ABSOLUTE PEAK OXYGEN CONSUMPTION IS INDEPENDENTLY CORRELATED WITH FAT-FREE MASS IN YOUTH SOCCER PLAYERS

Authors

CJ Metoyer
O Sinelnikov
MV Fedewa
MR Esco, FACSM

Abstract

Casey J. Metoyer, Oleg Sinelnikov, Michael V. Fedewa, Michael R. Esco, FACSM. The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the relationship between body mass (BM) and peak oxygen consumption (VO_2peak) is explained by fat-free mass (FFM) and not fat mass (FM). However, most of the research has occurred in children and adults with obesity, and hence, little is known about these relationships in youth athletes. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to determine the extent of variation in absolute VO_2peak that can be independently explained by BM, FM, and FFM in youth soccer players. METHODS: A sample of 20 young male soccer players (age = 13.7 ± 0.8 years, height = 167.0 ± 7.9 cm, weight = 56.2 ± 8.4 kg) participated in this study. Absolute VO_2peak was determined from a maximal graded exercise test on a treadmill. Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry was used to measure FM and FFM. Pearson correlation procedures were used to determine the relationships between absolute VO_2peak and the body composition metrics. Stepwise regression was used to determine which body composition metric (BM, FM, or FFM) explained the greatest variation in absolute VO_2peak. RESULTS: The average absolute VO_2peak, FM, and FFM was 3.1 ± 0.6 L/min, 11.1 ± 2.9 kg, and 46.0 ± 6.9 kg, respectively. Significant correlations were found between VO_2peak and BM (r = 0.88, p < 0.001), FM (r = 0.46, p = 0.02), and FFM (r = 0.90, p < 0.001). Stepwise regression showed that only FFM significantly explained the variance in absolute VO_2peak (R² = 0.81, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that FFM explains the relationship between BM and absolute VO_2peak in youth soccer players. FM does not display an independent relationship with VO_2peak. Therefore, fatness and absolute VO_2peak appear to be independent qualities in male youth soccer players. Further research is needed to verify these findings and clarify the relationship between body composition and oxygen consumption in youth athletes.

Recommended Citation

Metoyer, CJ; Sinelnikov, O; Fedewa, MV; and Esco, FACSM, MR (2022) "ABSOLUTE PEAK OXYGEN CONSUMPTION IS INDEPENDENTLY CORRELATED WITH FAT-FREE MASS IN YOUTH SOCCER PLAYERS," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 16: Iss. 1, Article 148.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol16/iss1/148