Match running performance in young soccer players: a systematic review

Background To date, athletic performance has been extensively assessed in youth soccer players through laboratory and field testing. Only recently has running performance via time–motion analysis been assessed during match play. Match running data are often useful in a practical context to aid game understanding and decision making regarding training content and prescriptions. A plethora of previous reviews have collated and appraised the literature on time–motion analysis in professional senior players, but none have solely examined youth players. Objective The aim of the present systematic review was to provide a critical appraisal and summary of the original research articles that have evaluated match running performance in young male soccer players. Methods Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, literature searches were performed in four databases: PubMed, ISI Web of Science, SPORTDiscus and SciELO. We used the following descriptors: soccer, football, young, youth, junior, physical performance, running performance, match running performance, movement patterns, time–motion analysis, distances covered, activity profile, work rate, match analysis, and match performance. Articles were included only if they were original articles written in the English language, studied populations of male children and/or adolescents (aged ≤ 20 years), were published/ahead of print on or before 31 December 2017 and showed at least one outcome measure regarding match running performance, such as total distance covered, peak game speed or indicators of activities performed at established speed thresholds. Results A total of 5801 records were found. After duplicates were removed and exclusion and inclusion criteria applied, 50 articles were included (n = 2615 participants). Their outcome measures were extracted and findings were synthesized. The majority of the reviewed papers covered the European continent (62%) and used global positioning systems (GPS) (64%). Measurement error of the tools used to obtain position data and running metrics was systematically overlooked among the studies. The main aims of studies were to examine differences across playing positions (20%), age groups (26%) and match halves (36%). Consistent findings pointed to the existence of positional role and age effects on match running output (using fixed running speed thresholds), but there was no clear consensus about reductions in activity over the course of match play. Congested schedules negatively affected players’ running performance. While over 32% of all studies assessed the relationships between match running performance and physical capacity, biochemical markers and body composition, ~ 70% of these did not account for playing position. Conclusions This review collated scientific evidence that can aid soccer conditioning professionals in understanding external match loads across youth categories. Coaches working with youth development programs should consider that data derived from a given population may not be relevant for other populations, since game rules, match format and configuration are essentially unstandardized among studies for age-matched players. Despite limited evidence, periodization training emphasizing technical-tactical content can improve match running performance. Occurrence of acute and residual impairments in the running performance of young soccer players is common. Prescription of postmatch recovery strategies, such as cold water immersion and spa treatment, can potentially help reduce these declines, although additional research is warranted. This review also highlighted areas requiring further investigation, such as the possible influence of environmental and contextual constraints and a more integrative approach combining tactical and technical data

Preliminary results on organization on the court, physical and technical performance of Brazilian professional futsal players: comparison between friendly pre-season and official match

The main aim of this study was to verify possible differences between a friendly pre-season match (FM) and an official in-season match (OM) regarding physical, technical, and organizational performances of a professional Brazilian futsal team. Ten professional futsal athletes participated in this study. The matches were monitored with video cameras (30 Hz) and athlete trajectories obtained with automatic tracking. The values obtained for distance covered per minute, percentage of distance covered at moderate intensity, team coverage area, spread, passes, possessions, ball touches and successful passes per minute were greater for the OM than FM. On the contrary, percentage of distance covered, standing and walking was greater for the FM than OM. We concluded that physical, technical, and tactical performances are different between a FM and an OM in futsal and also these parameters mutually influenced each other distinctly. Future studies should verify whether pre-season tournaments reproduce similar demands to a regular season official match

Physiology Responses and Players' Stay on the Court During a Futsal Match: A Case Study With Professional Players

Physiological responses in futsal have not been studied together with temporal information about the players' stay on the court. The aim of this study was to compare heart rate (HR) and blood lactate concentration ([La-]) responses between 1-H and 2-H considering the time of permanency of the players on the court at each substitution in a futsal match. HR was recorded during entire match and [La-] was analyzed after each substitution of seven players. %HRmean (89.61 ± 2.31 vs. 88.03 ± 4.98 %HRmax) and [La-] mean (8.46 ± 3.01 vs. 8.17 ± 2.91 mmol·L-1) did not differ between 1-H and 2-H (ES, trivial-small). Time in intensity zones of 50-100 %HRmax differed only in 60-70 %HRmax (ES, moderate). HR coefficient of variation throughout the match was low (7%) and among the four outfield players on the court (quartets, 5%). Substitutions (2 player's participation in each half), time of permanence on the court (7.15 ± 2.39 vs. 9.49 ± 3.80 min), ratio between time in- and out-ratio on the court (In:Outcourt = 1:1.30 ± 1:0.48 vs. 1:1.05 ± 1:0.55 min) also were similar between 1-H and 2-H (ES, moderate and small, respectively). Balancing the number of substitutions, and the In:Outcourt ratio of players in both halves of the match, playing lower time at 1-H, ~8 min for each participation in the match, made it possible to maintain intensity of the match in 2-H similar to the 1H. These results are a good guidance to coaches and for application in future studies

Velocidade da bola no chute no futsal: comparação entre garotos com diferentes níveis de desempenho e correlação de variáveis preditoras do desempenho

The aim of this study was to compare and verify the possible correlations between ball velocity with foot velocity, knee angle and length of last stride between practitioners and non-practitioners of futsal game. Fourteen young males with aged between 13 and 15 years old divided into two groups: practitioners (G1) and non-practitioners (G2), according with the time of futsal structured practice. For the kinematic analysis we had used two cameras at a sampling frequency of 120 Hz, fixed laterally to the movement performed in order to focus the markers in the limb of kick. Each participant has performed ten kicks simulating a kick of ten meters in futsal. Three-dimensional data of the lower limb of kick were obtained in DVIDEOW software and treated in Matlab environment in order to obtain the variables of interest: ball velocity (VELBALL), foot velocity (VELFOOT), knee angle (ANGKNEE) and length of last stride (LLS). Statistically all data displayed higher levels in G1 compared to G2. In addition, no significant differences were found between trials in each group (p < 0.05). In G1 a multiple regression analysis revealed only influence on VELBALL 17% caused by LLS. Moreover, in G2 any variable have influenced VELBALL. However, we conclude that the variables are different between practitioners and non-practitioners of futsal game with aged between 13 and 15 years old, and the variable VELBALL could be little influenced by the LLS in this age band. Thus, we suggested that coaches maintain focus on development and monitoring this characteristic of movement, especially in novices, in order to identify players with different levels of performance of kicking in a futsal context.O estudo objetivou comparar e verificar as possíveis correlações entre a velocidade da bola com a velocidade do pé, ângulo relativo do joelho e comprimento do último passo durante o chute entre garotos Praticantes e Não Praticantes do futsal. Participaram do estudo 14 garotos com idade entre 13 e 15 anos divididos em dois grupos, Praticantes (G1) e Não Praticantes (G2) de acordo com seu tempo de prática estruturada semanal na modalidade. Para a análise cinemática duas câmeras ajustadas a uma frequência de 120 Hz, foram fixadas lateralmente ao movimento realizado e focalizando os marcadores fixados no membro inferior do chute. Cada participante executou 10 chutes simulando uma cobrança de tiro livre no futsal. Os dados tridimensionais do membro inferior de chute foram obtidos pelo "software" DVIDEOW e tratados em ambiente Matlab, para obtenção das variáveis cinemáticas de interesse: velocidade da bola (VELBOLA), velocidade do pé (VELPÉ), ângulo de joelho (ANGJOELHO) e comprimento do último passo (CP). Todas as variáveis exibiram índices estatisticamente maiores em G1 se comparado a G2 e, além disso, não foram encontradas diferenças intertentativas na tarefa (p < 0,05). No G1 uma análise de regressão múltipla somente revelou influência na VELBOLA em 17% causada pelo CP. Além disso, no G2 nenhuma variável influenciou na VELBOLA. Pode-se concluir que as variáveis estudadas são diferentes entre praticantes e não praticantes de futsal com idade entre 13 - 15, e que a VELBOLA pode ser ligeiramente influenciada pelo CP nesta faixa etária. Recomenda-se que treinadores monitorem periodicamente o desenvolvimento desta característica do movimento, principalmente em jogadores novatos, como forma de identificar jogadores com diferentes níveis de desempenho no chute em um contexto de futsal

Jogar como visitante ou estar perdendo a partida aumenta o pico de demanda física em jogadores profissionais brasileiros de futebol

Introdução: A identificação do pico de demanda física ou “caso do pior cenário” tem se tornado uma prática comum na ciência do esporte aplicada a análise de jogo no futebol. Objetivo: investigar os efeitos do mando de jogo, nível competitivo e resultado momentâneo sobre o pico de demanda física em jogos do Campeonato Catarinense e Copa do Brasil de 2021. Materiais e métodos: os dados de desempenho da corrida em jogo foram monitorados em 22 jogadores profissionais de futebol da categoria masculina durante duas competições: 1ª Divisão do Campeonato Catarinense de 2021, 1ª e 2ª Fase da Copa do Brasil de 2021. Resultados: os jogos realizados fora de casa apresentaram maior pico de distância total percorrida em comparação aos jogos em casa (p0,05). Nas análises dos resultados momentâneos, verificou-se que quando a equipe analisada estava ganhando a partida, os resultados de pico de distância total percorrida foram menores em comparação a quando a equipe estava perdendo e empatando. Conclusão: partidas fora de casa e resultado momentâneo de derrota, promovem maiores exigências físicas aos jogadores. Os treinadores, portanto, podem usar essas informações para prescrever sessões de treinamento mais eficazes que contemplem as exigências reais do jogo

Kinematics parameters in young soccer players: analysis of the kicking performance in experimental context, running, team dynamics and skill-related performances during official matches

A presente dissertação é composta por três manuscritos originais. O objetivo do estudo (1) foi comparar o desempenho no chute em jogadores de futebol treinados sub-9 até sub-20. Jovens jogadores brasileiros (N = 366) foram avaliados por cinemática 3-D (300 Hz) a fim de mensurar a velocidade da bola, velocidade do pé, razão velocidade bola/pé, comprimento do último passo e distância entre pé de suporte e bola. Um procedimento 2-D (60 Hz) foi conduzido para calcular a acurácia dos chutes. A velocidade da bola aumentou em 103% do sub-11 (48,54±8,31 km/h) até sub-20 (98,74±16,35 km/h). Em contraste a velocidade do pé exibiu aumento de 59% do sub-11 (49,08±5,16 km/h) até sub-20 (78,24±9,49 km/h). Isso foi em decorrência da melhora na qualidade de impacto pé-bola (razão velocidade da bola/pé: sub-11: 0,99±0,13; sub-20: 1,26±0,11 u.a.) (p sub-13 > sub-11), velocidade máxima (PRO > sub-17 > sub-15, sub-13, sub-11) e percentual de atividades em alta intensidade (sub-20 > PRO, sub-17 > sub-15 > sub-13 > sub-11) exibem ganhos contínuos. Frequências medianas foram maiores nos mais jovens (sub-13, sub-15, sub- 17 > sub-20, PRO), enquanto o percentual de passes completados foi maior nos mais velhos (PRO > sub-17, sub-15 > sub-13, sub-11). Conclui-se que os grupos de idade sub-11 até profissional apresentam diferentes perfis de desempenho de corrida, distribuição dos jogadores em campo, dinâmica de movimentos coletivos e habilidades técnicas, e que o desenvolvimento desses componentes é diferenciado. Treinadores devem estar cientes dos valores de referência apresentados, para selecionar os conteúdos de treino como a intensidade e o volume, específicos para cada grupo de idade.This master degree thesis is composed by three original manuscripts. The study 1 aimed to compare the kicking performance in trained soccer players aged U9 to U20. Brazilian young players (N = 366) were evaluated by 3-D kinematics (300 Hz) in order to assess ball speed, foot speed, ratio ball/foot speeds, last stride length and distance between support foot and ball. Two-dimensional procedure (60 Hz) was applied to calculate kicking accuracy. Ball speed increases 103% from U11 (48.54±8.31 km/h) to U20 (98.74±16.35 km/h). In contrast, foot speed exhibited increases of 59% from U11 (49.08±5.16 km/h) o U20 (78.24±9.49 km/h). This is achieved due the improvement on the quality of foot-ball impact (ratio ball/foot speeds U11: 0.99±0.13; U20: 1.26±0.11 a.u.) (p U13 > U11), maximal sprinting speed (PRO > U17 > U15, U13, U11) and percentage of very high-intensity activities (U20 > PRO, U17 > U15 > U13 > U11) exhibit improvements continuously with the age. Median frequencies were greater in younger (U13, U15, U17 > U20, PRO), while successful passes percentage were greater in older (PRO > U17, U15 > U13, U11). In conclusion, U11 to professional age-groups have different activity profiles (running, tactical and skill-related), and the development of these components are not equal. Coaches should be aware of the reference values presented in order to select training content into a periodization similar to a real competition match (e.g. volume and intensity) specific for each age-group