Abstract
Introduction: As a high-intensity intermittent sport, football has a high taxation on the aerobic as well as anaerobic energy system, and the ability to maintain sufficient glycogen levels for demanding high-speed running and sprinting seems important for performance towards the end of games. Recent studies have shown high peak fat oxidation rates (PFO) in elite and sub-elite male soccer players compared to other athletes. However, this has not yet been investigated for female football players.
Aim: The purpose of this study is to report peak fat oxidation (PFO) rates in sub-elite female football players and seasonal variation across the entirety of a spring season.
Methods: 47 female football players from two different clubs, Odense Q and B93, playing qualification for the best Danish Female Soccer League (Gjensidige Kvindeliga) were included. Players performed a graded exercise protocol on a treadmill to estimate PFO, the intensity at which PFO occurs (Fatmax) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) along with anthropometric measures in January (Jan), March (Mar) and June (Jun). Data of match performance were collected during the weeks following the laboratory tests (figure 1). Fat oxidation rates against % of VO2max were modeled as a third-degree polynomial regression to establish PFO and Fatmax. A one-way analysis of variance was conducted to compare the variables across the different time points. The significance level was set at p≤0.05, and post-hoc tests were performed in the case of significant differences.
Results: Anthropometrics of the included players can be found in table 1. Only percentage of body fat changed statically significant from Jan-Jun. No significant changes across the spring season were found on group level in any of the variables from Jan-Mar, Mar-Jun and Jan-Jun, but results revealed large individual variation (figure 2). Fatmax at baseline was 49.5±5.8 % of maximal oxygen uptake (mean±SD]), PFO was 0.47±0.16 g·min-1, PFO relative to fat free mass (FFM) (RelPFO) was 10.37±3.39 mg·kg FFM-1·min-1, and VO2peak was 2957±311 mL·min-1.
Conclusion: The present study reports fat oxidation rates in sub-elite female soccer players of 0.47±0.16 g·min-1, occurring at a mean intensity of 49.5±5.8% of VO2max. The study finds large individual variations in fat oxidation rates ranging from 0.14-0.81 g·min-1 with no significant changes across the spring season.
Aim: The purpose of this study is to report peak fat oxidation (PFO) rates in sub-elite female football players and seasonal variation across the entirety of a spring season.
Methods: 47 female football players from two different clubs, Odense Q and B93, playing qualification for the best Danish Female Soccer League (Gjensidige Kvindeliga) were included. Players performed a graded exercise protocol on a treadmill to estimate PFO, the intensity at which PFO occurs (Fatmax) and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) along with anthropometric measures in January (Jan), March (Mar) and June (Jun). Data of match performance were collected during the weeks following the laboratory tests (figure 1). Fat oxidation rates against % of VO2max were modeled as a third-degree polynomial regression to establish PFO and Fatmax. A one-way analysis of variance was conducted to compare the variables across the different time points. The significance level was set at p≤0.05, and post-hoc tests were performed in the case of significant differences.
Results: Anthropometrics of the included players can be found in table 1. Only percentage of body fat changed statically significant from Jan-Jun. No significant changes across the spring season were found on group level in any of the variables from Jan-Mar, Mar-Jun and Jan-Jun, but results revealed large individual variation (figure 2). Fatmax at baseline was 49.5±5.8 % of maximal oxygen uptake (mean±SD]), PFO was 0.47±0.16 g·min-1, PFO relative to fat free mass (FFM) (RelPFO) was 10.37±3.39 mg·kg FFM-1·min-1, and VO2peak was 2957±311 mL·min-1.
Conclusion: The present study reports fat oxidation rates in sub-elite female soccer players of 0.47±0.16 g·min-1, occurring at a mean intensity of 49.5±5.8% of VO2max. The study finds large individual variations in fat oxidation rates ranging from 0.14-0.81 g·min-1 with no significant changes across the spring season.
| Original language | Danish |
|---|---|
| Publication date | 4. Jan 2025 |
| Publication status | Published - 4. Jan 2025 |
| Event | 4th Danish Football Performance Summit - University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark Duration: 4. Jan 2025 → 4. Jan 2025 |
Conference
| Conference | 4th Danish Football Performance Summit |
|---|---|
| Location | University of Southern Denmark |
| Country/Territory | Denmark |
| City | Odense |
| Period | 04/01/2025 → 04/01/2025 |