Analysis of Physical Demands During Youth Soccer Match-Play: Considerations of Sampling Method and Epoch Length

Existing procedures for the simulation of soccer match play fail to incorporate multidirectional and repeated-sprint activities, even though these movements are considered fundamental to match play. In the current study, selected physiological and performance responses were assessed during an adapted version of an existing soccer simulation protocol. Mean heart rates of 163 ± 14 beats·min–1, mean blood lactates of 4.9 ± 2.3 mmol·L-1 and decrements in single-sprint and repeated-sprint performances were observed. The presented adaptations to an existing soccer simulation protocol better reflect the movement characteristics as well as the physiological and performance responses of soccer match play.

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Differences in worst-case scenarios calculated by fixed length and rolling average methods in professional soccer match-play

Biology of Sport ◽

10.5114/biolsport.2021.99706 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

José M. Oliva-Lozano ◽

Isabel Martín-Fuentes ◽

Víctor Fortes ◽

José M. Muyor

Keyword(s):

Worst Case ◽

Match Play ◽

Soccer Match ◽

Fixed Length ◽

Professional Soccer

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Training duration may not be a predisposing factor in potential maladaptations in talent development programmes that promote early specialisation in elite youth soccer

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/1747954117752127 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

pp. 674-678 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Thomas E Brownlee ◽

Andy O’Boyle ◽

Ryland Morgans ◽

James P Morton ◽

Robert M Erskine ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Resistance Training ◽

Body Mass ◽

Age Groups ◽

Talent Development ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Predisposing Factor ◽

Match Play ◽

Training Time ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Soccer Training

Purpose To determine whether training duration is a predisposing factor in potential maladaptations in talent development programmes that promote early specialisation in elite youth soccer. Methods Training times and type of 184 elite soccer players, from the under-9 to under-21 age groups (age 9.4 to 18.4 yrs; stature 1.38 to 1.82 m; body mass 32.2 to 76.2 kg) were recorded. Results Total training time progressively increased between the under-9 (268 ± 25 min/week) and under-14 (477 ± 19 min/week) groups with the majority of training time (96.5 ± 3.9%) consisting of soccer training and matches. Total training time then subsequently reduced from under-14 to under-15 (266 ± 77 min/week) groups, with no differences in training time between under-15 and under-21. Only under-15 to under-21 players completed resistance training; this inclusion coincided with a reduction in soccer training and match play when compared to time spent in these activities for younger groups (73.8 ± 3.2% of total training). Conclusion Data suggest that although the majority of training is focused on technical development, the training duration as a whole is unlikely to contribute to potential maladaptations in talent development programmes in elite youth soccer.

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Activity Profiles by Position in Youth Elite Soccer Players in Official Matches

Sports Medicine International Open ◽

10.1055/a-0883-5540 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 03 (01) ◽

pp. E19-E24 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Svein Arne Pettersen ◽

Tormod Brenn

Keyword(s):

High Intensity ◽

External Load ◽

Training Programs ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Maximum Speed ◽

Peak Period ◽

Significant Drop ◽

Match Play ◽

Youth Soccer

AbstractIn order to investigate activity profiles and external load patterns in elite youth soccer players, we studied high-intensity activity patterns, maximum running speed, and temporary and end-of-match decline in external load in 54 U17 players (96 match observations) over a full season of official match play.Wide midfielders covered most high-intensity running (HIR) distance (1044.2 m), most sprinting distance (224.4 m), and the highest number of accelerations (185.2); center defenders had the lowest values for these activities (508.3 m, 85.1 m, and 119.0), respectively. Wide midfielders had the highest and center defenders had the lowest maximum speed (30.3 km · h − 1 and 28.6 km · h − 1), respectively. During the matches, players in all playing positions displayed a significant drop in HIR distance, sprinting distance, and number of accelerations. This was especially pronounced in the 5 min following the 5-min peak period and in the last 5-min period for sprinting distance.There are substantial differences in activity profiles by positions, but all players show temporary and end-of-match drop in external load. The variation in activity profiles by playing position in this study may aid in the design of training programs. The considerable end-of-match drop in external load observed raises the question of the favorability of 90 min match times for U17 players.

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Impact of contextual variables on the representative external load profile of Spanish professional soccer match-play: A full season study

European Journal of Sport Science ◽

10.1080/17461391.2020.1751305 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

José M. Oliva-Lozano ◽

Daniel Rojas-Valverde ◽

Carlos D. Gómez-Carmona ◽

Víctor Fortes ◽

José Pino-Ortega

Keyword(s):

External Load ◽

Contextual Variables ◽

Match Play ◽

Load Profile ◽

Soccer Match ◽

Professional Soccer

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Effect of Playing Position, Match Half, and Match Day on the Trunk Inclination, G-Forces, and Locomotor Efficiency Experienced by Elite Soccer Players in Match Play

Sensors ◽

10.3390/s20205814 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (20) ◽

pp. 5814 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

José M. Oliva-Lozano ◽

Elisa F. Maraver ◽

Víctor Fortes ◽

José M. Muyor

Keyword(s):

Rapid Growth ◽

Wearable Sensors ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Specific Training ◽

Contextual Variables ◽

Successful Performance ◽

Match Play ◽

Physical Demands ◽

Trunk Inclination ◽

Trunk Kinematics

The rapid growth of wearable sensors has allowed the analysis of trunk kinematics during the match, which is necessary for having a better understanding of the postural demands of soccer players. However, some contextual variables may have an impact on the physical demands of the players. This study aimed to analyze the effect of three contextual variables (playing position, match half, and match day) on the sagittal trunk inclination, G-forces, and locomotor efficiency experienced by soccer players in match play. Then, wearable sensors were used to collect the trunk kinematics during 13 matches. Firstly, positional differences were found on the trunk inclination (p = 0.01) and the G-forces experienced by the players (p < 0.001). For example, the greatest and lowest trunk inclination was found for FW (~34.01°) and FB (~28.85°) while the greatest and lowest G-forces were found for WMF (1.16 G) and CD (1.12 G), respectively. However, there were no positional differences in the locomotor efficiency (p = 0.10). Secondly, the match half had a significant effect on the trunk inclination (p = 0.01) and the G-forces experienced by the players (p < 0.001) with significantly lower values observed during the second half. No differences between halves were found on the locomotor efficiency for any playing position (p = 0.41). Finally, no significant effect of match day on any variable was observed. This investigation is one of the first steps towards enhancing the understanding of trunk kinematics from elite soccer players. The positional differences found on the trunk inclination and G-forces imply that the development of position-specific training drills considering the postural demands is necessary to prepare the players not only for the physical demands but also for successful performance in the field of regard. The resistance to fatigue needs to be trained given the differences between halves.

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