Small-sided games do not replicate all external and internal loads of a football match-play during pre-season: A case study

This study investigated the differences in external and internal load during pre-season training sessions carried out with different SSGs and a friendly match in top-class professional football players. The study was conducted over a full pre-season. Participants were 9 male top-class professional football players (25 ± 5 years; 74 ± 8 kg; 177 ± 8 cm). The following variables were measured: training session duration (min), average heart rate (bpm), total distance (m), distance covered per minute (m/min), the total number of accelerations > 2.5 m/s2, number of accelerations > 2.5 m/s2 per minute, average distance of accelerations (m), the average value of acceleration (m/s2). One-way ANOVA was performed to analyze the variance of all evaluated variables. No differences were found in the average accelerations (m/s2) (0.128) among all the training formats. Moderate differences were found in number of accelerations > 2.5 m/s2 per minute (η2 = 0.396, moderate effect) and average distance of accelerations (η2 = 0.545). Strong differences were found in HR (η2 = 0.788, large effect), total distance (η2 = 0.797, strong effect), distance per minute (η2 = 0.775 strong effect), total number of accelerations > 2.5 m/s2 (η2 = 0.699 strong effect). Significant correlations were found just for the number of accelerations > 2.5 m/s2 and the number of accelerations > 2.5 m/s2 per minute with the 4v4, 8v8 and the FM (r = 0.828–0.890, r2 = 69% – 79%; p < 0.01). External and internal loads differ across different SSGs and a FM during the pre-season training sessions.

The influence of the field orientation on physical demands in soccer small-sided games

The aim of this study was to compare the physical demands of SSG with either greater length (SSGlength) or width (SSGwidth) with official soccer matches. Sixteen Brazilian U-20 national-level soccer players participated in two sessions with SSGlength (4v4, 40 m length and 26 m width) and two sessions with SSGwidth (4v4, 26 m length and 40 m width). External and internal load variables were monitored and compared to official games (12.8 ± 8.9 games per player). Data were standardized to the time and compared between the experimental conditions by a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures (level of significance set at p < 0.05). The effect size was calculated by the partial ETA squared (ɳ p2). Results showed that the total distance covered during SSGlength was significantly higher compared to official matches (8.1%; p = 0.001) and SSGwidth (5.2%; p = 0.049). Highest values were registered in the matches when compared to SSGlength and SSGwidth for high-speed distance, sprint distance, maximal speed and number of sprints. The number of accelerations was significantly lower during official matches than SSGwidth (36.5%; p = 0.002) and SSGlength (45.0%; p < 0.001). The number of high-speed actions was higher in official games when compared to SSGwidth (47.1%; p < 0.001). No differences were found between matches and SSGlength ( p = 0.059). We concluded that the physical demands of the 4v4 SSGs adopted in this study were different from the physical demands of official match play. The use of a field with a greater width rather than length does not appear to make the physical demands of the SSG more similar to the official games.

Mechanics of Tubes Composed of Interlocking Building Blocks

Topologically interlocking material (TIM) systems are composed of convex polyhedral units placed such that building blocks restrict each other's movement. Here, TIM tubes are considered as rolled monolayers of such assemblies. The deformation response of these assembled tubes under diametrical loading is considered. This investigation employs experiments on additivelymanufactured physical realizations and finite element analysis with contact interactions. The internal load transfer in topologically interlocking tubes is rationalized through inspection of the distribution of minimum principalstress. A thrust-line (TL) model for the deformation of topologically interlocking tubes is established. The model approximates the deformation response of the assembled tubes as the response of a collection of Misestrusses aligned with paths of maximum load transfer in the system. The predictions obtained with the TL-model are in good agreement with results of finite element models. Accounting for sliding between building blocks in theTL-model yields a predicted response more similar to experimental results with additively manufactured tubes.

he Relationship between External and Internal Load during Elite Pre-season Friendly Basketball Games.

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between External Load (EL) and internal load (IL). Thirteen male basketball players competing at professional level in First Spanish Division (ACB) during six friendly games throughout the 2020/2021 preseason were monitored. The EL variables collected were movement load (ML), movement intensity (MI), box score time (BST), and total duration (TD)] while IL variables monitored were heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), training impulse (TRIMP) and time invested in five HR zones. Very large to almost perfect correlation (r= 0.77-0.91) exists between EL variables except TD. In addition, HR, TRIMP and RR present large to very large correlation (r= 0.55-0.79) with all EL variables except TD. Monitoring HR-based variables would present general information and an estimated prediction of players EL which could allow basketball practitioners to prioritize time invested players internal/external load.

Analysis of the External and Internal Load in 5vs5 Large Sided Games: Differences Between Different Sized Fields

The study purpose. The purpose of the study is to analyze and understand the internal and external load in Large Sided Games (LSG) exercises carried out on fields of different sizes, defined as Small – Large Sided Games (SLSG) and Big – Large Sided Games (BLSG), according to the different square meters assigned to each player. Materials and methods. 22 professional soccer players (average age: 23.59 ± 4.87 years, weight: 77.8 ± 7.6 kg, height: 183.5 ± 7.5 cm, age training: 13.1 ± 1.7). The LSG exercises were carried out on a 60 x 54 m field (270 m2/player), defined as "small" (SLSG) and on a 65 x 60 m field (325 m2/player) defined as "big" (BLSG). During the two LSG exercises, the internal load and the external load were analyzed. LSG exercises were performed with 4 sets of 5 minutes each, with 2 minutes of passive recovery between each set. Results. The results of the internal load analysis show how the LSG carried out on a SLSG field provides higher and more significant HR values (p < 0.0005) than those emerged during the exercise carried out on a BLSG field. The RPE value is also higher during the SLSG, although statistically no significant difference appears. The analysis of the external load in relation with the observed parameters shows higher values in the BLSG, except for the number of accelerations. Conclusions. In terms of external and internal load, the results of this study showed how the difference of 55 m2/player can radically change the configuration of the two exercises. These differences allow to use both dimensions within a micro-cycle, but in sessions with different goals. The most appropriate sessions for LSGs are the first post-match session in which the rest day is not gone and the fourth session 3 days before the match.

The Effects of Match Congestion on Physical Performance in Football Referees

We examined the changes in performance during congested (two matches within a 7-day interval) and non-congested (one match within≥7-day interval) fixtures in 17 elite football (soccer) referees during 181 official matches. External demands comprised 20 GPS-based metrics. Internal load was assessed by heart rate and rating of perceived exertion. Compared to non-congested fixtures, referees decreased their running distance at 21–24 km·h−1 (p=0.027, effect size [ES]=0.41) and > 24 km·h−1 (p=0.037, ES=0.28), the number of sprints (p=0.012, ES=0.29), and distance sprinting (p=0.022, ES=0.29) in congested matches. Most play metrics were lower in congested versus non-congested fixtures with low-to-moderate ES. During the 2nd half of non-congested fixtures, referees covered larger distances at low-speed running (p=0.025, ES=0.47). Match congestion due to officiating two matches less than a week apart caused a notable decrease in match running activity in professional football referees, especially at above 21 km·h−1. These data reiterate the need for specific conditioning and post-match recovery strategies in high-level referees to ensure optimal judgment performance favouring the quality of the competition. Governing bodies should take these outcomes into account when designating referees for a match.

Carga interna y externa en el tenis de competición: comparación de tres tipos de entrenamiento (Internal and external load in competitive tennis: comparison of three types of training)

El objetivo principal de esta investigación es cuantificar la carga externa y la carga interna en tres tipos de entrenamiento (cubos con la mano, cubos con raqueta y peloteos) más utilizados en el ámbito del tenis de competición y compararlos entre sí. Participaron 6 jugadores de tenis (cuatro jugadores masculinos y 2 jugadoras) con una media de edad de 16.67 (± 2.73) años. Para cuantificar las cargas, se han utilizado pulsómetros POLAR +M400 para recoger los datos relacionados con la frecuencia cardíaca, distancia recorrida, velocidad media y máxima, y sensores ZEPP TENNIS, con los que se han recogido los datos relativos a tipo de golpe, número de golpeos y velocidad de raqueta en cada uno de los golpes realizados. Además, para registrar la percepción subjetiva de esfuerzo, en cada tarea realizada y al final de cada entrenamiento, se ha utilizado la Escala de Borg CR-10 (Borg, 1982). Se realizaron 9 sesiones de entrenamiento por parejas: tres para el entrenamiento del drive, tres para el entrenamiento del revés y tres para el entrenamiento del drive y el revés de forma conjunta, una para cada tipo de entrenamiento. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que el entrenamiento de cubos con la mano tiene mayor carga interna en cuanto a número de golpeos y velocidad media de raqueta, siendo el entrenamiento de peloteos el que mayor carga externa refleja en relación a velocidades y distancias recorridas. Abstract. The main objective of this research is to quantify the external load and the internal load in three types of training (buckets with the hand, buckets with racket and rallies) most used in the field of tennis and compare them to each other. Six tennis players participated (four male and two female players) with an average age of 16.67 (± 2.73) years. To quantify the loads, POLAR +M400 heart rate monitors were used to collect the data related to heart rate, distance covered, average and maximum speed, and ZEPP TENNIS sensors were used to collect the data related to type of stroke, number of strokes and racket speed for each of the strokes made. In addition, the Borg CR-10 Scale (Borg, 1982) has been used to record the rate of perceived exertion, in each task performed and at the end of each training session. Nine training sessions were carried out in pairs: three for drive training, three for backhand training and three for drive and backhand training together, one for each type of training. The results obtained show that bucket training with the hand has a greater internal load in terms of the number of strokes and average racket speed, with racket training having the greatest external load in relation to speed and distance travelled.

Quantification method influences training load change in high school cross-country runners across a competitive season

Context: Running programs traditionally monitor external loads (e.g., time, distance). There has been a recent movement to encompass a more comprehensive approach to also monitor training loads that account for internal loads (e.g., intensity, measured as session rating of perceived exertion [sRPE]). The combination of an external and internal load accounts for the potential interaction between these loads. While differences in weekly change in training loads have been reported between external loads and the combination of an external and internal load during 2- and 4-week training cycles, there are no reports whether these differences are apparent during an entire cross-country season in high school runners. Objective: To compare change in training loads, as measured by external loads and combinations of an external and internal load, in high school runners during an interscholastic cross-country season. Design: Case-series. Setting: Community-based with daily online surveys. Participants: Twenty-four high school cross-country runners (female=14, male=10, age=15.9±1.1 years, running experience=9.9±3.2 years). Main Outcome Measure(s): Week-to-week percent change in training load when measured by external loads (time, distance) and the combination of an external and internal load (timeRPE, distanceRPE). Results: Overall, the average weekly change was 7.1% greater for distanceRPE compared to distance (p=.04, d=0.18). When decreasing weekly running duration, the average weekly change was 5.2% greater for distanceRPE compared to timeRPE (p=.03, d=0.24). When maintaining or increasing weekly running duration, the average weekly change was 10–15% greater when an external load was combined with an internal load compared to external loads alone, but these differences were non- significant (p=.11–.22, d=0.19–0.34). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that progression in training load may be underestimated when relying solely on external loads. The interaction between internal loads (sRPE) and external loads (distance or time) appears to provide a different measure of training stresses experienced by runners than external loads alone.

External and internal load during training sessions in elite women’s soccer: a systematic mini review

Review question / Objective: The present systematic mini review aim to provide an overview about external and internal load during training sessions in elite women’s soccer, with special focus on fatigue, training adaptions and injuries. Condition being studied: Continuous training load monitoring in the context of the regular team routine. Eligibility criteria: To investigate continuous monitoring, we include articles with a minimum of one week of monitoring, irrespective of gender and study focus (e.g. studies reporting descriptive data of training load without studying its effects will be included). Articles will be excluded if: the participants are not all elite women’s soccer players (e.g. mixed samples including elite and non-elite players); the participants are aged under 18; the participants are not monitored longitudinally over a minimum of a 1-week period or five sessions (if the duration is not stated; friendly matches are considered training sessions) to consider continuous monitoring practices; no GPS-derived training load data are reported; the articles do not report any training load indicators; single drills are monitored rather than the entire training session, or the article focuses on the comparison between a specific drill and match demands; data from training sessions are not reported; and the articles are editorials or reviews.

In-Season Internal Load and Wellness Variations in Professional Women Soccer Players: Comparisons between Playing Positions and Status

The internal intensity monitoring in soccer has been used more in recent years in men’s football; however, in women’s soccer, the existing literature is still scarce. The aims of this study were threefold: (a) to describe the weekly variations of training monotony, training strain and acute: chronic workload ratio through session Rated Perceived Exertion (s-RPE); (b) to describe weekly variations of Hooper Index [stress, fatigue, Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and sleep]; and (c) to compare those variations between playing positions and player status. Nineteen players (24.1 ± 2.7 years) from a Portuguese BPI League professional team participated in this study. All variables were collected in a 10-week in-season period with three training sessions and one match per week during the 2019/20 season. Considering the overall team, the results showed that there were some associations between Hooper Index categories and s-RPE like stress or fatigue (0.693, p < 0.01), stress or DOMS (0.593, p < 0.01), stress or s-RPE (−0.516, p < 0.05) and fatigue or DOMS (0.688, p < 0.01). There were no differences between all parameters in playing positions or player status. In conclusion, the study revealed that higher levels of fatigue and DOMS occur concurrently with better nights of sleep. Moreover, any in-season variations concerning internal load and perceived wellness seems independent of position or status in outfield players. The data also showed that the higher the players’ reported stress, the lower the observed s-RPE, thus possibly indicating a mutual interference of experienced stress levels on the assimilation of training intensity by elite women soccer players.