The Effects of a 90-Minute Soccer Match on Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity, and Repeated Sprint Ability

INTRODUCTION: Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. Players have different skills for their positions; they must be able to maintain their physical performance at satisfactory levels to compete at elite levels. Although a large amount of data has been published regarding physical characteristics of soccer players, the literature sheds little light on the physiological demands and performance decrements that occur with participation in a soccer match. To address this gap, this study investigated how fatigue development affects the aerobic and anaerobic performance variables before and after a 90-minute soccer match. METHODOLOGY: Fifteen experienced male collegiate and elite club-level soccer players were recruited from Sonoma State University, Santa Rosa Junior College, and Sonoma County Sol, (mean + SD) age 23.0 + 2.56 years, height 175.7 + 4.75 (cm), weight 71.8 + 6.51 (kg), BMI of 23.3 + 1.82 (cm/kg). The study tested physiological stress before and after a 90-min soccer match, in aerobic capacity using a beep test, sprint performance using repeated sprint ability, and long anaerobic capacity using a 400-meter sprint test. Following performance testing, results were evaluated with repeated measures of ANOVA, and PRE and POST dependent variables were compared to see if there were any significant differences among trials. RESULTS: The results indicated that there were significant differences between PRE and POST beep tests (P0.05). RSA had significant differences between PRE and POST (P0.05). There were significant differences between PRE and POST 400-meter sprint tests (P0.05). CONCLUSION: Results showed the reduction of aerobic and anaerobic performance after a full 90-minute soccer match. The test results assist coaches in evaluating the physiological status of soccer players in order to provide the most effective training methods, diet and tactics to enhance performance.