Comparative Analysis of Aerobic Capacity (Vo2max) Between University-Level Judo and Football Players

Abstract

Aerobic capacity, measured by VO₂max, is a key indicator of cardiovascular efficiency and endurance, essential for athletic performance. Football primarily involves sustained aerobic activity, whereas judo combines aerobic demands with high-intensity anaerobic bursts. This study aimed to compare VO₂ max levels between university-level football and judo players, highlighting differences in cardiovascular endurance across these sports. A total of 60 male athletes (football = 30; judo = 30) from the University of Delhi participated in the study. All participants were aged between 18 to 24 years and had participated at the inter-university level. VO₂ max was estimated using the Cooper 12-Minute Run Test. Descriptive statistics and a t-test were conducted to compare the groups. The analysis revealed that football players exhibited significantly higher VO₂max values compared to judo players (p < 0.05). This finding aligns with the distinct physiological requirements of the sports: football demands prolonged aerobic activity, while judo emphasizes intermittent anaerobic effort with recovery phases predominated by muscular endurance. This study highlights significant differences in VO₂max between football and judo players, with football players demonstrating superior aerobic capacity. The findings emphasize the importance of sport-specific demands in evaluating cardiovascular endurance and offer insights for optimizing training programs for different athletic disciplines.