scholarly journals Training habits in professional soccer players during COVID-19 confinement

Kinesiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 288-295
Author(s):  
Marcos Chena ◽  
Luis Gutiérrez-García ◽  
Juan Carlos Zapardiel ◽  
Iván Asín-Izquierdo

The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has led to an unprecedented situation, forcing governments to take urgent measures and confine the population. These measures have also affected sports. Soccer competitions and training sessions were interrupted worldwide, causing the need to adapt training sessions to the new situation. The objective of this study is to observe and analyse training habits carried out during the COVID-19 confinement by Spanish professional soccer players of both sexes. An o bservational study was based on an ad-hoc telematic questionnaire during the COVID-19 state of alarm in Spain. The results showed that strength and conditioning training was of great importance in the training habits developed during the COVID-19 confinement, fundamentally that of strength and endurance capacities. Specificity was low as conditional capabilities were affected by contextual limitations. The findings of this study yielded very useful information related to the training habits of professional soccer players of both sexes and offered an unpublished reference database that could be used to address training planning at specific periods of the year (transition, vacations, emergencies, ...), with the aim of resuming competitive activity in the best conditions.

Author(s):  
Miguel Lorenzo-Martínez ◽  
Francisco J. Corredoira ◽  
Carlos Lago-Peñas ◽  
Roberto López-Del Campo ◽  
Fabio Nevado-Garrosa ◽  
...  

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the effects of chronological age on acceleration and deceleration match performance in professional soccer players. A total of 5317 individual match observations were collected on 420 professional players competing in the Spanish LaLiga during the 2018–2019 season, using a multiple-camera computerised tracking system (TRACAB; ChyronHego, Melville, NY, USA). Players were classified using a k-means cluster analysis into four different age groups: 17–23 years, 24–27 years, 28–30 years, and 31–38 years. Linear mixed models were adjusted to compare the players’ match performance according to their age group and playing position (central defenders, external defenders, central midfielders, external midfielders, and forwards). The results showed that players aged between 31–38 years performed a significantly less total number of accelerations (ES=0.30–0.48) and decelerations (ES=0.29–0.49) in comparison with younger players. These age-related physical performance declines were more pronounced among central defenders, central midfielders, and forwards. However, no significant effects were obtained for players’ maximum acceleration and deceleration capacities. The current findings provide useful information for coaches and strength and conditioning specialists to better understand the effects of age on players’ physical performance and to develop age-tailored training programs.


Author(s):  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Rui Silva ◽  
Daniel Castillo ◽  
Asier Los Arcos ◽  
Bruno Mendes ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to analyze the variations of acute load, training monotony, and training strain among early (pre-season), mid (first half of season), and end season (second half of season) periods; (2) to compare these training indicators for playing positions in different moments of the season. Nineteen professional players (age: 26.5 ± 4.3 years; experience as professional: 7.5 ± 4.3 years) from a European First League team participated in this study. The players were monitored daily over a 45-week period for the total distance (TD), distance covered (DC) at 14 km/h−1 or above (DC > 14 km/h), high-speed running above 19.8 km/h−1 (HSR) distance, and number of sprints above 25.2 km/h−1. The acute load (sum of load during a week), training monotony (mean of training load during the seven days of the week divided by the standard deviation of the training load of the seven days), and training strain (sum of the training load for all training sessions and matches during a week multiplied by training monotony) workload indices were calculated weekly for each measure and per player. Results revealed that training monotony and training strain for HSR were meaningfully greater in pre-season than in the first half of the in-season (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.883 and p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.712, respectively) and greater than the second half of the in-season (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.718 and p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.717). The training monotony for the sprints was meaningfully greater in pre-season than in the first half of in-season (p < 0.001; d = 0.953) and greater than the second half of in-season (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.916). Comparisons between playing positions revealed that small-to-moderate effect sizes differences mainly for the number of sprints in acute load, training monotony, and training strain. In conclusion, the study revealed that greater acute load, training monotony, and training strain occurred in the pre-season and progressively decreased across the season. Moreover, external defenders and wingers were subjected to meaningfully greater acute load and training strain for HSR and number of sprints during the season compared to the remaining positions.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciano Antonacci Condessa ◽  
Christian Emmanuel Torres Cabido ◽  
André Maia Lima ◽  
Daniel Barbosa Coelho ◽  
Vinicius M. Rodrigues ◽  
...  

This study compared the exercise intensity of four specific soccer training sessions (friendly and training match, tactical and technical workouts). Ten professional soccer players (24.2 ± 3.7 years, 177.9 ± 7.3 cm, 63.2 ± 4.6 mLO2•kg-1•min-l) were recruited. A treadmill progressive interval test was performed to determine the players' VO2max, maximal heart rate (HRmax), HR-VO2 curve, and the heart rate corresponding to blood lactate concentrations of 2 and 4 mmol/L. The heart rate during the training sessions was used to estimate the exercise intensity and to classify them into intensity zones (low-intensity: <2 mmol/L; moderate-intensity: between 2 and 4 mmol/L; high-intensity: >4 mmol/L). Exercise intensities were different among training sessions (friendly match: 86.0 ± 5.1% HRmax; training match: 81.2 ± 4.1% HRmax; tactical workout: 70.4 ± 5.3% HRmax; technical workout: 62.1 ± 3.6% HRmax). The friendly match presented the highest percentage of time performed in the high-intensity zone.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (23) ◽  
pp. 5576
Author(s):  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Francisco Tomás González-Fernández ◽  
Halil Ibrahim Ceylan ◽  
Rui Silva ◽  
Saeid Younesi ◽  
...  

Background: Pre-season training in soccer can induce changes in biological markers in the circulation. However, relationships between chosen hematological and biochemical blood parameters and training load have not been measured. Objective: Analyze the blood measures changes and their relationships with training loads changes after pre-season training. Methodology: Twenty-five professional soccer players were assessed by training load measures (derived from rate of perceived exertion- known as RPE) during the pre-season period. Additionally, blood samples were collected for hematological and biochemical analyses. Results: For hematological parameters, significant increases were found for platelets (PLT) (dif: 6.42; p = 0.006; d = −0.36), while significant decreases were found for absolute neutrophils count (ANC) (dif: −3.98; p = 0.006; d = 0.11), and absolute monocytes count (AMC) (dif: −16.98; p = 0.001; d = 0.78) after the pre-season period. For biochemical parameters, there were significant increases in creatinine (dif: 5.15; p = 0.001; d = −0.46), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (dif: 12.55; p = 0.001; d = −0.84), C-reactive protein (CRP) (dif: 15.15; p = 0.001; d = −0.67), cortisol (dif: 2.85; p = 0.001; d = −0.28), and testosterone (dif: 5.38; p = 0.001; d = −0.52), whereas there were significant decreases in calcium (dif: −1.31; p = 0.007; d =0.49) and calcium corrected (dif: −2.18; p = 0.015; d = 0.82) after the pre-season period. Moreover, the Hooper Index (dif: 13.22; p = 0.01; d = 0.78), and all derived RPE measures increased after pre-season period. Moderate-to-very large positive and negative correlations (r range: 0.50–0.73) were found between the training load and hematological measures percentage of changes. Moderate-to-large positive and negative correlations (r range: 0.50–0.60) were found between training load and biochemical measures percentage of changes. Conclusions: The results indicated heavy physical loads during the pre-season, leading to a decrease in immune functions. Given the significant relationships between blood and training load measures, monitoring hematological and biochemical measures allow coaches to minimize injury risk, overreaching, and overtraining.


Retos ◽  
2017 ◽  
pp. 54-57
Author(s):  
Francisco Javier Toscano Bendala ◽  
Miguel Angel Campos Vázquez ◽  
Luis Jesús Suarez-Arrones ◽  
Francisco Javier Núñez Sánchez

The aim of the current research was to find out the differences that exist between the external load in high-velocity actions (SP+) in competitions and in training sessions of professional soccer team. We took as SP+ indicators those actions that the soccer players performed over 23 km·h-1 and could be held for at least 1 second. It was monitored 25 professional players belonging to the first team of a team of the first Spanish soccer division, and were used 10 GPS devices were used (SPI, ELITE model, GPSport, Canberra, Australia). These GSPORT transmitters have a sampling frequency of 1 Hz. The results of our study showed how during the game, the players performed substantially more number of SP+ de 1 s, 2 s, 3 s y 4 s (per minute of activity) than during training.Resumen.  El objetivo de esta investigación fue encontrar las diferencias que existen entre la carga externa en acciones de alta velocidad (SP+) en paridos amistosos de pretemporada y las sesiones de entrenamientos en un equipo de fútbol profesional. Tomamos como indicadores SP + aquellas acciones que realizan los jugadores de fútbol por encima de 23 km·h-1 y pudiendo ser mantenidas durante al menos 1 segundo. Se monitorizaron 25 jugadores profesionales pertenecientes a la primera plantilla de un equipo de la primera división de fútbol español, y se utilizaron 10 dispositivos GPS (SPI, ELITE model, GPSport, Canberra, Australia). Estos transmisores GPSORT, tienen una frecuencia de muestreo de 1 Hz. Los resultados de nuestro estudio manifestaron como durante el partido, los jugadores realizaron de manera sustancial más número de SP+ de 1 s, 2 s, 3 s y 4 s (por minuto de actividad) que durante los entrenamientos.


Author(s):  
Hadi Nobari ◽  
Rafael Oliveira ◽  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Jose Carmelo Adsuar ◽  
Jorge Pérez-Gómez ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study was two-fold: (1) to describe weekly average values for training monotony (TM) and training strain (TS) and their variations across the full soccer season, based on the number of accelerations and decelerations; (2) to analyze the differences between starter and non-starter players on weekly average TM and TS values for the pre-season and three in-season periods. In total, 21 professional soccer players were evaluated over 48 weeks during the full-season. The TM and TS were calculated based on the number of accelerations and decelerations at zone 1, zone 2 and zone 3, respectively. The results revealed that starters presented higher values compared to non-starters throughout the full season for all variables analyzed (all, p < 0.05). Generally, there were higher values in the pre-season. Specifically, accelerations at zones 1, 2 and 3 revealed moderate to very large significance of the starters compared to non-starters over the full-season. Decelerations at zone 1, 2 and 3 presented moderate to nearly optimally significant greater weekly averages for starters compared to non-starters during the full season. In conclusion, the TM and TS values were higher for starters compared to non-starters through the full-season, which confirms that the training session does not provide a sufficient load to non-starter soccer players during the full-season.


Author(s):  
Hadi Nobari ◽  
Gibson Moreira Praça ◽  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Jorge Pérez-Gómez ◽  
Jorge Carlos Vivas ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to compare the weekly average training monotony new body load (wTMNBL) and strain (wTSNBL), as well as the weekly average training monotony metabolic power average (wTMMPA) and strain (wTSMPA) between four periods of a season (preseason, early-season, mid-season, and end-season), considering starters and non-starters. Twenty-one professional soccer players (age: 28.27 ± 3.78 years) were monitored throughout a season in the highest level of professional football Premier League in Iran. Data were captured by Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. Independent samples T-tests were applied to analyze the between-group differences for all dependent derived-GPS variables for the full season and its different periods (preseason, early-season, mid-season, and end-season). Based on the amount of time attending in match and training, players were divided into two groups (starters and non-starters) each week. The magnitude of the between-group difference revealed a very large significant greater weekly average TMNBL ( p<0.001, d = −2.42), TSNBL ( p<0.001; d = −2.74), TMMPA ( p<0.001; d =–2.79) and TSMPA ( p<0.001; d = −3.27) for starters when compared to non-starters during the early-season. The findings also revealed a very large significant difference when starters were compared to non-starters during the mid-season (TMNBL: p<0.001, d = −2.89; TSNBL: p<0.001, d = −2.99; TMMPA: p<0.001, d = −3.28; and TSMPA: p<0.001, d = −3.25) and end-season (TMNBL: p<0.001, d = −2.89; TSNBL: p<0.001, d = −3.07; TMMPA: p<0.001, d = −3.16; and TSMPA: p<0.001, d = −3.58). In summary, the results of this study revealed that starters present regularly higher values of NBL, MPA-based weekly training monotony, and training strain than non-starters. This result must be taken into account when planning weekly workloads for these groups. Specifically, starters might experience high values of external workloads because of match-related demands. Therefore, weekly adjustments in their training workload are required to reduce injury risk.


Author(s):  
Cecilia Ruiz-Esteban ◽  
Aurelio Olmedilla ◽  
Inmaculada Méndez ◽  
Juan Jesús Tobal

The psychological variables that affect competitive performance are called the psychological profile of athletes. In recent years, the interest in female soccer players and the psychological characteristics that affect their performance has increased. The aim of the present study is to analyze the psychological characteristics of female professional soccer players and female amateur soccer players, as well as to determine the differences in the psychological profile of both groups. The participants were 134 federated female soccer players, with an average age of 18.28 years (SD = 4.05). To assess the psychological profile, the questionnaire on Psychological Characteristics related to Sports Performance (CPRD) by Gimeno, Buceta, and Pérez-Llantada (2001) was used. The results showed that female professional players presented higher values for motivation, while the female amateur players presented higher values for stress control and the influence of performance evaluation. These results can have a great impact on coaches’ work, since they can help them to establish tasks and training methods consistent with the characteristics of their players.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeid Younesi ◽  
Alireza Rabbani ◽  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Rui Silva ◽  
Hugo Sarmento ◽  
...  

The purposes of this study were (1) to analyze between-session variations of external and internal load measures during small-sided games (SSGs) and (2) to test the relationships between the maximum speed reached (VIFT) during the last stage of the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test, hemoglobin levels, and training load measures during SSG intervals among professional soccer players. Sixteen professional soccer players (mean ± SD; age 27.2 ± 3.4 years, height 174.2 ± 3.6 cm, body mass 69.1 ± 6.4 kg, and body fat 10.4 ± 4.1%) participated in this study. Hemoglobin and aerobic performance were first tested, and then a 3-week SSG program was applied using a 3 vs. 3 format. During those 3 weeks, internal and external load of entire sessions were also monitored for all training sessions. Trivial-to-small, standardized differences were observed between sessions for external and internal measures during SSGs. Total distance (TD) and mechanical work (MW) were the only variables that indicated small changes. Large-to-very-large relationships were found between VIFT and external loads: TD (r range: 0.69; 0.87), high-intensity running (HIR; r range: 0.66; 0.75), and MW (r range: 0.56; 0.68). Moderate-to-large negative relationships were found between hemoglobin levels and internal loads: Edwards’ TRIMP (r range: −0.36; −0.63), %HRmax (r range: −0.50; −0.61), and red zone (r range: −0.50; −0.61). VIFT had unclear relationships with overall internal loads, while hemoglobin levels presented unclear relationships with overall external loads. In conclusion, no meaningful changes were found between sessions considering the format of play used. Additionally, the detected relationships indicate that VIFT and hemoglobin levels are good indicators of the performance capacity and physiological profile of players during SSGs. Also, the use of SSGs protocols as a monitoring complement of the 30-15IFT is suggested.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document