Running Momentum as a Potential Complement to Aerobic Speed in Evaluating Performance in Male Football Players

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between commonly observed performance variables in football and aerobic-based test outcomes, with a particular focus on the role of running momentum as a complementary measure. Materials and Methods: Sixteen elite youth male football players (age:17.88 ± 0.61 years) were assessed for acceleration, agility, lower limb one-repetition maximum (1-RM) strength, and estimated VO 2 max. Correlation and regression analyses examined the relationships between final running velocity, running momentum, and key performance indicators. Results: Final running velocity correlated positively with acceleration ( r = 0.55, p < 0.05) and VO 2 max ( r = 0.78, p < 0.001), and negatively with agility time ( r = -0.67, p < 0.05), while no significant association was found with leg press strength ( r = 0.43, p > 0.05). In contrast, running momentum displayed large positive correlations with acceleration ( r = 0.70, p < 0.01) and leg press strength ( r = 0.78, p < 0.01), and a strong negative correlation with agility time ( r = -0.78, p < 0.01). Regression analyses showed that VO 2 max was the strongest outcome explained by running velocity, accounting for 60% of its variance, while momentum explained 28%. Furthermore, velocity accounted for 19-44% of the variance in acceleration, agility, and strength outcomes, whereas momentum explained 52-61%. Conclusions: Running momentum demonstrated stronger associations with agility, leg press strength, and acceleration, while final running velocity was more closely related to VO 2 max. These findings suggest that running momentum serves as a complementary and strength-oriented indicator to aerobic speed in evaluating the neuromuscular and mechanical performance of youth football players.