Williford, H. N., Scharff-Olson, M., Duey, W. J., Pugh, S., & Barksdale, J. M. (1999). Physiological status and prediction of cardiovascular fitness in highly trained youth soccer athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 13, 10-15.

This study evaluated the validity of the 20-m shuttle run test for predicting VO2max in prepubescent (12 years old) male soccer players (N = 13).

No significant differences were found between the observed and predicted VO2max values or lactate values. However, there was a small significant difference in the maximum heart rate in the two testing protocols.

Implication. The 20-m shuttle run test is a valid method for predicting the cardiovascular fitness of youth soccer players.

Return to Table of Contents for this issue.