Peak fat oxidation, peak oxygen uptake, and running performance increase during pre-season in sub-elite male football players

Tue Rømer*, Mikkel Thunestvedt Hansen, Kristine Kjær Lange, Mikkel Lundgren Petersen, Anders Petersen Ibh, Jeppe Panduro, Peter Krustrup, Flemming Dela, Jørn Wulff Helge

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: In Football, the high-intensity running bouts during matches are considered decisive. Interestingly, recent studies showed that peak fat oxidation rates (PFO) are higher in football players than other athletes. This study aimed to investigate whether PFO increases following a pre-season. Secondarily, and due to COVID-19, we investigated whether PFO is related to the physical performance in a subgroup of semi-professional male football players. Methods: Before and after 8 weeks of pre-season training, 42 sub-elite male football players (18 semi-professionals and 24 non-professionals) had a dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry scan and performed a graded exercise test on a treadmill for the determination of PFO, the exercise intensity eliciting PFO (Fatmax) and peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak). Additionally, the semi-professional players performed a Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 2 (YYIR2) before and after pre-season training to determine football-specific running performance. Results: PFO increased by 11 ± 10% (mean ± 95% CI), p = 0.031, and V̇O2peak increased by 5 ± 1%, p < 0.001, whereas Fatmax was unchanged (+12 ± 9%, p = 0.057), following pre-season training. PFO increments were not associated with increments in V̇O2peak (Pearson's r2 = 0.00, p = 0.948) or fat-free mass (FFM) (r2 = 0.00, p = 0.969). Concomitantly, YYIR2 performance increased in the semi-professional players by 39 ± 17%, p < 0.001, which was associated with changes in V̇O2peak (r2 = 0.35, p = 0.034) but not PFO (r2 = 0.13, p = 0.244). Conclusions: PFO, V̇O2peak, and FFM increased following pre-season training in sub-elite football players. However, in a subgroup of semi-professional players, increments in PFO were not associated with improvements in YYIR2 performance nor with increments in V̇O2peak and FFM.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere14617
JournalScandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports
Volume34
Issue number4
Number of pages11
ISSN0905-7188
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Keywords

  • exercise physiology
  • fat oxidation
  • treadmill running
  • Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test

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