The anaerobic speed reserve of high-level soccer players: a comparison based on the running speed profile among and within playing positions

Abstract

Purpose. the aim of the study was to examine the differences of the anaerobic speed reserve (ASr) in soccer players according to the playing positions (defenders, midfielders, and forwards). Methods. Overall, 120 elite-level national Brazilian soccer players (46 defenders, 45 midfielders, and 29 forwards) performed a field incremental test to estimate maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and a 30-m sprint to determine maximal sprinting speed (MSS). the difference between MAS and MSS was used to estimate ASr. Players were classified by position and by MAS and MSS performance. For each playing position, they were ranked and divided into higher and lower MSS (MSS-H and MSS-L, respectively) and MAS (MAS-H and MAS-L, respectively) groups. the players' ASr was compared among these groups.