Evaluation of blood lactate levels in professional soccer players during matches – “2007 Mato Grosso State Championship”

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the blood lactate behavior in professional soccer players in order to measure the demand of lactic anaerobic metabolism during a soccer match, useful for training prescription. The tests were carried out during matches of the 2007 Mato Grosso State Championship. 13 athletes who belong to “UNIÃO ESPORTE CLUBE”, in the city of Rondonópolis – MT, with an age average of 25 ± 4.14, weight 71.78 ± 8.93 and height 175 ± 0.07 cm participated in the present stud. A portable lactate analyzer (Accutrend® Lactato) was used. Results demonstrated an average of 4.63 ± 0.91 mmol/l after the first half-time and 3.68 ± 0.57 mmol/l at the end of the game in all athletes. When separated by positions, only wingers and midfielders presented values above 4 mmol/l (6.0 ± 2.2 mmol/l and 4.33 ± 1.25 mmol/l for wingers and 4.33 ± 1.85 mmol/l and 4.01 ± 1.81 mmol/l for midfielders). Defenders and forwards presented values of 4.1 ± 0.65 mmol/l and 3.15 ± 0.68 mmol/l; 4.1 and 3.24 ± 0.55 mmol/l respectively. The fact of a team try to incessantly obtain score equality, the need of winning a game or being in advantage related to scores, can contribute to the metabolic predominance of a match. The physical weariness during the first half-time, the performance reduction and depletion of some nutrients during a match can explain the decrease of lactate concentration from the first to the second half-time.