Physiological Profile and Correlations between VO2max and Match Distance Running Performance of Soccer Players with Visual Impairment

Aerobic capacity is crucial for the performance of soccer players; however, the relationship between VO2max and the running performance of soccer players with visual impairment is not known. Possibly finding relationships would help in the training process, as training would be more targeted. Additionally, both bodyweight and relative VO2max are factors that affect people's health and wellness. From the literature, it appears that there are no studies that present the normal profile of soccer players with visual impairment. The aims of this study were to (a) determine the differences in VO2max between soccer players and sedentary men with visual impairment; (b) to assess the relationship between the VO2max of players with visual impairment and the distance covered in a soccer match and (c) to describe a profile of physiological parameters and distance running during a soccer match. Six male soccer players with VI and six male sedentary people with VI participated in this study. Anthropometric characteristics (age, height, bodyweight, body fat (BF), body mass index (BMI), cardiorespiratory markers (VO2max, maximum heart rate (HRmax), respiratory exchange ratio (RER)) and the running performance of soccer players during matches were measured, and the VO2max of all the participants was measured in a laboratory. Mann-Whitney U test was used to evaluate differences between sedentary and soccer players' anthropometric characteristics and performance. A correlation analysis by Spearman's' method was used to examine relationships between VO2max and the rest of the physical values during the match. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The soccer players' weight was 33% lower, and their BMI was 23% lower than that of sedentary men (p = 0.023, eta(2) = 0.457 and p = 0.048, eta(2) = 0.394, respectively). The relative body mass VO2max of the athletes was 42.9% higher in comparison with sedentary men with VI (p = 0.002, eta 2 = 0.755). No correlations were found between VO2max and match running performance (p = 0.957, r = -0.029) or other parameters during the match in soccer players with VI. In conclusion, relative VO2max is not related to the match running performance of soccer players. The tactics applied by the team, the style of play and the position of the player may affect the distances covered. Also, as expected, the soccer players showed lower bodyweight and higher relative VO2max. However, this is the first study to observe the level of these differences.