J Strength Cond Res. 2026 May 13. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005531. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Carminatti, LJ, de Souza, PV, Cetolin, T, Mohr, PA, Netto, AS, Ortiz, JG, da Silva, JF, and Teixeira, AS. A cross-sectional analysis of Carminatti’s test versions: Age- and position-specific variations and normative reference values in male soccer players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-The primary aims were: (a) to compare the peak speed (PST-CAR) and peak heart rate (HRpeak) between the 2 Carminatti’s test (T-CAR) protocols, and (b) to compare T-CAR performance across age groups and playing positions. Part I used a randomized crossover design where 26 elite U-20 players completed the original T-CAR (starting at 9 km·h-1) and a modified, shorter version (starting at 12 km·h-1) to assess their interchangeability. Part II involved a cross-sectional analysis of a large data set (n = 3,161) to establish normative values and assess T-CAR performance from Under-11 to professional levels. Statistical significance was set at 5%. Part I revealed no significant differences in PST-CAR or HRpeak between the 2 T-CAR versions, with a nearly perfect correlation for PST-CAR (r = 0.93) and a very large correlation for HRpeak (r = 0.89). The intraclass correlation coefficient results indicated excellent consistency, with values of 0.96 (95% CI = 0.92 to 0.98) and 0.94 (95% CI = 0.87 to 0.97) for PST-CAR and HRpeak, respectively. Part II demonstrated that T-CAR performance improved with age, with the most substantial gains occurring between the U-13 and U-15 age groups. Furthermore, position-specific differences emerged from the U-15 level onward, with wide defenders and midfielders generally outperforming central defenders. In conclusion, the modified T-CAR is a valid and time-efficient alternative to the original protocol for assessing intermittent endurance performance in highly trained soccer players. The normative data established in this study provide valuable benchmarks for practitioners to monitor long-term athletic development according to age and playing position.
PMID:42127380 | DOI:10.1519/JSC.0000000000005531
