Normative data for maximal aerobic speed for field sport athletes: A brief review
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning
Publisher
Australian Strength and Conditioning Association (ASCA)
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
20670
Abstract
Many team field sports require the athletes to cover distances of 4 up to 14 km in a game, dictating that the aerobic energy system must provide the major energy contribution. Furthermore, the somewhat intermittent nature of these sports, with athlete’s required to repeatedly accelerate, decelerate and change direction, would mean that the aerobic energy system plays a role in facilitating recovery from these actions. Accordingly, the literature overwhelmingly indicates that aerobic fitness is critical for success in team field sports. Typically the measure of Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS) has been the aerobic variable that most overwhelmingly has been shown to differentiate between athletes participating at different levels of a sport. The purpose of this short review was to provide some normative aerobic fitness data (MAS scores) for field sport athletes in a) different sports b) different levels of participation c) different ages and d) genders. Practicing strength & conditioning coaches could use this data to benchmark where their athletes are in comparison in relation to sport, age, level of participation and gender and then to consider the direction and content of their energy system training programs.
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Comments
Baker, D. & Heaney, N. (2015). Practical examples of the implementation of high-intensity aerobic energy system conditioning methods for field sports. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 23(7), 60-67. Available here