and estimated fat % were: 25.2±2.3 years; 73.1±6.8 kg; 177.2±5.9 cm; and 12.3±2.7%, respectively. Cardiorespiratory parameters, including maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), were assessed by open-circuit spirometry during graded treadmill running. Anaerobic power measures were obtained using Wingate anaerobic test, and included peak power (PP), and average power for 5 sec (AP 5), 10 sec (AP 10), 20 sec (AP 20) and 30 sec (AP 30). Results showed that mean (±SD) values for VO2max in absolute and relative to body mass were 4.16±0.34 l.min-1 and 56.8±4.8 ml.kg-1.min-1, respectively. Such VO2max value was 118% and 80% of those reported for Saudi college males and distance runners, respectively. The ventilatory anaerobic threshold (Tvent) averaged 43.6 ml.kg-1.min-1. There were no significant differences in VO2max and Tvent between players based on positions, although the midfielders and the centre-backs had the highest and the lowest individual values for both measures, respectively. Values (±SD) of PP and AP 30 were 873.6±141.8 W (11.88±1.3 W.kg-1), and 587.7±55.4 W (8.02±0.53 W.kg-1), respectively. Only in absolute PP & AP 30 were the centre-backs significantly superior to the other players. In addition, VO2max was inversely related to PP (r=-0.54; p<0.05) and positively related to AP 30 (r=0.45; p