ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Competitive athletes must undergo fitness testing to monitor athlete progress and to create appropriate, progressive training programs. However, fitness testing adds to training stress; therefore, impacts of testing on wellness and recovery must be considered in test selection. This study investigated the effects of two incremental field tests [VAMEVAL test (T-VAM) and 20-m maximum shuttle test (20-m MST)] on wellness, total quality of recovery (TQR) and physical enjoyment (PE) in competitive soccer players. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two soccer players (20.9±1.5 years) completed two T-VAM and two 20-m MST in a randomized order on separate days with a 1-week interval between tests. TQR and wellness indices (sleep, fatigue, stress and muscle soreness) measures were collected before and 24 hours after each test. Heart rate (HR) was continuously monitored during each test. Rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and PE were assessed after each test. RESULTS: T-VAM resulted in higher PE, TQR and wellness scores than 20-m MST (p<0.05). T-VAM and 20-m MST resulted in similar HR and maximal aerobic speed. For T-VAM, TQR was correlated (p<0.01) with RPE and wellness indices. For 20-m MST, TQR was correlated (p<0.01) with wellness indices. HRmax and RPE were not correlated with wellness indices, TQR or PE. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, T-VAM and 20-m MST produced similar aerobic fitness testing results, but athletes responded more favorably to T-VAM. Coaches can use T-VAM for evaluating aerobic fitness while maximizing well-being and physical enjoyment among soccer players.