Physical activity of elite football players using different regimes of energy metabolism

Background. The physical activity of 29 football players using either aerobic or anaerobic energy regimes was tested during official games and in the laboratory. Material and methods. Under conditions of gradually increasing power on a treadmill, maximal running speed (V, km/h), oxygen consumption (VO2, mL/min/kg), heart rate (HR, beats/min), and anaerobic metabolism threshold (AT mL/min/kg) were determined, and blood lactate (BLact, mmol/L) was measured. Results. The correlation between the total length of distance run during the game and treadmill running speed for the outcome measures were as follows: anaerobic metabolism threshold, r=0.54 (p=0.032), BLact, r=0.37 (p=0.034), VO2max, r=0.41 (p=0.027), and HR, r=0.36 (p=0.047). We found aerobic mechanisms were dominant in ensuring the game activity of football players. Specifically, aerobic mechanisms contribute roughly 32.4-43.8% to playing activity, while aerobic-anaerobic energy supply mechanisms provide for only 17%. Lactic and alactic mechanisms provide for 5.6% and 1.6%, respectively. Conclusions. The results provide valuable information on the relationship between football play activity and aerobic and anaerobic energy supply mechanisms. Enhancing the functionality of the anaerobic lactic-alactic energy system can lead to growth and improvements in physical performance in football players.