The validity of Running Anaerobic Sprint Test to assess anaerobic power in young soccer players

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that Running Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) is population specific. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the validity of RAST in assessing the anaerobic power of young soccer players. METHODS: Thirty-one volunteer young amateur soccer players underwent a standardized WAnT test and a RAST test in random order. Peak power (PP), average power (AP), minimum power (MP), fatigue index (FI), blood lactate (LA), heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were determined during the tests. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between RAST-PP and WAnT-PP. RAST-AP and RAST-FI were significantly lower than that of WAnT whereas, RAST-MP was significantly higher than WAnT-MP. RAST-LA(after) was significantly lower than WAnT-LA(after); however, mean and peak RAST-HR were significantly higher than WAnT. RPE responses were found to be similar between the tests. PP, AP and MP from the two tests were significantly correlated. The standard errors of the estimates values for PP, AP and MP were +/- 78.5 W, +/- 44.4 W and +/- 38.7 W, respectively. Peak and mean HRs from two tests were significantly correlated. No significant association was present between RAST-LA and RAST-RPE, and WAnT-LA and WAnT-RPE, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although recruiting different physiological and metabolic processes, RAST may be used in place of WAnT to assess the anaerobic characteristics of young soccer players.