Default and individual comparison of physiological responses and time-motion analysis in male and female soccer players during small-sided games

Purpose:To report the intensity distribution of Premier League soccer players’ external loads during match play, according to recognized physiological thresholds. The authors also present a case in which individualized speed thresholds changed the interpretation of time–motion data.Method:Eight outfield players performed an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion to determine the running speeds associated with their ventilatory thresholds. The running speeds were then used to individualize time–motion data collected in 5 competitive fixtures and compared with commonly applied arbitrary speed zones.Results:Of the total distance covered, 26%, 57%, and 17% were performed at low, moderate, and high intensity, respectively. Individualized time– motion data identified a 41% difference in the high-intensity distance covered between 2 players of the same positional role, whereas the player-independent approach yielded negligible (5–7%) differences in total and high-speed distances covered.Conclusions:The authors recommend that individualized speed thresholds be applied to time–motion-analysis data in synergy with the traditional arbitrary approach.

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Acute Physiological Responses and Time-Motion Characteristics of Two Small-Sided Training Regimes in Youth Soccer Players

The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research ◽

10.1519/jsc.0b013e31818efc1a ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 111-115 ◽

Cited By ~ 60

Author(s):

Stephen V Hill-Haas ◽

Greg J Rowsell ◽

Brian T Dawson ◽

Aaron J Coutts

Keyword(s):

Physiological Responses ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Time Motion ◽

Motion Characteristics

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Area per player in small-sided games to replicate the external load and estimated physiological match demands in elite soccer players

10.1101/2020.02.03.932954 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Andrea Riboli ◽

Giuseppe Coratella ◽

Susanna Rampichini ◽

Emiliano Cé ◽

Fabio Esposito

Keyword(s):

Motion Analysis ◽

Effect Size ◽

High Intensity ◽

External Load ◽

Specific Area ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Metabolic Power ◽

Total Distance ◽

Time Motion ◽

Small Side

AbstractThe current study determined the area-per-player during small- or large-sided games with or without goalkeeper that replicates the relative (m·min−1) total distance, high-intensity running distance, sprint distance and metabolic power covered during official matches. Time-motion analysis was performed on twenty-five élite soccer-players during 26 home-matches. A total of 2565 individual samples for SSGs using different pitch sizes and different number of players were collected and classified as SSGs with (SSG-G) or without goalkeeper (SSG-P). A between-position comparison was also performed. The area-per-player needed to replicate the official match demands was largely greater in SSG-G vs SSG-P for total distance [187±53 vs 115±35 m2, effect size (ES): 1.60 95%CI 0.94/2.21], high-intensity running distance [262±72 vs 166±39 m2, ES: 1.66(0.99/2.27)] and metabolic power [177±42 vs 94±40, ES: 1.99(1.31/2.67)], but similar for sprint distance [(316±75 vs 295±99 m2, ES: 0.24(−0.32/0.79)] with direction of larger area-per-player for sprint distance > high-intensity running > total distance ≅ metabolic power for both SSG-G and SSG-P. In SSG-G, forwards required greater area-per-player than central-defenders [ES: 2.96(1.07/4.35)], wide-midfielders [ES: 2.45(0.64/3.78)] and wide-defenders [ES: 3.45(1.13/4.99)]. Central-midfielders required greater area-per-player than central-defenders [ES: 1.69(0.20/2.90)] and wide-midfielders [ES: 1.35(−0.13/2.57)]. In SSG-P, central defenders need smaller area-per-player (ES: −6.01/−0.92) to overall replicate the match demands compared to all other positions. The current results highlight that soccer players need a specific area-per-player during the small-side games with or without goalkeeper to replicate the overall match demands, especially to perform high-intensity running or sprint distance. Additionally, central defenders, central midfielders and forwards need to be trained with tailored area-per-player or specific rules/additional exercises.

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