Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Differences in physical fitness among indoor and outdoor elite male soccer players

  • Original Article
  • Published:
European Journal of Applied Physiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study compared anthropometric (body height, body mass, percent body fat, fat-free body mass) and physical fitness characteristics (vertical jump height, power-load curve of the leg, 5 and 15 m sprint running time and blood lactate concentrations ([La]b) at submaximal running velocities) among 15 elite male indoor soccer (IS) and 25 elite male outdoor soccer (OS) players. IS players had similar values in body height, body mass, fat-free body mass and endurance running than OS players. However, the IS group showed higher (P < 0.05–0.01) values in percent body fat (28%) and sprint running time (2%) but lower values in vertical jump (15%) and half-squat power (20%) than the OS group. Significant negative correlations (P < 0.05–0.01) were observed between maximal sprint running time, power production during half-squat actions, as well as [La]b at submaximal running velocities. Percent body fat correlated positively with maximal sprint time and [La]b, but correlated negatively with vertical jump height. The present results show that compared to elite OS players, elite IS players present clearly lower physical fitness (lower maximal leg extension power production) characteristics associated with higher values of percent body fat. This should give IS players a disadvantage during soccer game actions.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander MJ, Boreskie SL (1989) An analysis of fitness and time-motion characteristics of handball. Am J Sports Med 17:76–82. doi:10.1177/036354658901700113

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Arnason A, Sigurdsson SB, Gudmundsson A, Holme I, Engebretsen L, Bahr R (2004) Physical fitness, injuries, and team performance in soccer. Med Sci Sports Exerc 36:278–285. doi:10.1249/01.MSS.0000113478.92945.CA

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bangsbo J (1994) The physiology of soccer—with special reference to intense intermittent exercise. Acta Physiol Scand Suppl 619:1–155

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bangsbo J, Lindquist F (1992) Comparison of various exercise tests with endurance performance during soccer in professional players. Int J Sports Med 13:125–132. doi:10.1055/s-2007-1021243

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bangsbo J, Norregaard L, Thorso F (1991) Activity profile of competition soccer. Can J Sport Sci 16:110–116

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Barbero-Alvarez JC, Soto VM, Barbero-Alvarez V, Granda-Vera J (2008) Match analysis and heart rate of futsal players during competition. J Sports Sci 26:63–73. doi:10.1080/02640410701287289

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bosco C, Luhtanen P, Komi PV (1983) A simple method for measurement of mechanical power in jumping. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 50:273–282. doi:10.1007/BF00422166

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bosco C, Tihanyi J, Viru A (1996) Relationships between field fitness test and basal serum testosterone and cortisol levels in soccer players. Clin Physiol 16:317–322. doi:10.1111/j.1475-097X.1996.tb00577.x

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Carey D (2000) The validity of anthropometric regression equations in predicting percent body fat in collegiate wrestlers. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 40:254–259

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Casajus JA (2001) Seasonal variation in fitness variables in professional soccer players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 41:463–469

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Castagna C, D’Ottavio S, Vera JG, Alvarez JC (2008) Match demands of professional futsal: a case study. J Sci Med Sport. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2008.02.001

  • Costill DL, Thomason H, Roberts E (1973) Fractional utilization of the aerobic capacity during distance running. Med Sci Sports 5:248–252

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Davis JA, Brewer J, Atkin D (1992) Pre-season physiological characteristics of English first and second division soccer players. J Sports Sci 10:541–547. doi:10.1080/02640419208729950

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Edwards AM, Macfadyen AM, Clark N (2003) Test performance indicators from a single soccer specific fitness test differentiate between highly trained and recreationally active soccer players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 43:14–20

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ekblom B (1986) Applied physiology of soccer. Sports Med 3:50–60

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Faina M, Gallozi C, Lupo S, Colli R, Sassi R, Marini C (1988) Definition of the physiological profile of the soccer player. In: Reilly T, Less A, Davids K, Murphy WJ (eds) Science and football. E & FN Spon, London, pp 158–163

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorostiaga EM, Izquierdo M, Ruesta M, Iribarren J, Gonzalez-Badillo JJ, Ibanez J (2004) Strength training effects on physical performance and serum hormones in young soccer players. Eur J Appl Physiol 91:698–707. doi:10.1007/s00421-003-1032-y

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gorostiaga EM, Granados C, Ibanez J, Izquierdo M (2005) Differences in physical fitness and throwing velocity among elite and amateur male handball players. Int J Sports Med 26:225–232. doi:10.1055/s-2004-820974

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gorostiaga EM, Granados C, Ibanez J, Gonzalez-Badillo JJ, Izquierdo M (2006) Effects of an entire season on physical fitness changes in elite male handball players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 38:357–366. doi:10.1249/01.mss.0000184586.74398.03

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Granados C, Izquierdo M, Ibanez J, Ruesta M, Gorostiaga EM (2008) Effects of an entire season on physical fitness in elite female handball players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 40:351–361

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hoff J, Almasbakk B (1995) The effects of maximum strength training on throwing velocity and muscle strength in female team-handball players. J Strength Cond Res 9:255–258

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoff J, Helgerud J (2004) Endurance and strength training for soccer players: physiological considerations. Sports Med 34:165–180. doi:10.2165/00007256-200434030-00003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Izquierdo M, Hakkinen K, Gonzalez-Badillo JJ, Ibanez J, Gorostiaga EM (2002) Effects of long-term training specificity on maximal strength and power of the upper and lower extremities in athletes from different sports. Eur J Appl Physiol 87:264–271. doi:10.1007/s00421-002-0628-y

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jackson AS, Pollock ML (1978) Generalized equations for predicting body density of men. Br J Nutr 40:497–504. doi:10.1079/BJN19780152

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McInnes SE, Carlson JS, Jones CJ, McKenna MJ (1995) The physiological load imposed on basketball players during competition. J Sports Sci 13:387–397. doi:10.1080/02640419508732254

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mohr M, Krustrup P, Bangsbo J (2003) Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue. J Sports Sci 21:519–528. doi:10.1080/0264041031000071182

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pers J, Bon M, Kovacic S, Sibila M, Dezman B (2002) Observation and analysis of large-scale human motion. Hum Mov Sci 21:295–311. doi:10.1016/S0167-9457(02)00096-9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reilly T, Thomas V (1977) Effects of a programme of pre-season training on the fitness of soccer players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 17:401–412

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reilly T, Williams AM, Nevill A, Franks A (2000) A multidisciplinary approach to talent identification in soccer. J Sports Sci 18:695–702. doi:10.1080/02640410050120078

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rienzi E, Drust B, Reilly T, Carter JE, Martin A (2000) Investigation of anthropometric and work-rate profiles of elite South American international soccer players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 40:162–169

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Stolen T, Chamari K, Castagna C, Wisloff U (2005) Physiology of soccer: an update. Sports Med 35:501–536. doi:10.2165/00007256-200535060-00004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Strudwick A, Reilly T, Doran D (2002) Anthropometric and fitness profiles of elite players in two football codes. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 42:239–242

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weltman A (1995) The blood lactate response to exercise. Human Kinetics, Champaign

    Google Scholar 

  • White JE, Emery TM, Kane JE, Groves R, Risman AB (1988) Pre-season fitness profiles of professional soccer players. In: Reilly T, Less A, Davids K, Murphy WJ (eds) Science and football. E & FN Spon, London, pp 164–171

    Google Scholar 

  • Wisloff U, Helgerud J, Hoff J (1998) Strength and endurance of elite soccer players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 30:462–467. doi:10.1097/00005768-199803000-00019

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wisloff U, Castagna C, Helgerud J, Jones R, Hoff J (2004) Strong correlation of maximal squat strength with sprint performance and vertical jump height in elite soccer players. Br J Sports Med 38:285–288. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2002.002071

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wittich A, Oliveri MB, Rotemberg E, Mautalen C (2001) Body composition of professional football (soccer) players determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry. J Clin Densitom 4:51–55. doi:10.1385/JCD:4:1:51

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zerguini Y, Kirkendall D, Junge A, Dvorak J (2007) Impact of Ramadan on physical performance in professional soccer players. Br J Sports Med 41:398–400. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2006.032037

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research, Studies and Sport Medicine Center, Government of Navarra, C/ Sangüesa 34, 31005, Pamplona, Navarre, Spain

    Esteban M. Gorostiaga, Iñaki Llodio, Javier Ibáñez, Cristina Granados, Ion Navarro, Maite Ruesta, Henry Bonnabau & Mikel Izquierdo

Authors
  1. Esteban M. Gorostiaga
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Iñaki Llodio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Javier Ibáñez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Cristina Granados
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Ion Navarro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Maite Ruesta
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Henry Bonnabau
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Mikel Izquierdo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Esteban M. Gorostiaga.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Gorostiaga, E.M., Llodio, I., Ibáñez, J. et al. Differences in physical fitness among indoor and outdoor elite male soccer players. Eur J Appl Physiol 106, 483–491 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1040-7

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-009-1040-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation