Soccer, which draws crowds and moves huge sums of money, has not been dissociated from science, being frequently approached in studies conducted by the academy or upon request of technical teams, aimed at optimizing the sports outcomes. A training plan is used to prepare for the soccer competition and comprises purely physical, psychological, technical (p. ex.: pass, dribble, feint, leaps) and tactical components. In the preseason and during the competitive season, coaches measure and monitor different variables of the training. […]

Abstract Background: Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and ventilatory threshold (VT) obtained during a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPX) are used in the evaluation of athletes. However, the identification of these variables may sometimes be unreliable, which limits their use. In contrast, the cardiorespiratory optimal point (COP) is a submaximal variable derived from CPX with objective measurement and prognostic significance. However, its behavior in athletes is unknown. Objective: To describe the behavior of COP in professional soccer players and its association with […]