A comparative study of the aerobic power of team and individual game players

This study is a comparative analysis of aerobic capacity in team sport players versus individual sport athletes using indirect measurements.A total of 28 players from team sports (football or basketball) in Erbil's government clubs were selected. These players, aged 18 to 24 years, had been competing at the club level for over three years. Additionally, 31 athletes from individual sports (tennis, fencing, long-distance running, and taekwondo) were selected. These athletes were aged 18 to 22 years and had participated in local championships.The (VO2 max) values were determined using indirect measurement methods over three different days. On the first day, the Harvard Step Test, the Sharkey Step Test, the Queens College Step Test, and the YMCA Step Test were conducted. On the second day, the YoYo intermittent test was performed, while on the third day, multi-stage fitness tests were carried out. Various equations were used to determine the (VO2 max) values.The results of this study revealed statistically significant differences in the means and standard deviations between team sport players and individual sport athletes. The results of the Harvard Step Test were (48.4214, 5.72987) and (49.2484 6.26104) for team sport players and individual sport athletes, respectively. The Sharkey Step Test results were (50.0286, 5.82166) and (51.6323, 7.50202), while the Queens College Step Test results were (49.7143, 5.95860) and (49.7677, 5.82508). The YMCA Step Test results were (49.8071, 5.12069) and (50.7774, 5.75411).Meanwhile, the Yo-yo test results were (46.3071, 6.09365) and (43.2274, 3.75657), and finally, the MSFT test results were (46.7179, 5.80320) and (42.9516, 3.37934) for team sport players and individual sport athletes, respectively.The findings indicate that the (VO2 max) values are higher in team sport players compared to individual sport athletes. This is because team sport players require greater aerobic capacity levels to sustain their performance.