The association between aerobic capacity and spinal curvature and mobility in young soccer players

Background

There is a lot of research in terms of injuries and performance in football and nowadays aerobic capacity, spinal posture and mobility have been taken into consideration separately in terms of performance. Considering from a biomechanical perspective, we thought spinal curvature and mobility may affect aerobic performance and investigated the relationship between them.

Research question

Do young soccer players' segmental spinal curvature and mobility affect their aerobic capacity and maximal exercise performance?

Methods

Thirty-four young league players (mean age 16.56 ±1.11 years) were evaluated pre-season. Spinal assessments in the sagittal plane with a non-invasive, computer-assisted electromechanical device and aerobic capacity assessment with a cardiopulmonary exercise-testing device were applied. The relationship between spinal postural variables with aerobic capacity was done by Pearson correlation analysis, and simple linear regression analysis was used to estimate the effect of spinal curvature and mobility on aerobic performance.

Results

Various parameters of aerobic performance were related to spinal curvature and mobility. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and maximal heart rate (HRmax) were negatively correlated with thoracic angle (r=-0.343, p=0.047 and r=-0.344, p=0.046; respectively). Thoracic angle was also associated with tidal volume (VT) and VO2/HR (r=-0.347, p=0.044 and r=-0.348, p=0.044; respectively). Higher thoracic mobility caused to reach the anaerobic threshold (VAT) earlier (r=-0.368, p=0.032), at a lower speed (r=-0.367, p=0.033). In other segments, lumbar mobility was negatively correlated with VT at VAT (r=-0.346; p=0.045), while spinal inclination with HR at VAT (r=-0.387, p=0.024).

Significance

Although it is within physiological ranges, increased spinal curvature and mobility are associated with a decrease in aerobic capacity in young soccer players. Spinal curvature and mobility especially in the thoracic region may affect the aerobic performance of a soccer player. The trainers should consider spinal alignment for not only the technical and tactical but also the general performance of the soccer player.