Strength for Soccer: Muscular Strength & the Aerobic Ceiling, Part 2
June 11, 2025
MAS, not raw VO₂ max, is the game-changer. Heavy lifts and explosive plyometrics raise sustained running ability by 15-20%, even when VO₂ max stays flat. Strength rarely pushes VO₂ max more than a couple of percentage points, yet it consistently trims the oxygen cost of every stride. More meters per breath.