Author(s): TAN, H., ZHANG, S.Y., HUANG, Z.Y., ZHOU, H.C., LIU, Y.K., ZHOU, H.R., ZHOU, H., LI, C.Y., SHI, S.S., CAI, X.D., Institution: NANJING NORMAL UNIVERSITY, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 1786

INTRODUCTION:
Football requires athletes to cover extended running distances and execute multiple consecutive sprints.[1]Key physical fitness indicators of football players, such as maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max), agility and repeated sprint ability, have long been research hotspots in this field.[2,3]This study aims to explore in depth the correlations among key physical fitness characteristics as well as their correlations with match running performance.
METHODS:
A total of 20 elite male football players from Nanjing Normal University (Age: 21.5±1.8 years; Height: 178.4±2.9 cm; Body Weight: 70.2±5.2 kg) were selected as the research subjects. The players were divided into three positions: forwards, midfielders and defenders. The K-sport system (K-AI, K-Sport Company, Italy) was adopted to collect the running performance data of the team in three matches during the season. The collected indicators included total running distance, high-speed running distance (>16.2 km/h), low-speed running distance, sprint times and sprint distance (>27 km/h). The physical fitness index tests covered maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), agility tests include the T-test, Illinois Agility Test, 505 Agility Test and Arrow Run Test , 6×30 m repeated sprint test, body fat test and other multiple indicators.
RESULTS:
The average total running distance of elite male football players from Nanjing Normal University in matches was 6358.2±1310.2 m, with the high-speed running distance (HSR (m) (>16.2 km/h)) of 645.2±263.4 m, low-speed running distance of 5712.9±1110.4 m, sprint distance (m) (>27 km/h) of 175.8±71.5 m and sprint times of 19.2±8.2 times. In the physical fitness index tests, the average maximal oxygen uptake of the players was 58.7±4.1 ml/kg·min. In the agility tests, the average score of the Illinois Agility Test was 15.9±0.5 s, the T-test 10.1±0.6 s, the 505 Agility Test 2.3±0.2 s and the Arrow Run Test 8.2±0.4 s. The average time of the 6×30 m repeated sprint test was 4.3±0.2 s, the decline rate of the 6×30 m repeated sprint test was 4.1±2%, and the average body fat rate was 12.3%±4.4%. VO₂max final velocity was positively correlated with match running performance and negatively correlated with 6×30 m repeated sprint performance. High‑speed running distance was negatively correlated with Illinois Agility Test. The 6×30 m test performance was positively correlated with agility indicators. Significant differences in body morphology existed among positions.
CONCLUSION:
The final velocity of maximal oxygen uptake was found to have a significant correlation with match running performance, indicating that it is a key factor influencing athletes' match running performance.The final velocity of athletes' maximal oxygen uptake can be improved through 6×30 m training drills in daily training. The testing results highlights the importance of adopting repeated sprint training such as the 6×30 m drill in daily training practice.

1.Asimakidis (2025) 2. Bujnovsky et al. (2019) 3. Rampinini et al. (2007)