scholarly journals Physical Demands of Women's Soccer Matches: A Perspective Across the Developmental Spectrum

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason D. Vescovi ◽  
Elton Fernandes ◽  
Alexander Klas

Female soccer players are exposed to specific physical demands during matches, which vary according to the standard of play. Existing studies have largely focused on quantifying the distances covered for professional and international level players. This approach is limited in scope regarding the broader aspects around physical demands and is detached from development pathway models. An understanding of the demands across all standards will provide valuable insights about appropriate player development and help ensure physical readiness for the demands of the sport. The aim of this perspective paper is to describe the physical demands experienced during women's soccer matches across the developmental spectrum. A combination of evidence from the literature and data from the author's research (JDV) is presented. Specifically highlighted are the trends for locomotor distances, acceleration and deceleration frequency, and metabolic power metrics for youth (≤U17), college (NCAA/U20), professional (domestic) and international standards of women's soccer. In addition, the changes in match demands between levels of play are used to help illustrate gaps that must be overcome in order to successfully achieve physical readiness to compete at higher levels. The evidence demonstrates the importance of training appropriate attributes to prepare female soccer players who are striving to play at progressively higher standards.

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 259-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pedro Reche-Soto ◽  
Donaldo Cardona-Nieto ◽  
Arturo Diaz-Suarez ◽  
Alejandro Bastida-Castillo ◽  
Carlos Gomez-Carmona ◽  
...  

Abstract There has recently been an increase in quantification and objective analysis of soccer performance due to improvements in technology using load indexes such as Player Load (PL) and Metabolic Power (MP). The objectives of this study were: (1) to describe the performance of PL and MP in competition according to the specific role, match‐to‐ match variation, periods of play, game location and match status according to game periods, and (2) to analyze the relationship between both indexes. Twenty‐one national‐level soccer players were distributed in the following specific positional roles: external defenders (ED) (n = 4), central defenders (CD) (n = 4), midfielders (M) (n = 5), external midfielders (EM) (n = 4) and attackers (A) (n = 4). A total of 12 matches played by a Spanish Third Division team during the 2016/2017 season were analyzed. WIMU PROTM inertial devices (RealTrack System, Almeria, Spain) were used for recording the data. The main results were: (1) a performance reduction in both variables over the course of match time, (2) significant differences in both variables based on the specific position, (3) differences in physical demands during the season matches, (4) winning during a game period and the condition of being the visitor team provoked higher demands, and (5) a high correlation between both variables in soccer. In conclusion, different contextual variables influence the external load demands; both indexes are related so they could be used for external load quantification, and it is necessary to analyze physical demands of the competition for a specific and individualized load design in training sessions.


2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Wilhelm Hoppe ◽  
Christian Baumgart ◽  
Mirko Slomka ◽  
Ted Polglaze ◽  
Jürgen Freiwald

Abstract This study aimed to determine the within-subject variability of GPS-derived metabolic power data in elite soccer players across several pre-season matches and compare the variability of high metabolic power, velocity, acceleration and deceleration running. Additionally, differences in metabolic power data among playing positions and relationships with various physical abilities were also investigated. Metabolic power data from 12 outfield starting players competing in the German Bundesliga were collected during five pre-season matches using GPS-technology (10 Hz). The players were also tested for speed, agility, power and intermittent endurance. Variability of global metabolic power data such as energy expenditure (CV = 2.2-7.0%) was lower than that for high-intensity including time ≥20 W·kg-1 (CV = 14.0-26.2%). Variability of high metabolic power (≥20 W·kg-1; CV = 14.1 ± 3.5%) was comparable to that of high velocity (≥15.5 km·h-1; CV = 17.0 ± 6.2%), acceleration (≥3 m·s-2; CV = 11.1 ± 5.1%) and deceleration running (≤-3 m·s-2; CV = 11.9 ± 4.5%) (p > 0.05, ES < 0.2). Defenders had a largely higher overall energy expenditure than midfielders and attackers (p < 0.01, ES > 0.6). Overall energy expenditure and cost were largely to very largely correlated with 5 m speed and 22 m agility sprint time and counter movement jump height (r = -0.70-0.69, p < 0.05). The detected variability indicates that global GPS-derived metabolic power data in elite soccer players from a single preseason match should be preferably used for practical applications. Contrary, high-intensity indicators should be interpreted cautiously and repeated match observations are recommended to establish meaningful high-intensity profiles of the players. Differences among playing positions and relationships with explosive physical abilities indicate that metabolic power analyses can provide new insights into the mechanics and energetics of soccer.


Author(s):  
Hadi Nobari ◽  
Sara Mahmoudzadeh Khalili ◽  
Rafael Oliveira ◽  
Alfonso Castillo-Rodríguez ◽  
Jorge Pérez-Gómez ◽  
...  

Soccer is a popular team sport and highly demanding activity that requires high effort and long-term training plans. The goals of this study were to compare the accelerations, decelerations and metabolic power between official and friendly full matches, between the first and second halves of the matches, and between both halves of official and friendly matches. Twelve professional soccer players (age, 28.6 ± 2.7 years; height, 182.1 ± 8.6 cm; body mass, 75.3 ± 8.2 kg; BMI, 22.6 ± 0.7 kg/m2) participated in this study. A total of 33 official and 10 friendly matches were analyzed from the Iranian Premier League. All matches were monitored using GPSPORTS systems Pty Ltd. The following variables were selected: total duration of the matches, metabolic power, accelerations Zone1 (<2 m·s−2) (AccZ1), accelerations Zone2 (2 to 4 m·s−2) (AccZ2), accelerations Zone3 (>4 m·s−2) (AccZ3), decelerations Zone1 (<−2 m·s−2) (DecZ1), decelerations Zone2 (−2 to −4 m·s−2) (DecZ2) and decelerations Zone3 (>−4 m·s−2) (DecZ3). The major finding was shown in metabolic power, where higher values occurred in friendly matches (p < 0.05 with small effect size). Furthermore, total duration, AccZ3, DecZ1, DecZ2, and DecZ3 were revealed to be higher in official matches, while AccZ1 and AccZ2 were higher in friendly matches. The second half of the official matches revealed higher values for total duration compared to friendly matches (p < 0.05, moderate effect size). In conclusion, this study observed higher values of metabolic power in friendly matches compared to official matches. AccZ3, DecZ1, DecZ2, and DecZ3 were higher in official matches, while AccZ1 and AccZ2 were higher in friendly matches.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6747
Author(s):  
Hadi Nobari ◽  
Rafael Oliveira ◽  
Marefat Siahkouhian ◽  
Jorge Pérez-Gómez ◽  
Florin Cazan ◽  
...  

The aims of this study were to analyze the within-group weekly metabolic power average (wMPA), weekly acceleration zones (wAcZ), and weekly deceleration zones (wDcZ), in starter and non-starter professional soccer players, based on different periods of the full season (pre-, early-, mid-, and end-season). Twenty-one professional soccer players (age, 28.3 ± 3.8 years; height, 181.2 ± 7.1 cm; body mass, 74.5 ± 7.7 kg; BMI, 22.6 ± 1.0 kg·m2) were monitored during the full season in the highest level of the Iranian Premier League. WMPA, wAcZ, and wDcZ at three different zones (wAcZ1, wAcZ2, wAcZ3, wDcZ1, wDcZ2, wDcZ3) were collected using Global Positioning System. ANOVA was applied to analyze within-group changes across the different periods of the full season. In general, starters presented higher values in the beginning of the season (pre- and early-season) and lower values at mid- and end-season. Specifically, starters showed significant differences in early- vs. mid-season for wMPA, wAcZ1, and wDcZ1 (p < 0.05), plus early- vs. end-season for wMPA and wAcZ1 (p < 0.01). In addition, non-starters showed higher values in the pre-season that decreased until the end-season for wMPA, wAcZ1, and wDcZ1. Regarding wAcZ2, wDcZ2, wAcZ3, and wDcZ3, non-starters presented higher values in early-season that decreased until the end-season. Specifically, non-starters showed significant differences in pre- vs. mid-season for wMPA, wAcZ1, and wDcZ1; pre- vs. end-season for wMPA, wDcZ1, wDccZ2, and wDcZ3; early- vs. mid-season for wMPA, wAcZ1, wDcZ1, wAcZ2, and wDccZ2; early- vs. end-season for wMPA, wAcZ1, wDcZ1, wAcZ2 wDccZ2, wAcZ3, and wDcZ3; and mid- vs. end-season for wMPA, wAcZ1, and wAcZ3 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, starters were revealed to have higher values in pre- and early-season, and lower values in mid- to end-season, while non-starters were revealed to have lower load values in pre- and end-season and higher load values in early- and mid-season. This study provides extra insights over the season for starters and non-starters, respectively. Data can be used by coaches to better training periodization across soccer season.


2013 ◽  
Vol 38 ◽  
pp. 201-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Micael Santos Couceiro ◽  
Fernando Manuel Lourenço Martins ◽  
Monika Ognyanova Ivanova ◽  
Rui Mendes

Abstract The main objective of this study was to analyse the distance covered and the activity profile that players presented at the FIFA World Cup in 2010. Complementarily, the distance covered by each team within the same competition was analysed. For the purposes of this study 443 players were analysed, of which 35 were goalkeepers, 84 were external defenders, 77 were central defenders, 182 were midfielders, and 65 were forwards. Afterwards, a thorough analysis was performed on 16 teams that reached the group stage, 8 teams that achieved the round of 16, 4 teams that reached the quarter-finals, and 4 teams that qualified for the semi-finals and finals. A comparison of the mean distance covered per minute among the playing positions showed statistically significant differences (F(4,438) = 559.283; p < 0.001; 2 = 0.836; Power = 1.00). A comparison of the activity time among tactical positions also resulted in statistically significant differences, specifically, low activity (F(4,183.371) = 1476.844; p < 0.001; 2 = 0.742; Power = 1.00), medium activity (F(4,183.370) = 1408.106; p < 0.001; 2 = 0.731; Power = 1.00), and high activity (F(4,182.861) = 1152.508; p < 0.001; 2 = 0.703; Power = 1.00). Comparing the mean distance covered by teams, differences that are not statistically significant were observed (F(3,9.651) = 4.337; p < 0.035; 2 = 0.206; Power = 0.541). In conclusion, the tactical positions of the players and their specific tasks influence the activity profile and physical demands during a match.


Author(s):  
Vincenzo Manzi ◽  
Giuseppe Annino ◽  
Cristian Savoia ◽  
Giuseppe Caminiti ◽  
Elvira Padua ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-90
Author(s):  
Heita Goto ◽  
James A. King

Purpose: The purposes of the present study were to examine high-intensity running distance during 6-a-side small-sided games (SSGs) and 11-a-side matches (11M) in youth soccer players using speed and metabolic power approaches and the magnitude of difference between the high-intensity running distance calculated with the 2 approaches. Method: A total of 11 outfield players (age = 16.3 [0.6] y) performed SSGs with 3 pitch sizes (small SSG [SSGS], medium SSG, and large SSG [SSGL]) and 11M. A Global Positioning System (15 Hz) was employed to calculate total distance covered, distance covered at a speed ≥4.3 m·s−1 (TS), and metabolic power of ≥20 W·kg−1 (TP). Results: The total distance covered increased from SSGS through to SSGL (P < .001) and was greater during 11M and SSGL compared with other SSGs (P < .01). TS and TP increased from SSGS (TS vs TP = 98 [55] vs 547 [181] m) through to SSGL (538 [167] vs 1050 [234] m; P < .001). TS and TP during 11M (370 [122] vs 869 [233] m) was greater than SSGS (P < .001 for both) and less than SSGL (P < .05 for both). The magnitude of difference between TS and TP (as a percentage) was lower with an increase in pitch size during SSGs and was greater in SSGS (615% [404%]; P < .001), medium SSG (195% [76%]; P < .05), and smaller in SSGL (102% [33%]; P < .01) compared with 11M (145% [53%]). Conclusion: SSGs can replicate the high-intensity demands of 11M and the speed approach underestimates the high-intensity demands of SSGs and 11M compared with the metabolic power approach.


2018 ◽  
pp. 769-799
Author(s):  
Shefali Virkar

Most recently, the world has witnessed a spectacular increase in the size and number of Transnational Corporations (TNCs); an explosion that has resulted in the overseas practices of such companies coming under intense scrutiny, and in the realisation that governments often lack the resources necessary to ensure TNC compliance to international standards in key areas such as labour rights, environmental pollution, and social justice. Against the backdrop of significant failure in national- and international-level attempts to administer Transnational Corporations, this research chapter will examine the effectiveness of codes of ethical corporate conduct devised to enhance the regulation of corporate behaviour. The research presented herein focuses on the conceptualisation of such regulatory mechanisms, and their relationship to the larger corpus of corporate social, commercial, and ethical strategic interactions; evaluating their effectiveness as instruments of privatised governance through the particular examination of corporate stakeholder behaviour and recent examples of global best practice.


2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (5) ◽  
pp. 376-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan S. McCann ◽  
Kyle B. Kosik ◽  
Masafumi Terada ◽  
Megan Q. Beard ◽  
Gretchen E. Buskirk ◽  
...  

Context:The Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and Functional Movement Screen (FMS) are functional performance measures capable of predicting lower-extremity injury risk. While suboptimal SEBT and FMS performances are influenced by multiple factors, the contribution of hip strength and flexibility to these tests is mostly unknown. Examination of hip strength and flexibility influences on the SEBT and FMS may direct clinicians to better methods of correcting functional deficits.Objective:Determine the relationships of isometric hip strength and hip passive range of motion (PROM) with functional performance measures.Design:Cross-sectional.Setting:Athletic training facility.Participants:43 NCAA Division I women’s soccer players (19.65 ± 1.12 y; 166.93 ± 3.84 cm; 60.99 ± 4.31 kg) volunteered.Data Collection and Analysis:All participants were tested bilaterally in the SEBT; the deep squat, in-line lunge, hurdle step, and straight leg raise, comprising a lower-extremity FMS (FMS-LE); hip internal and external rotation PROM; and isometric hip extension strength (HEXT). The mean of the 3 averaged, normalized SEBT scores was used as a composite score. Pearson product moment correlations assessed relationships of SEBT and FMS-LE scores with PROM and HEXT. Significance was set a priori at P < .05.Results:Pearson correlations revealed anterior (ANT) SEBT scores had a low negative association with HEXT (r = –0.33,P = .004) and a low positive association with hip internal rotation PROM (PROM-IR) (r = .43,P = .003). All other correlations were negligible.Conclusions:Flexibility training aimed at PROM-IR may contribute to improved ANT scores. Targeting HEXT and hip external rotation PROM are likely not preferred means of correcting deficits in SEBT and FMS-LE performance.


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