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International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health
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P-ISSN: 2394-1685 | E-ISSN: 2394-1693 | CODEN: IJPEJB

Impact Factor (RJIF): 5.38

2020, Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part D

Physiological profile of Greek elite soccer players


Author(s): Athanasios Mourtziapis, Panagiotis Alexopoulos, Stylianos Kaprinis, Vasileios Dedes, Georgios Panoutsopoulos and George Kipreos

Abstract:
Modern professional soccer is a sport of especially high physiological demands and consequently physical condition is one of the most crucial and defining factors for succeeding in the sport. The aerobic and anaerobic mechanisms that are employed during a game are extremely demanding and the athlete must be in a position to cope with all kinds of physical strain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the short term and long term physiological adjustments observed in Greek soccer players and to point out the strong and weak points of their physiological profile. In order to examine the long term variation of the physical condition parameters, measurements were taken from a sample of one hundred professional soccer players in four different time periods; before and after preseason, in the middle and at the end of the season. The measurements included the assessment of a) anthropometric characteristics b) cardio respiratory endurance c) anaerobic capacity. The results showed there is statistically significant change (p>.01) in the maximal oxygen uptake capacity (VO2max), the maximal aerobic speed v-VΟ2max, the velocity at the anaerobic threshold, while there was a reduction in the variation of the maximal heart rate-HRmax and an increase in the mean pulmonary ventilation. The mean 10m velocity was reduced by 4%, while regarding the 30m velocity a reduction by 3.5% in average occurred. The ability to maintain mean speed during the Running Anaerobic Speed Test was reduced by 3.0 %. The mean agility speed according to the Illinois Agility Run Test was reduced by 3%. Lastly, the explosive power jumping ability and Squat Jump increased by 8.5%. In conclusion, soccer is a complex sport which poses high demands on all aspects of the athletes’ the physical condition. The coaches should be aware of their athletes’ training level and the results of the present study could contribute in designing suitable training plans and improving the training process on the whole.

Pages: 201-207  |  811 Views  148 Downloads

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How to cite this article:
Athanasios Mourtziapis, Panagiotis Alexopoulos, Stylianos Kaprinis, Vasileios Dedes, Georgios Panoutsopoulos, George Kipreos. Physiological profile of Greek elite soccer players. Int J Phys Educ Sports Health 2020;7(2):201-207.

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