What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Healthy professional soccer players (n=120). Intervention: Playing position vs. Other playing positions. Primary outcome: Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) (p=0.021).

May 24, 2016Open Access

Positional differences in the cardiorespiratory, autonomic, and somatic profiles of professional soccer players

MSMartin SemjonPalacký University Olomouc MBMichal BotekPalacký University Olomouc ZSZbyněk SvozilPalacký University Olomouc

Key Result

Goalkeepers demonstrated a significantly lower maximal oxygen uptake (p = 0.021) and supine vagal activity compared to outfield players, and along with central defenders, were significantly heavier and taller.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=120)

Multicenter

Structured PICO

Population

120 professional male soccer players from the Czech Republic first division who underwent pre-season anthropometrical, cardiorespiratory, and autonomic cardiac assessments.

Outcome

Position-specific differences in somatic (body mass, height, body fat percentage), cardiorespiratory (VO2max, resting heart rate), and autonomic cardiac profiles (HRV variables including Ln LF, Ln HF, Ln LF/HF, Ln rMSSD in standing and supine positions)surrogate

Main Result

p-value: p=0.021

Limitations

Lack of tests examining other parameters important for soccer performance such as acceleration, speed, agility, repeat-sprint, perceptual and cognitive ability
Additional HRV measurements are needed to ensure a better indication of true HRV baseline

Abstract

Background: In order to optimize training in soccer, knowledge about the specific position fitness demands and characteristics is required. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine whether there are position specific differences in somatic, cardiorespiratory and autonomic cardiac profiles of professional senior Czech soccer players. Methods: All players (N = 120) were divided into six groups according to field positions: goalkeeper (GK; n = 11), external defenders (ED; n = 15), central defenders (CD; n = 18), external midfielders (EM; n = 18), central midfielders (CM; n = 24) and forwards (F; n = 34). Players underwent anthropometrical and heart rate variability (HRV) assessment, and a maximal incremental running test in order to obtain maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and heart rate. HRV variables were transformed using the natural logarithm (Ln). Results: GK and CD were significantly (p = .005) heavier than ED, EM, CM, and F; while F were significantly (p = .026) heavier than CM and EM. GK and CD were significantly (p = .008) taller than ED, EM, CM, F; and EM were significantly (p = .041) shorter than CM and F. The only significant (p = .043) difference in percentage of body fat was observed in CD compared with CM. A significantly (p = .021) lower VO2max was observed for GK compared with ED, CD, EM, CM, and F. Supine HRV was significantly (p = .039) lower for Ln LF/HF in GK compared with F. Standing HRV was significantly (p = .03) lower for Ln LF in CD compared with both ED and F, significantly (p = .028) higher for Ln LF/HF in ED compared with CD and EM. Conclusions: In soccer, specific positions are associated with different height, body mass and aerobic capacity. A lower VO2max and vagal activity in GK compared with other playing positions may not be considered as disadvantage for performance in this specific playing position.

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