Cardiovascular Responses During Indoor Soccer Competition

Abstract

In this study, the aim was to investigate the cardiovascular responses that happen in players during indoor soccer (IS) competitions. Nine participants, indoor soccer players in the Universities League, took part in the study (20.66 ± 1.87 age; 177 ± 4.5 height; 73.33 ± 8.07 weight). Cardiovascular changes happening during the competition were measured through a heart rate (HR) monitor that records once per second (Polar V800, Lake Success, NY, USA), and running distances by the Polar GPS (Polar V800, Lake Success, NY, USA) system. Maximum oxygen usage capacity of the participants (VO_2max) was determined by using Yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1, one of the indirect measurement methods. Cardiovascular loads coming out during the competition were separated into three zones for the sake of better understanding: HR_max 70%, low-intensity zone; HR_max between 70-85%, moderate intensity zone; and HR_max 85% and over, high intensity zone. Descriptive statistics were used in the assessment of the data obtained. The average distance that the participants covered, according to the GPS measurements, was found to be 1617 ± 873 m, on average VO_2max 47.33 ± 4,47ml.kg per min^-1. The participants spent 72,2% of the time that they were active in the game in the high intensity zone. The fact that participants spent a high percentage of time in this zone that consisted of high intensity activities clearly showed that indoor soccer is an intermittent high intensity branch of sports. Participants spent 15,8% in the low intensity zone indicating that repetitive loads without the opportunity for recovery could be found. Having a high percentage of high intensity activity may negatively affect performance because of fatigue; thus, it is important to organize the optimum in-play time for the indoor soccer players to get better performance.