Summary:
The aim of this dissertation is to investigate cardiorespiratory endurance - aerobic and
anaerobic threshold in semi-professional footballers, as well as whether it is influenced
by an age factor.
For the implementation of the research, ergometric test of cardiorespiratory endurance
was performed on semi-professional soccer players (n = 21), who were divided into two
age groups. The first group included those players who were younger than 22 years old
(n = 10), height 180.3 ± 5.68 cm and with an average fat percentage of 8.93. 1.68%. The
second group consisted of players 22 years and older (n = 11), height 178.6 ± 6.9 cm and
body fat 9.44 ± 2.13%. The cardiorespiratory endurance variables used were Maximum
Oxygen Intake (VO2max), Velocity at Maximum Oxygen Intake (vVO2max), Maximum
Heart Rate (Puls_max), Velocity at anaerobic threshold, pulse threshold (pulse threshold),
Maximum Oxygen Intake at the Anaerobic Threshold (AK_VO2MAX_F) and Maximum
Heart Rate at the Anaerobic Threshold (AK-PULSMAX-F). A floor ergometer and a
chest band were used to measure oxygen uptake and heart rate, and two criteria were used
to determine the anaerobic threshold. The data obtained from the ergometric test were
statistically processed first on an Excel sheet and then with the statistical processing
program SPSS 26. In the analysis descriptive statistical indicators such as mean (MO)
and standard deviation (TA) were used, while for comparison of independent variables
(two age groups) the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. The significance level was
set at p <0.05.
The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two
age groups, except in the variable Maximum Oxygen Intake (VO2max) (p <0.05). In most
variables the ergometric data of younger players were higher, although the differences
were negligible and not statistically significant.
In conclusion, it seems that age does not affect the cardiorespiratory endurance - aerobic
and anaerobic thresholds - of footballers at the semi-professional level. The results
provide important information that coaches should take into account.
Keywords:
Cardiorespiratory endurance, aerobic and anaerobic threshold, age, semioccupational level
