Professional soccer players aged 30-39 years had significantly lower VO2max (56.6 vs 59.6 ml/kg/min) and reduced vagal activity compared to those aged 17-19.9 years.
Cross-Sectional (n=124)
How do somatic characteristics, endurance performance, and heart rate variability profiles differ across age groups in professional soccer players?
Professional soccer players exhibit a shift towards sympathetic dominance and reduced vagal activity after approximately 8 years of professional competition, alongside a decline in maximal oxygen uptake in the oldest age group.
Abstract This cross-sectional study compared somatic, endurance performance determinants and heart rate variability (HRV) profiles of professional soccer players divided into different age groups: GI (17–19.9 years; n = 23), GII (20–24.9 years; n = 45), GIII (25–29.9 years; n = 30), and GIV (30–39 years; n = 26). Players underwent somatic and HRV assessment and maximal exercise testing. HRV was analyzed by spectral analysis of HRV, and high (HF) and low (LF) frequency power was transformed by a natural logarithm (Ln). Players in GIV (83 ± 7 kg) were heavier (p 25 years showed negligible differences in Pmax unlike the age group differences demonstrated in VO2max. A shift towards relative sympathetic dominance, particularly due to reduced vagal activity, was apparent after approximately 8 years of competing at the professional level.
Botek et al. (Thu,) conducted a cross-sectional in Professional soccer players (n=124). Older age (30-39 years) vs. Younger age (17-19.9 years) was evaluated on Somatic, endurance performance, and heart rate variability profiles. Professional soccer players aged 30-39 years had significantly lower VO2max (56.6 vs 59.6 ml/kg/min) and reduced vagal activity compared to those aged 17-19.9 years.