Is there a difference in VO2max between Premier league footballers (Chelsea FC) and Championship foo

Introduction

Different levels of sport require particular elements that are pertinent to the division and class. Most notably skill level, the higher up the pyramid the greater demand for excellence is required. Does fitness and its many components (speed, stamina, power, flexibility etc.) also increase with skill level?

Null hypothesis (HO)

There is no significant difference between Chelsea FC and Charlton FC in overall team VO2max values, both absolute and relative.

Experimental hypothesis

There is a clear significant difference between Chelsea FC and Charlton FC in overall team VO2max values, both absolute and relative.

Method

8 players from Chelsea FC were chosen (mean ± SD: age 19.63 ± 1.19 yr, body mass 72.86 ± 9.23kg, height 1.74 ± 0.1m, absolute VO2max 4.61 ± 0.98 L•min-1, SE 0.35, relative VO2max 64.25 ± 15.21 mL•kg•min-1, SE 5.38) and 8 players from Charlton FC were chosen (mean ± SD: age 22.63 ± 2.33 yr, body mass 71.25 ± 6.54kg, height 1.71 ± 0.07m, absolute VO2max 4.04 ± 0.41 L•min-1, SE 0.14, relative VO2max 57.43 ± 10.36 mL•kg•min-1, SE 3.66) to determine the differences in VO2max between the Premier league and the Championship.

Statistical analysis

With two data sets (Chelsea FC and Charlton FC) measuring the same variables (Absolute and relative VO2max) and assuming that the data is parametric (Thomas, Nelson, Silverman, 2010); an Independent t test was used to calculate the significance of the results. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. For statistical analysis, SPSS software was used. r was calculated using the equation r = √t2÷(t2+DoF).

Table 1.1. Absolute and relative mean VO2max, SD, significant and correlation results for Premier league (Chelsea FC n = 8) and Championship (Charlton FC n = 8), t(14) = 1.52 absolute VO2max, t(14) = 1.05 relative VO2max, *p = ≤ 0.05, ** p = ≥ 0.05.

Fig 1.1 – Mean Values for absolute VO2max both Premier League (mean 4.61 L•min-1 SD ± 0.98, Chelsea FC) and Championship (mean 4.04 L•min-1 SD ± 0.41, Charlton FC) teams.

Fig 1.2 - Mean Values for relative VO2max both Premier League (mean 64.25 L•min•kg-1 SD ± 15.21, Chelsea FC) and Championship (mean 57.43 mL•kg•min-1 SD ± 10.36, Charlton FC) teams.

Results

Absolute and relative VO2max of both Chelsea FC (absolute VO2max 4.61 ± 0.98 L•min-1, SE 0.35, relative VO2max 64.25 ± 15.21 mL•kg•min-1) and Charlton FC (absolute VO2max 4.04 ± 0.41 L•min-1, SE 0.14, relative VO2max 57.43 ± 10.36 mL•kg•min-1) was not statistically different, Absolute; t(14) = 1.52, p (one-tailed) = .16, r = .14, Relative; t(14) = 1.05, p (one-tailed) = .59, r = .07. Using Levene’s test for equality of variances (sig. p = ≤ .05) equal variances are assumed and the null hypothesis (HO) can be accepted (Colpus, 2014).

Discussion

This study was to determine a significant difference in VO2max levels for elite football players in different leveled leagues. What the results represent is that although the more elite team, Chelsea FC, had higher mean averages for both absolute and relative VO2max (Absolute 4.61 L•min-1 and Relative 64.25 mL•kg•min-1) than Charlton FC (Absolute 4.04 L•min-1 and Relative 57.43 mL•kg•min-1), the gap is not significant enough to suggest Premier league footballers have higher VO2max values. An explanation to the results could be that 1 player from Chelsea FC (player 7) has a lower relative VO2max (32.27 mL•kg•min-1) than the rest of the players. As regards to player positions, the low measure could indicate that this is a goalkeeper, a position that requires less of a cardiovascular output (Tønnessen, Hem, Leirstein, Haugen, and Seiler, 2013) and is less likely to require a high VO2max. Replacing this potential goalkeeper with a player that does require a high VO2max, such as a midfielder or full back could have a significant impact on the results and could have a greater influence on the relative VO2max mean team score of 64.25 mL•kg•min-1. This could however just be human error, since the findings are external the implications of the results can only be speculation.

VO2max can be defined as: Maximum volume of oxygen consumed by the body each minute during large muscle group exercise at a high intensity breathing sea level air (Karsten, 2015). Absolute VO2max can be considered too general and does not relate to the individual. For instance a small footballer with a very higher VO2max will outscore a footballer whom is heavier and taller with a lower VO2max will appear less disposed to difficult aerobic work. However, once bodyweight is considered and the score is divided by that bodyweight a clear ratio of that individual is obtained and a relative VO2max score can be analysed.

In summary, based on upon the results of measuring absolute and relative VO2max there is not a clear indication of superiority among different levels of football players. However, using either different samples from the same teams or new teams and measuring the same variables again would help to quantify the findings. The method used has not been disclosed but based on other findings (Wasserman, Hansen, Sue, Stringer and Whipp, 2005), the same test can be done in 1-2 session but does require some expensive equipment.

References

1. Wasserman, K., Hansen, J. E., Sue, D. Y., Stringer, W. W., & Whipp, B. J. (2004). Principles of Exercise Testing and Interpretation: Including Pathophysiology and Clinical Applications 4e (4th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

2. Thomas, J. R., Nelson, J. K., & Silverman, S. J. (2010). Research methods in physical activity (6th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers.

3. IMPELLIZZERI, F. M., RAMPININI, E., COUTTS, A. J., SASSI, A., & MARCORA, S. M. (2004). Use of RPE-Based Training Load in Soccer. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 36(6), 1042–1047.

4. Colpus, M. (n.d.). SPSS - Difference and Relationship Testing . Centre for Sports Science and Human Performance.

5. Tønnessen , E., Hem, E., Leirstein, S., Haugen , T., & Seiler , S. (2013). Maximal Aerobic Power Characteristics of Male Professional Soccer Players, 1989-2012. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 8.

6. Karsten, B. (2015). Maximal Oxygen Uptake and the Concept of Lactate Threshold and Lactate Turn-Point. University of Greenwich.

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