Correlations between VO2max and match distance running performance of soccer players with visual impairment

Abstract Background Aerobic capacity is crucial for the performance of soccer players. However, the relationship between aerobic capacity and the running performance of visually impaired soccer players is not clear. Aims The aims of this study were: (a) to determine the differences of lab measured VO2max between athletes and sedentary with visual impairment (VI); and to assess the relationship between lab measured VO2max of soccer players with VI (b) with the total distance that was covered in a soccer match and (c) with physiological parameters during soccer match. Methods Six male soccer players with VI and six male sedentary people with VI participated in this study. An analyzed match running performance of the six soccer players during soccer matches took place using a global positioning system. VO2max of all the participants was measured in a laboratory. Results Soccer players’ weight was 33% lower and their BMI was 23% lower than this of the sedentary men (p = .023, η2 = .457 & p = .038, η2 = .394 respectively). The relative with body mass VO2max of athletes was 42.9% higher in comparison with sedentary men with VI (p = .002, η2 = .755). No correlations were found between VO2max and match running performance (p = .679) and other parameters during the match in soccer players with VI. Conclusions The results demonstrate that soccer players presented more healthy anthropometric and physiological characteristics than sedentary people with VI. The match running performance depends on the tactical role of each player in the team and the rules of the match.