PubMed · 1991 · 853 citations · 0 references
EducationKinesiologySports MedicineExercise PhysiologyHuman PerformancePhysical ActivityAerobic ExerciseAthletic PerformanceActivitiesAthletic Performance TestingBlood Lactate AssessmentBlood Lactate MeasurementBlood Lactate TestingLactate InterpretationLactate Profile TestingSports Performance Testing
The study filmed 14 top‑level players during competitive matches to analyze movement patterns and assess the relationship between observed activity and blood lactate levels. The results showed an average match distance of 10.80 km with a 0.92 km inter‑match variation, midfielders covering 10 % more than defenders and forwards, a strong correlation between high‑intensity running and lactate concentration (r = 0.61), and that lactate levels mainly indicate recent high‑intensity activity rather than overall exertion.
In order to study the movement pattern of soccer players, 14 top-level players were filmed during several competitive matches. In addition, the relationship between the observed activity during match play and blood lactate values was examined. The mean distance covered during competitive matches was 10.80 km, and the average individual difference between matches was 0.92 km, with no difference in regard to high intensity activities. Midfielders covered a 10% longer (p less than 0.05) distance (11.4 km) than defenders and forwards, with no difference concerning high intensity running. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.61, p less than 0.05) between the amount of high intensity running during the match and lactate concentration in the blood. The results suggest that high intensity running can be used for making comparisons in soccer and that the interpretation of blood lactate in soccer is limited to giving an indication of the type of activity that has been carried out a few minutes before sampling.