Evaluation and relationship among different fitness parameters in semi professional soccer players

The aims of this study were, first, to analyze cardiovascular capacity, performance in the straight sprint, change of direction ability (CODA) and horizontal jump ability in semi-professional soccer players, and secondly, to examine the relationship among the different abilities. This study involved 18 semi professional soccer players (25.6 +/- 4.8 years, 1.82 +/-.1 m, 77.9 +/- 7.1 kg, 23.6 +/- 1.8 kg.m(-2)). The estimated VO2 max obtained in the Yo-Yo intermittent endurance level 1 test (YYIR1) was 51.70 +/- 3.94 ml.kg(-1) . min(-1). The results in the 5 m sprint (SP5), 15 m sprint (SP15) and Modified Agility T-test (MAT) were 1.01 +/- .05 s, 2.39 +/- .10 s and 4.89 +/- .23 s, respectively. In the horizontal jump (HJ) an average distance of 1.97 +/- .15 m for the countermovement jump (HCMJ) and 2.37 +/- .16 m for the arm swing counter movement jump (HCMJAS) was obtained. Significant and high correlations between the values of SP15 and MAT (r = 0.757, p < .01) and the HCMJ (r = -.749, p < .01) were observed. Correlations found among different anaerobic qualities, can lead us to think that it might be interesting to implement specific horizontal jump training routines to improve performance of sprint and change of direction abilities in soccer players.