OBJECTIVES: The characteristics of sporting activity play a pivotal role in influencing the shift between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism, thereby impacting the overall physical performance of athletes. The primary objective of our study was to scrutinize the cardiorespiratory attributes of Hungarian football and handball players.

METHODS: In our case-control study we measured the men's handball players (n=19) and man's football players (n=21) cardiorespiratory features in a performance diagnostic laboratory in 2020: respiratory exchange ratio (RER), maximum heart rate (HRmax), maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), Load (Watt). Cardiorespiratory parameters were recorded with Jaeger Masterscreen CPX spirometer. During the statistical data processing, we used a descriptive and inference statistical methods (indipendent sample T-test) using IBM SPSS 28.0 software, the level of significance was set at p<0.05.

RESULTS: The mean body weight, height and age of the team PMFC (second class) men’s football team were lower (76.45±8.98 kg; 181.95± 6.92cm; 23.80±3.56 year) than the PEAC (first class) men’s handball players mean height and age (86.16±13.94 kg; 187.74±4.79 cm; 24.11±5.05 year). Football players achieved higher values for RER, VO2max, exercise duration and HR max but based on the paired sample t-test weren't significantly differences in the cardiorespiratory parameters (p<0.05): RER (X_PMFC=1.24; X_PEAC=1.21; p=0,326); VO2max (ml/kg/min) (X_PMFC=49.49; X_PEAC=47.18; p=0.170), Tredmill test (X_PMFC=567.00 sec; X_PEAC=553.32 sec; p=0.459), Watt (X_PMFC=427.24; X_PEAC=458.37; p=0.107) and max HR (BPM) (X_PMFC=181.67; X_PEAC=174.31; p=0.600).

CONCLUSIONS: Given their higher body weight value, the handball players were able to deliver greater power (Watt) than the footballers, as body weight has got a significant influence in delivering power (Watt). Probably due to the attributes of sports, sportsmen have spent more time on treadmill and reached higher VO₂ max value. Handball against football would claim the higher anaerobic threshold, while football would higher VO₂ max value.