Allometric modelling of peak oxygen uptake in male soccer players of 8–18 years of age

Abstract

Background: Peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak) is routinely scaled as mL O₂ per kilogram body mass despite theoretical and statistical limitations of using ratios.

Aim: To examine the contribution of maturity status and body size descriptors to age-associated inter-individual variability in VO_2peak and to present static allometric models to normalize VO_2peak in male youth soccer players.

Subjects and methods: Total body and estimates of total and regional lean mass were measured with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in a cross-sectional sample of Portuguese male soccer players. The sample was divided into three age groups for analysis: 8–12 years, 13–15 years and 16–18 years. VO_2peak was estimated using an incremental maximal exercise test on a motorized treadmill. Static allometric models were used to normalize VO_2peak.

Results: The independent variables with the best statistical fit explained 72% in the younger group (lean body mass: k = 1.07), 52% in mid-adolescent players (lean body mass: k = 0.93) and 31% in the older group (body mass: k = 0.51) of variance in VO_2peak. The inclusion of the exponential term pubertal status marginally increased the explained variance in VO_2peak (adjusted R²= 36–75%) and provided statistical adjustments to the size descriptors coefficients.

Conclusion: The allometric coefficients and exponents evidenced the varying inter-relationship among size descriptors and maturity status with aerobic fitness from early to late-adolescence. Lean body mass, lean lower limbs mass and body mass combined with pubertal status explain most of the inter-individual variability in VO_2peak among youth soccer players.

• Aerobic fitness
• body composition
• growth
• static allometry
• youth athletes

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [SFRH/BD/64648/2009].

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.