Physiological training effects of playing youth soccer

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if a 9-wk youth soccer program had any effect on cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max and VO2submax), peak knee torque, and flexibility. Subjects were 20 sixth grade boys, 11 of whom were members of a YMCA soccer team: 9 were normally active boys who were not participating in any organized sport during the study who served as a control group. Mean ages (+/- SD) were 11.8 +/- 0.34 and 11.5 +/- 0.60 yr for the soccer and control group, respectively. Initial VO2max values of 49.83 and 47.42 ml . kg-1 . min-1 for the soccer and the control group, respectively, are similar to those reported in the literature for untrained normal boys of this age. Results indicated that playing soccer three times weekly increased VEmax and reduced VO2 (ml . kg-1 . min-1 and 1 . min-1) at a submaximal running speed (all P's less than 0.05), while no change in VO2max was noted. No significant training effect was observed in peak knee torque or flexibility subsequent to soccer training. It is concluded that the effects of playing soccer in these subjects resulted in no change in cardiorespiratory fitness, peak knee torque, or flexibility.