Background:
The physical activity of 29 football players using either aerobic or anaerobic energy regimes was tested during official games and in the laboratory.

Material and methods:
Under conditions of gradually increasing power on a treadmill, maximal running speed (V, km/h), oxygen consumption (VO2, mL/min/kg), heart rate (HR, beats/min), and anaerobic metabolism threshold (AT mL/min/kg) were determined, and blood lactate (BLact, mmol/L) was measured.

Results:
The correlation between the total length of distance run during the game and treadmill running speed for the outcome measures were as follows: anaerobic metabolism threshold, r=0.54 (p=0.032), BLact, r=0.37 (p=0.034), VO2max, r=0.41 (p=0.027), and HR, r=0.36 (p=0.047). We found aerobic mechanisms were dominant in ensuring the game activity of football players. Specifically, aerobic mechanisms contribute roughly 32.4-43.8% to playing activity, while aerobic-anaerobic energy supply mechanisms provide for only 17%. Lactic and alactic mechanisms provide for 5.6% and 1.6%, respectively.

Conclusions:
The results provide valuable information on the relationship between football play activity and aerobic and anaerobic energy supply mechanisms. Enhancing the functionality of the anaerobic lactic-alactic energy system can lead to growth and improvements in physical performance in football players.