Abstract
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 Åstrand 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 V̇O2 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 V̇O2 max, and the incidence of distorsion injuries tended to be lower among subjects with high estimated V̇O2 max. No correlation was found regarding the total incidence of injuries and estimated V̇O2 max. No significant difference in estimated V̇O2 max was registered between the tests before and after the season.
Key words
soccer - injuries - oxygen uptake - physical work capacity
