Variables and distance covered during the World Cup Southafrica'10

El objetivo de este trabajo fue relacionar las variables contextuales y la velocidad media de los desplazamientos realizados por los equipos que participaron durante la Copa del Mundo Sudáfrica 2010. Se estudiaron 128 registros, medidos a través de la velocidad media en metros por minuto (m∙min1), durante los 64 partidos celebrados. Las variables contextuales fueron: tipo de competición, continente, resultado del partido, ranking FIFA del equipo y ranking FIFA del rival. Únicamente se han encontrado diferencias significativas en las variables continente (F=3,861;p=0,005) y resultado del partido en interacción con tipo de competición (F=3,999;p=0,029). Los resultados de este trabajo permiten aumentar el conocimiento referente a la influencia de las diferentes variables contextuales en la intensidad de desplazamiento de los equipos mientras disputan un partido de competición y, en consecuencia, gestionar la importancia de estos requerimientos energéticos con relación a la evaluación del rendimiento físicoThe aim of this study was to determine whether there is any influence from different contextual variables on the physical performance of the teams during the South African World Cup 2010. The physical performances of 128 teams were studied, measured by distance travelled in meters per minute (m∙min-1), during the 64 matches played in South Africa 2010. The contextual variables were: type of competition, continent, match score, FIFA team ranking, and FIFA opponent ranking. Significant differences were found only in the continent variable (F=3.86,p=0.005) and match score in interaction with type of competition (F=3.999,p=0.029). The results of this study provide increasing knowledge concerning the influence of contextual variables on the physical demands on teams during a competition match and, therefore, will help to manage the importance of these energy requirements in relation to physical performanc

Influence of varied pitch shape on soccer players physiological responses and time-motion characteristics during small-sided games.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pitch shape modifications on heart rate responses and time-motion characteristics in soccer players during 5-a-side small-sided games (SSGs). Players completed four different SSG dimensions: (1) short narrow pitch (SN; 40 × 25 m), (2) short wide pitch (SW; 66 × 25 m), (3) long narrow pitch (LN; 40 × 50 m), and (4) long wide pitch (LW; 66 × 50 m). Twenty amateur soccer players (age: 21 ± 5 yr; stature: 176.8 ± 1.9 cm; body mass: 72.7 ± 3.7 kg) were monitored using a heart rate monitor and a 10 Hz GPS device. Mean maximum heart rate (%HRmax), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), peak running speed, total distance covered (TD), distance covered in four speed categories, number of moderate and high accelerations (Ac), decelerations (Dc), changes of direction (COD) and player load were recorded. Increasing the pitch length had a greater effect compared to increasing the pitch width especially on RPE (3.8, 6.3, 4.9 and 6.6 AU to SN, LN, SW and LW, respectively) and time-motion characteristics such as TD (101, 127, 108 and 131 m·min-1 to SN, LN, SW and LW, respectively), peak speed (4.8, 6.1, 5.2 and 6.2 m·s-1 to SN, LN, SW and LW, respectively), and the number of accelerations, decelerations, and changes of direction. The data demonstrates that increasing the length rather than the width of 5-a-side SSG has a greater impact on players’ responses in terms of increasing workloads

Accumulative weekly load in a professional football team: with special reference to match playing time and game position

The aim of this study was to compare weekly accumulative load during the in-season competitive period by professional soccer players according to the amount of time played in official matches (90-min, >60-min, 19.8 km·h-1), sprint meters (SPR; >25.2 km·h-1), high metabolic load distance (HMLD; >25.5 W·kg-1), number of accelerations (ACC; >3 m·s-2) and decelerations (DEC; 60-min vs. <60-min and 0-min), HSR (90-min vs. <60-min and 0-min) and SPR (90-min vs. <60-min and 0-min). In addition, less positional variation was observed in relation to the competition requirements. This information would allow coaches to refine the required load with the objective of optimizing performance to soccer players

The Quantification of a Professional Football Teams External Load Using a Microcycle Structure

The aims of this study were to (1) determine the external load of a football team across playing position and relative to competition for a structured microcycle and (2) examine the loading and variation the day after competition for players with or without game time. Training and match data were obtained from twenty-four professional football players who belonging to the reserve squad of a Spanish La Liga Club during the 2015/16 season using global positioning technology (n=37 matches and n=42 training weeks). Training load data were analyzed with respect to the number of days before or after a match (MD minus or plus). Training load metrics declined as competition approached (MD-4>MD-3>MD-2>MD-1; pMD+1R; p<0.05; ES: 1.4-1.6). Acceleration and deceleration metrics during training exceeded 50% of that performed in competition for MD+1C (80-86%), MD-4 (71-72%), MD-3 (62-69%) and MD-2 (56-61%). Full backs performed more high-speed running and sprint distance than other positions at MD-3 and MD-4 (p<0.05; ES: 0.8-1.7). The coefficient of variation for weekly training sessions ranged from ~40% for MD-3 and MD-4 to ~80% for MD+1R. The data demonstrate that the external load of a structured microcycle varied substantially based on the players training day and position. This information could be useful for applied sports scientists when trying to systematically manage load, particularly compensatory conditioning for players without game time

Variations of training load, monotony, and strain and dose-response relationships with maximal aerobic speed, maximal oxygen uptake, and isokinetic strength in professional soccer players

This study aimed to identify variations in weekly training load, training monotony, and training strain across a 10-week period (during both, pre- and in-season phases); and to analyze the dose-response relationships between training markers and maximal aerobic speed (MAS), maximal oxygen uptake, and isokinetic strength. Twenty-seven professional soccer players (24.9±3.5 years old) were monitored across the 10-week period using global positioning system units. Players were also tested for maximal aerobic speed, maximal oxygen uptake, and isokinetic strength before and after 10 weeks of training. Large positive correlations were found between sum of training load and extension peak torque in the right lower limb (r = 0.57, 90%CI[0.15;0.82]) and the ratio agonist/antagonist in the right lower limb (r = 0.51, [0.06;0.78]). It was observed that loading measures fluctuated across the period of the study and that the load was meaningfully associated with changes in the fitness status of players. However, those magnitudes of correlations were small-to-large, suggesting that variations in fitness level cannot be exclusively explained by the accumulated load and loading profile

Influence of contextual variables on styles of play in soccer

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of match status, venue, and quality of opposition on the styles of play in soccer. Data were collected from 380 games of the English Premier League from the 2015–2016 season. Linear mixed models were applied to evaluate the influence of these contextual variables on membership scores for Direct Play, Counterattack, Maintenance, Build Up, Sustained Threat, Fast Tempo, Crossing, and High Pressure. The results showed that match status had a significant effect on the eight styles of play (all P < 0.001), venue had a significant effect on all styles of play (P < 0.01) except Counterattack and Maintenance, and quality of opposition had a significant effect on all styles of play (P < 0.05) except Counterattack. Moreover, the interaction between match status and quality of opposition, and venue and quality of opposition showed significant effects on some styles of play. The results of this study imply that contextual variables influence the use of styles of play in soccer match play. Consequently, this provides meaningful recommendations for practitioners in soccer

Match running performance and physical capacity profiles of U8 and U10 soccer players

Aim This study aimed to characterize match running performance of very young soccer players and evaluate the relationship between these data and physical capacities and technical skills. Methods Distances covered at different speed thresholds were measured during 31 official matches using GPS technology in U10 (n = 12; age 10.1 ± 0.1 years) and U8 (n = 15; age 7.9 ± 0.1 years) national soccer players. Counter movement jump performance (CMJ), 20 m shuttle running (20 m-SR), linear sprint performance (10, 20, 30 m), shuttle (SHDT) and slalom dribble tests (SLDT) were performed to determine the players physical capacities and technical skills. Results Physical capacities and technical skills were higher in U10 versus U8 players [P 0.05, ES: 0.74). The U10 players covered more total (TD) and high-intensity running distance (HIRD) than their younger counterparts did (P 0.05, ES: 0.99). TD and HIRD covered across the three 15 min periods of match play did not decline (P > 0.05, ES: 0.02–0.55). Very large magnitude correlations were observed between the U8 and U10 players performances during the 20 m-SR versus TD (r = 0.79; P < 0.01) and HIRD (r = 0.82; P < 0.01) covered during match play. Conclusions Data demonstrate differences in match running performance and physical capacity between U8 and U10 players, and large magnitude relationships between match play measures and physical test performances. These findings could be useful to sports science staff working within the academies

Mismos jugadores con diferentes entrenadores, ¿se puede jugar de manera diferente para optimizar el rendimiento en el fútbol profesional?

This study analysed the performance of one team and its rivals in three different periods throughout the same season, 2013-14. The 42 matches played by the reference team (EQU) and its rivals (RIV) in the Second Division Spanish Football League (Liga Adelante) were analysed. Different performance indicators (IR) were used: of result (IRr), victories, points and goals; and of procedure (IRp), in order to assess the offensive phases of creation, progression and finishing, physical performance and collective use of space. The results showed that both in IRr and in IRp there were differences between the three periods (E1, E2 and E3) where three different trainers were in charge of the team. On the one hand, the distribution of goals and points was not homogeneous in the three analysed periods: in E1 there were more goals in favour but also against, which meant that an average of one point per match was obtained; in E2 there was a drop in the number of goals in favour together with an improvement in the defensive aspect in not letting goals through, obtaining 1.1 points per match and; in E3 the scoring aspect returned to the levels of E1 and the defensive aspect improved, giving an average of 1.6 points per match. Regarding the IRp, the main differences were found in the variables which defined the game model (possession time, number of passes, effectiveness of passes, and progression and precision indicators), with higher values in the E1 and E2 periods, except for the progression indicator which was higher in E3. There were not differences in relation to physical performance between the three periods (E1≈E2≈E3), although the strategic planning of 'intensity' in the first halves of the matches varied between them (E2≈E1&gt;E3), as did the width of the team (E1≈E2&gt;E3). The main conclusion from the work was that from the performance indicators differences were detected in the behaviour of the team at the three points in the season, establishing a similarity in the procedure performance or game model between E1 and E2, these being different from E3. Trainers should consider this type of IR to assess their teams and, where appropriate, propose intervention strategies to optimise their performance.En el presente estudio se ha analizado el rendimiento de un mismo equipo y sus rivales en tres periodos distintos en una misma temporada 2013-14. Se analizaron los 42 partidos disputados por el equipo de referencia (EQU) y sus rivales (RIV), de la segunda división española de fútbol (Liga Adelante). Para su valoración se emplearon diferentes indicadores de rendimiento (IR): de resultado (IRr), como victorias, puntos y goles; y de procedimiento (IRp), para valorar las fases de creación, progresión y finalización ofensiva, rendimiento físico y uso colectivo del espacio. Los resultados indicaron que tanto en los IRr como en los IRp existieron diferencias entre los tres periodos (E1, E2 y E3) donde tres entrenadores diferentes estuvieron al cargo del equipo. Por un lado, el reparto de goles y puntos no fue homogéneo en los tres periodos analizados: E1 se caracterizó por un mayor número de goles a favor pero también en contra, que supuso la consecución de una media de un punto por partido; E2 coincidió con un descenso en los goles a favor así como en la mejora de la faceta defensiva de no encajarlos, consiguiéndose 1,1 puntos por partido, y; en E3 la faceta goleadora volvió a los niveles de E1 y la faceta defensiva mejoró, lo que trajo consigo una media de 1,6 puntos por partido. Respecto a los IRp, las principales diferencias se encontraron en las variables que definieron el modelo de juego (tiempo de posesión, número de pases, eficacia de los pases, indicador de progresión e indicador de precisión), con valores superiores en los periodos E1 y E2, excepto para el indicador de progresión, que fue superior en E3. Entre los tres periodos no existieron apenas diferencias en cuanto al rendimiento físico (E1≈E2≈E3), aunque los planteamientos estratégicos de ‘intensidad’ en las primeras partes de los partidos varió entre periodos (E2≈E1&gt;E3), así como en la amplitud del equipo (E1≈E2&gt;E3). La principal conclusión del trabajo fue que a partir de los indicadores de rendimiento se detectaron diferencias en el comportamiento del equipo en los tres momentos de la temporada, constatándose una similitud en los rendimientos de procedimiento o modelo de juego entre E1 y E2, siendo diferente respecto a E3. Los entrenadores deberían considerar este tipo de IR para evaluar a sus equipos y, en su caso, proponer estrategias de intervención para optimizar su rendimiento