Santos, P. J., Valente, A. P., & Soares, J. M. (2001). Aerobic capacity versus total distance covered during a game in elite soccer players. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 33(5), Supplement abstract 886.

Total distance covered in a soccer game was related to aerobic functioning at the running speed that elicited 4 mmol/l of lactate. Male professional soccer players (N = 9) served as Ss.

A significant correlation was found between total distance covered and running velocity at the 4 mmol/l level. The aerobic measure accounted for 60% of total distance covered variance.

Implication. The aerobic capacity of a soccer player will exert a strong determining influence on the amount of running that can be performed in a game.

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