Repeated-sprint ability in professional and amateur soccer players

Rampinini E¹, Sassi A¹, Morelli A¹, Mazzoni S^1,2, Fanchini M³, Coutts AJ⁴

1, Human Performance Laboratory, MAPEI Sport Research Center, Castellanza, Varese, Italy;2, School of Sport and Exercise Science, Universitas Studiorum Insubriae, Varese, Italy;3, Pro Patria Calcio, Busto Arsizio, Varese, Italy;4, School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

This study investigated the repeated-sprint ability (RSA) physiological responses to a standardized, high-intensity, intermittent running test (HIT), maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) and oxygen uptake (VO₂) kinetics in male soccer players (professional (N = 12) and amateur (N = 11)) of different playing standards. The relationships between each of these factors and RSA performance were determined. Mean RSA time (RSA(mean)) and RSA decrement were related to the physiological responses to HIT (blood lactate concentration ([La^–]), r = 0.66 and 0.77; blood bicarbonate concentration ([HCO₃^–]), r = -0.71 and -0.75; and blood hydrogen ion concentration ([H⁺]), r = 0.61 and 0.73; all p < 0.05), VO_2max (r = -0.45 and -0.65, p < 0.05), and time constant (tau) in VO₂ kinetics (r = 0.62 and 0.62, p < 0.05). VO_2max was not different between playing standards (58.5 +/- 4.0 vs. 56.3 +/- 4.5 mL.kg^-1.min^-1; p = 0.227); however, the professional players demonstrated better RSA_mean (7.17 +/- 0.09 vs. 7.41 +/- 0.19 s; p = 0.001), lower [La^–] (5.7 +/- 1.5 vs. 8.2 +/- 2.2 mmol.L^-1; p = 0.004), lower [H+] (46.5 +/- 5.3 vs. 52.2 +/- 3.4 mmol.L^-1; p = 0.007), and higher [HCO3^–] (20.1 +/- 2.1 vs. 17.7 +/- 1.7 mmol.L^-1; p = 0.006) after the HIT, and a shorter in VO₂ kinetics (27.2 +/- 3.5 vs. 32.3 +/- 6.0 s; p = 0.019). These results show that RSA performance, the physiological response to the HIT, and differentiate between professional- and amateur-standard soccer players. Our results also show that RSA performance is related to VO_2max, tau, and selected physiological responses to a standardized, high-intensity, intermittent exercise.

Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2009 Dec;34(6):1048-54.

PMID: 20029513 DOI: 10.1139/H09-111