Repeated high-speed running in elite female soccer players during international competition

The purpose of the present study was to provide a detailed analysis of the repeated high-speed demands of competitive international female soccer match-play. A total of 148 individual match observations were undertaken on 107 outfield players in competitive international matches during the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons, using a computerized tracking system (STATS, Leeds, England). High-speed activity was classified as either sprint activity (SA) or high-speed running (HSR), with thresholds of >25.1 km.h-1 or >19.8 km.h-1 applied respectively. Repeated sprint activity (RSA) was defined as a minimum of two sprints with 20 s or less recovery between sprints and repeated high-speed activity (RHSA) was defined as a minimum of two high-speed runs or sprints with 20 s or less recovery between efforts. HSR bouts occurred ~5 times more frequently than SA bouts. Central defenders completed 50-80 fewer HSR bouts (moderate count ratio (CR): range 0.61-0.70) and 10-20 fewer SA bouts (moderate CR: range 0.53-0.69) than all other playing positions. RSA bouts occurred less frequently than RHSA bouts (33 ± 10 v 1.1 ± 1.1) with 37 % of players failing to complete any RSA bouts. Central defenders completed fewer RHSA bouts compared to all other playing positions (moderate CR: range 0.57-0.69). Consideration of both RHSA and RSA bouts is necessary to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the demands of female match-play. Practitioners can utilise this information to construct position-specific training and testing programmes which are aligned to the RHSA demands of match-play for elite female players

Performance Considerations in Women’s Football

The amount of research conducted on female football players, compared to male players, is sparce. Even though research on female football players has increased the past decade, there is still a lack of studies of how psychological factors affect their performance. The objective of the current systematic review was therefore to summarize existing quantitative research into the relationship between psychological factors and performance in women's football. Literature was sourced from MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, and PsychInfo. Two independent reviewers applied the selection criteria and assessed the quality of the studies. A total of 14 studies met the inclusion criteria. The total number of participants was 1449, and 15 psychological factors were examined in relation to football performance. The results revealed a tendency for higher leveled players to score higher on psychological factors like mental toughness, conscientiousness, and executive functions. They also had lower levels of anxiety. Enjoyment and a perceived mastery climate were related to increased levels of performance and perceived competence. Mood was unrelated to performance. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed

A systematic review of match-play characteristics in women's soccer

This review aimed to (1) systematically review the scientific literature evaluating the match-play characteristics of women’s soccer, (2) determine the methods adopted to quantify match-play characteristics of women’s soccer, and (3) present the physical, technical and tactical characteristics of women’s soccer match-play across age-groups, playing standards and playing positions. A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted in May 2021; keywords relating to the population, soccer and match-play characteristics were used. Studies which quantified physical, technical or tactical performance of women’s soccer players during match-play were included. Excluded studies included adapted match-play formats and training studies. Sixty-nine studies met the eligibility criteria. Studies predominantly quantified match-play characteristics of senior international (n=27) and domestic (n=30) women’s soccer match-play, with only seven studies reporting youth match-play characteristics. Physical (n=47), technical (n=26) and tactical characteristics (n=2) were reported as whole-match (n=65), half-match (n=21), segmental (n=17) or peak (n=8) characteristics. Beyond age-groups, playing standard, and playing position, fourteen studies quantified the impact of contextual factors, such as environment or match outcome, on match-play characteristics. Distance was the most commonly reported variable (n=43), as outfield women’s soccer players covered a total distance of 5480-11160 m during match-play. This systematic review highlights that physical match-performance increases between age-groups and playing standards, and differs between playing positions. However, further research is warranted to understand potential differences in technical and tactical match-performance. Coaches and practitioners can use the evidence presented within this review to inform population-specific practices, however, they should be mindful of important methodological limitations within the literature (e.g. inconsistent velocity and acceleration/deceleration thresholds). Future research should attempt to integrate physical, technical and tactical characteristics as opposed to quantifying characteristics in isolation, to gain a deeper and more holistic insight into match-performance

Peak physical demands of elite women’s soccer: assessing playing position and post-goal locomotor patterns

It has recently been identified that the assessment of peak periods of activity better considers the stochastic nature of match-play and the influence that contextual factors have on these peak periods. Limited research exists attempting to link the tactical and physical aspects of performance, especially in female players. Therefore, the current study aimed to assess post-goal locomotor patterns and positional differences on peak match demands in elite female soccer players. Using 10Hz global positioning system units, a total of 133 player match observations were recorded from 14 matches played by an elite Scottish women’s professional soccer team (SWPL1). Total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (>18 km.h-1) (HSRD) and PlayerLoadTM (PL) were assessed for 1, 3 and 5-minute peak periods using a rolling epoch approach. Playing position and post-goal activity were used as modulating factors. Linear mixed models established a main effect for playing position for HSRD at peak 1-minute (p<0.001), 3-minute (p<0.001) and 5-minute (p<0.001) epochs. There were also main effects for playing position for TD at peak 1-minute (p=0.001) and PL at peak-3minute (p=0.002). Team level data showed a main effect for condition (score vs. concede) for 3-minute TD data and main effects for time (pre vs. post) for 1,3 and 5-minute epochs for PL data. Average and peak values were shown to differ across playing positions for all variables. Likewise, potentially indicative of tactical adjustments, significant differences were observed at both a team and player level following scoring or conceding a goal

Applied physiology of female soccer: an update

The popularity and professionalism of female soccer has increased markedly in recent years, with elite players now employed on either a professional or semiprofessional basis. The previous review of the physiological demands of female soccer was undertaken two decades ago when the sport was in its relative infancy. Increased research coupled with greater training and competition demands warrants an updated review to consider the effect on physical performance and injury patterns. The physical demands of match-play along with the influence of factors such as the standard of competition, playing position and fatigue have been explored. Total distance covered for elite female players is approximately 10 km, with 1.7 km completed at high-speed (>18 km·h-1). Elite players complete 28 % more high-speed running and 24 % more sprinting than moderate-level players. Decrements in highspeed running distance have been reported between and within halves, which may indicate an inability to maintain high-intensity activity. Although the physical capacity of female players is the most thoroughly researched area, comparisons are difficult due to differing protocols. Elite players exhibit maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) values of 49.4–57.6 mL·kg-1·min-1, Yo Yo Intermittent Endurance test level 2 (YYIE2) scores of 1,774 ± 532 m [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] and 20 m sprint times of 3.17 ± 0.03 s (mean ± SD). Reasons for the increased prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in females (2–6 times greater than males) are discussed, with anatomical, biomechanical loading and neuromuscular activation differences being cited in the literature. This review presents an in-depth contemporary examination of the applied physiology of the female soccer player

Influence of match status and possession status on the physical and technical characteristics of elite youth female soccer match-play

This study compared the influence of match status (drawing, losing, or winning) and possession status (in-possession, out-of-possession, or ball-out-of-play) on the physical and technical characteristics of U14 and U16 elite youth female soccer match-play. Data were collected from 189 female academy players during 45 competitive matches, resulting in 387 match observations. Linear mixed models estimated relative; total distance, high-speed running (≥3.00 m·s-1), very high-speed running (≥4.83 m·s-1), and sprinting (≥5.76 m·s-1) distance according to match status and possession status, and 21 technical variables according to match status. Differences in physical and technical characteristics were observed between and within age-groups, dependent upon match status and possession status. Regardless of match status, both age-groups covered greater distances when the ball was in-play compared to ball-out-of-play (107-130 vs 58-68 m·min-1). U16s covered greater distances when out-of-possession than in-possession, regardless of match status. Whilst U14s covered greater distances out-of-possession when drawing or losing only. Differences in physical and technical characteristics when drawing, losing, or winning, suggest a change in playing style according to match status, likely in an attempt to influence or maintain the score-line. These findings have practical implications for coaching, talent identification and development practices within youth female soccer

Determining age-specific velocity thresholds for elite youth female soccer players

Purpose: This study aimed to establish age-specific velocity thresholds for Under (U)14 and U16 elite youth female soccer players. Methods: Data was collected using 10 Hz GPS units during 50 matches from 187 players (U14 n = 89; U16 n = 98). Spectral clustering identified velocity thresholds for high-speed running (HSR), very high-speed running (VHSR), and sprinting (SPR), for 699 half-match observations (U14 n = 369; U16 n = 330). Linear mixed modelling determined youth (U14 and U16) and age-group (U14 or U16) velocity thresholds, and compared distances covered between these and existing senior thresholds. The effect of playing position and playing half on velocity thresholds was also quantified. Results: Youth velocity thresholds of HSR (≥3.00 m·s⁻¹), VHSR (≥4.83 m·s⁻¹), and SPR (≥5.76 m·s⁻¹) were estimated from the model. Age-group and playing position influenced velocity thresholds but playing half did not. Adoption of youth and age-group velocity thresholds resulted in greater distance covered at HSR, VHSR, and SPR (p < 0.001; moderate-large effect size [ES] = 0.86–1.97) compared to senior thresholds. Both age-groups covered similar distances (trivial-small ESs = 0.002–0.23) when adopting youth and age-group velocity thresholds. Conclusion: These youth thresholds provide an alternative to arbitrary velocity thresholds within the literature, and thresholds derived from senior players or other populations, to inform appropriate quantification and interpretation of physical data within this population

Men Are from Quartile One, Women Are from? Relative Age Effect in European Soccer and the Influence of Age, Success, and Playing Status

The relative age effect (RAE) is characterised by an overrepresentation of athletes born earlier in the selection year. Whilst an RAE is consistently evident in male soccer, examinations in female players remain limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of sex, as well as age, success, and playing status in European soccer players. The sample consisted of a total of 6546 soccer players from 55 soccer nations that competed in recent European Championship qualification campaigns. Results indicated an evident RAE in male [p = 0.017] but not female [p = 0.765] players. Male players were over-represented by players born in the first quartile for the U17 [p < 0.001] and U19 [p = 0.001] levels, however, this over-representation did not transfer to senior levels. No RAE was observed at any level for female players. Inside each age group, a slight selection bias towards those born in the first quartile for successful squads was observed but did not significantly differentiate between qualification status for either male or female players. Results from this study highlight the disparity in RAE prevalence between male and female players and raise further questions regarding the value of selecting relatively older players to metrics of success, transition, and selection for senior international soccer

Testing the validity of a 360-degree soccer video simulation for analysing visual exploratory activity in women’s soccer

360-degree videos presented in head-mounted displays (HMD) offer new potential for aiding our understanding of how female soccer players visually explore their environment. Study aims were twofold: (i) To assess the construct and face validity of a 360° video simulation for capturing visual exploratory activity in women’s soccer and (ii) to understand players’ perceptions of acceptability and tolerability of a 360° video simulation in women’s soccer. Eleven sub-elite female soccer players (M age = 21.7 years, SD = 5.03) and eleven novices (M age = 19.9 years, SD = 2.07) participated in the study. Match footage was recorded using a Go-Pro 360 max camera positioned on top of a stationary tripod at eye height located in six different locations on a soccer pitch. Participants were shown 40 soccer testing videos (twenty 9v9 videos and twenty 7v7 videos) presented in a HMD with the majority of videos terminating with the participant receiving a pass from a teammate. Upon receiving the pass, participants were required to immediately verbalise an action response as to how they would continue play. Participants completed an adapted presence questionnaire and answered open ended questions on their perceptions of the acceptability, physical fidelity and tolerability of the task. No participants reported any feelings of motion sickness from the 360-degree video task and all soccer players reported they would be interested in using the videos for training. Soccer players reported high levels of realism, possibility to examine and self-evaluation of performance. 360-video offers researchers alternative, low cost solutions for visual based soccer tasks

A valid and reliable test of technical skill for vision impaired football

The International Paralympic Committee requires international federations to develop and implement sport-specific classification guidelines based on scientific evidence. As a result of these requirements, new evidence-based criteria are required in football for athletes with vision impairment (VI). Performance tests are key to the development of a new classification system. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a valid and reliable test of technical performance for VI football. To assure content and face validity, the Vision Impaired Football Skills (VIFS) test was based on recommendations from experienced players and coaches. To test construct validity, we compared 24 sighted football players that were split into two groups based on highest-level of performance achieved but matched on experience. To test reliability all players completed the VIFS three times on two separate days. Results supported construct validity through detecting significant differences in performance times between the two groups (p = .004, g = 1.28 95% CI = 0.41 - 2.15). The small bias between visits (.54s ± 2.93s; 95% LoA = -5.21– 6.29) and intraclass correlations (.81, 95% CI = .56 - .92) showed between-day agreement and reliability. Within-day reliability was good when participants had completed a familiarisation trial. Results support the suitability for the use of the VIFS test for classification research. Future work should establish feasibility for players with a VI