[Changes of physical and functional characteristics in soccer players].

Unlabelled: The purpose of this study was to examine the trends in selected physical cardiovascular and metabolic variables in 248 first division professional soccer players within a period of 27 years (1973-2000).

Method: In a cross sectional study (panel) 198 Mexican players and 50 mainly from Brazil and Argentina were evaluated for physical examination, body composition, blood samples, EKG and maximal oxygen uptake on a treadmill. Data were categorized by decade (70's n = 66, 80's n = 84 and 90's n = 98) and analyzed for significant differences by ANOVAS (p < 0.