Abstract
3/2014
vol. 31
Original paper
DIFFERENT ENDURANCE CHARACTERISTICS OF FEMALE AND MALE GERMAN SOCCER PLAYERS
Biol. Sport 2014;31:227-232
Online publish date: 2014/08/08
The aims of the present study were to assess gender differences regarding lactate threshold and
intermittent shuttle run performance in female and male soccer players as well as to investigate the relationships
between both endurance characteristics in both genders. Fourteen female (1st division) and thirteen male (4th
division) soccer players completed an incremental test (IT) to determine running velocities at 2 and 4 mmol · l-1
blood lactate (v2 and v4) and maximum velocity (vmax) as well as an interval shuttle run test (ISRT) to determine
running distance. Based on v2 and v4 and their percentages in relation to vmax, three intensity zones were
calculated: a low lactate zone (
zone (>v4). Female soccer players have a lower v4 (8.2%), vmax (11.3%) and ISRT distance (31.6%). No gender
difference was found in v2. In contrast to males, ISRT distance correlates with vmax as well as with v2 and v4
in female soccer players. The intensity zonesv4 differ between genders. The present study revealed
that gender differences increase when the running performance is intermittent including change of directions.
In both genders, different relationships between lactate threshold and intermittent shuttle run performance exist.
During incremental testing, the running performances of female and male players reflect different distributions
of aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways. The revealed gender differences should be considered for soccer
endurance training.
intermittent shuttle run performance in female and male soccer players as well as to investigate the relationships
between both endurance characteristics in both genders. Fourteen female (1st division) and thirteen male (4th
division) soccer players completed an incremental test (IT) to determine running velocities at 2 and 4 mmol · l-1
blood lactate (v2 and v4) and maximum velocity (vmax) as well as an interval shuttle run test (ISRT) to determine
running distance. Based on v2 and v4 and their percentages in relation to vmax, three intensity zones were
calculated: a low lactate zone (
zone (>v4). Female soccer players have a lower v4 (8.2%), vmax (11.3%) and ISRT distance (31.6%). No gender
difference was found in v2. In contrast to males, ISRT distance correlates with vmax as well as with v2 and v4
in female soccer players. The intensity zones
that gender differences increase when the running performance is intermittent including change of directions.
In both genders, different relationships between lactate threshold and intermittent shuttle run performance exist.
During incremental testing, the running performances of female and male players reflect different distributions
of aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways. The revealed gender differences should be considered for soccer
endurance training.
Keywords
aerobic, anaerobic, gender, interval shuttle run test, lactate threshold
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