Abstract des Autors

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare specific anthropometric and physiological characteristics of twenty four male South Australian soccer players who were competing in the Australian National League (n = 10) and State League (n = 14). Measures of anthropometry, maximal aerobic power (VO2max), ventilatory threshold (Tvent), anaerobic work capacity (AWC), anaerobic power (AP) and flexibility were assessed during the latter stages of the competitive season. National League players demonstrated significantly higher Tvent (14.5 +/- 0.7 vs 13.1 +/- 0.9 km/h) and AWC (66.0 +/- 10.6 vs 54.5 +/- 8.8 s) scores, but there were no significant differences for VO2max (57.6 +/- 3.5 vs 56.7 +/- 3.0 ml/kg/min), AP (50.2 +/- 3.2 vs 52.0 +/- 5.3 cm), flexibility scores (12.0 +/- 5.4 vs 7.0 +/- 13.0 cm) or anthropometry. These findings indicated that although the maximal power of aerobic and anaerobic work was similar between the groups, National League players demonstrated an ability to work at higher submaximal speeds with minimal metabolic acidosis and possessed greater capacities for anaerobic work. A high degree of anthropometric homogeneity was demonstrated within the whole sample, and poor flexibility scores identified a need for a greater emphasis on flexibility training in both groups. Verf.-Referat