Overuse and distorsion soccer injuries related to the player's estimated maximal aerobic work capacity

Fourty senior male soccer players were selected for this study. Before the season, each subject performed an exercise test, and the maximal capacity of oxygen uptake was estimated according to Astrand and Rhyming. The exercise test was repeated in 25 subjects 6 months later. The subjects were then ranked according to their estimated maximal capacity of oxygen uptake (estimated VO2 max) at the first test and allocated into one of three groups of similar size. During the season, all new injuries were examined and registered by an orthopaedic surgeon, and the subjects were allocated into one of three groups (overuse injuries, distorsion injuries, and other injuries). There were significantly more overuse injuries among subjects with high estimated VO2 max, and the incidence of distorsion injuries tended to be lower among subjects with high estimated VO2 max. No correlation was found regarding the total incidence of injuries and estimated VO2 max. No significant difference in estimated VO2 max was registered between the tests before and after the season.