Abstract
The aim of the present study was to firstly, quantify the external training load (TL) of semi-professional soccer players during an annual season and secondly, to examine the influence of one (1MW) and two (2MW) match weekly microcycles. Data were collected from 24 semi-professional outfield soccer players during the 2018-2019 annual season using micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices for the following variables: Training duration (min), total distance (TD), Player Load (PL), high speed running (HSR) distance (5.5-7.0 m/s), and acceleration (ACC) efforts (>2 m/s2). Training sessions were defined as days before match day (i.e. MD minus), with match weeks broken down as either 1MW or 2MW. Data revealed higher TD, PL, and HSR distance on MD and MD-5 when compared to all other MD codes. MD-4 displayed significantly higher values compared to MD-1 (mean differences (M diff): TD: 785 ± 158 m; PL: 29 ± 9 au; HSR: 192 ± 63 m; ACC: 15 ± 3 #) and MD-2 (M diff: TD: 279 ± 137 m; HSR: 127 ± 54 m). During 2MW scenarios, both TD (M diff: 685 ± 328 m) and PL (M diff: 33 ± 14 au) were higher on MD-1 when compared to 1MW. However, lower values were observed for duration and HSR on MD-2 and MD-4 during 2MW compared to 1MW scenarios.These data suggest that there appears to be a progressive reduction in TD, PL, HSR and ACC leading into competitive matches based on MD- analysis. However, some variability exists in TL prescription as a result of different MW scenarios (i.e. 1MW vs. 2MW).
Highlights
Soccer is a high-intensity field-based invasion sport involving unstructured movement patterns which tax both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems significantly.[1]
Our data suggests that there is a progressive reduction in total distance (TD), Player Load (PL), high speed running (HSR) and ACC in the lead up to competitive matches
When faced with congested fixture scheduling (i.e. 2MW), training load (TL) was kept similar (MD-2: HSR and Duration) or higher (MD-1: TD and PL) compared with a 1MW scenario. This may be due to coaches attempting to condense match preparation into a shorter time frame when leading into competitive matches
Summary
Soccer is a high-intensity field-based invasion sport involving unstructured movement patterns which tax both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems significantly.[1]. The monitoring of training load (TL) is common practice across the different levels of soccer in order to closely monitor the load that player’s undertake for different training sessions and matches.[5] This approach allows coaches to plan, manipulate and evaluate a team’s training to optimize performance, with the assumption that a combination of training stimuli and sufficient recovery will improve adaptation to training and increase physical fitness.[6] inappropriate training stimuli or too little recovery may result in an increased risk of injury/illness and reduction in physical preparation.[7] TL consists of both external and internal TL, with external TL referring to the physical work undertaken during exercise and internal TL being associated with the stress response to the work stimulus.[5] In soccer, external TL is typically measured in training and matches through either MEMS devices or optical-camera tracking systems, using metrics such as distances covered and relative intensity of different movements.[8] Internal TL is often quantified using heart rate (HR) telemetry and rating of perceived exertion (RPE).[8] the limited sensitivity of HR to detect sudden movement changes during intermittent exercise[9] and subjective nature of RPE monitoring may limit its appropriateness within soccer to monitor TL.[10] In addition, the aforementioned budget restraints in semi-professional teams limits the number of technological products that practitioners are able to afford (e.g. HR belts) and often have to choose the monitoring system that provides the most relevant data for their players
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