Does Aerobic Capacity Change According to Position in Football Players?

Abstract

Aerobic capacity plays an important role in football as it influences players' physical performance and long-lasting endurance levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the aerobic capacity levels of football players playing in different positions according to the positions they play. The study group consisted of 83 football players in super amateur league. Football players playing in 8 different positions voluntarily participated in the study (goalkeeper: n= 8, defender: n=13, left back: n=9, right back: n=7, midfield: n=24, left winger: n=7, right winger: n=7 striker: n=8). Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (YYIRT1) was applied to determine the aerobic endurance parameters of the players. One-way ANOVA analysis was used to compare the distance travelled, average speed (km/h) and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) values. It was determined that there was a significant difference between the test parameters of the players in different playing positions, and this difference was found to be between the left back players, goalkeepers, and stoppers (p<0.05). It was determined that goalkeepers had the lowest average aerobic capacity in the distances travelled by the players by position, while back players and wingers had high aerobic capacity averages. According to these results, we can say that the aerobic capacities of football players vary according to their positions, and the physiological demands of the position played by back players and wingers are effective in the distance travelled and the football players have different aerobic capacities.