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Comparison between invasive and non-invasive methods for the determination of the aerobic capacity of professional soccer players

The anaerobic threshold (AT) may be determined by protocols that use fixed blood lactate concentration (OBLA - onset of blood lactate accumulation) and others that apply individualized procedures as the lactate minimum test (LACmin). The measuring of the aerobic capacity from AT demands the use of sophisticated equipment and high cost per athlete, which makes it limited. The 12-minutes Cooper test is applied as an alternative way. The main objective of the present study was to compare the exercise intensity of a 12-minute Cooper test with the velocities of AT determined by protocol adapted from Tegtbur test (Lac minat) and OBLA in professionals soccer players. Sixteen athletes from the A3-São Paulo State Soccer league participated in this study. Each athlete was available in the three tests with a minimum and maximal interval of 48 and 72 hours, respectively. The results show that the intensities obtained in the Cooper test were different from the OBLA velocities (15.09 ± 0.94 and 14.28 ± 1.02, respectively) but were significantly correlated. Cooper and OBLA were not correlated with Lac minat, but the velocities were similar to this protocol test. Thus, from regression analysis between Cooper and OBLA values, it was possible to determinate a correction equation that allows, through a non-invasive test (Cooper), obtaining the velocity corresponding to OBLA.

Anaerobic threshold; OBLA; Minimum lactate and Cooper test


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