Directional Change Mediates the Physiological Response to High-Intensity Shuttle Running in Professional Soccer Players.

Barry Drust,Andrew O'Boyle,Conall Murtagh,Oliver Morgan,Giles Warrington,Remy Tang,Darren Burgess,Tim Cable,Ryland Morgans

doi:10.3390/sports6020039

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence that different frequencies of deceleration and acceleration actions had on the physiological demands in professional soccer players. Thirteen players were monitored via microelectromechanical devices during shuttle running protocols which involved one, three, or seven 180 degree directional changes. Heart rate exertion (HRE) (1.1 ± 0.7) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) (5 ± 1) were significantly higher for the protocol which included seven directional changes when compared to the protocols which included one (HRE 0.5 ± 0.3, ES = 1.1, RPE 3 ± 0, ES = 2.7) or three (HRE 0.5 ± 0.2, ES = 1.1, RPE 3 ± 1, ES = 1.9) directional changes (p < 0.05). The gravitational force (g-force) as measured through accelerometry (ACC) also showed a similar trend when comparing the seven (8628.2 ± 1630.4 g) to the one (5888.6 ± 1159.1 g, ES = 1.9) or three (6526.9 ± 1257.6 g, ES = 1.4) directional change protocols (p < 0.05). The results of this study suggest that increasing the frequency of decelerations and accelerations at a high intensity running (HIR) speed alters the movement demands and elevates the physiological responses in professional players. This data has implications for the monitoring of physical performance and implementation of training drills.

Highlights

Soccer is a demanding sport with physical performance decreasing after intense spells of activity and during the latter stages of a 90-min game [1,2]
The current study represents a first attempt to show that frequent directional changes The current represents a first attempt show thatthe frequent directional changes performed at a high intensity running (HIR) to speed alters and performed at a speed alters the and increases the cardiovascular and perceived exertion in professional soccer players
The current study represents a first attempt to show that frequent directional changes performed at a HIR speed alters the “movement demands” and increases the cardiovascular and perceived exertion in professional soccer players

Summary

Introduction

Soccer is a demanding sport with physical performance decreasing after intense spells of activity and during the latter stages of a 90-min game [1,2]. The use of HIR as the sole marker of physical performance may be limited. At a professional level, players cover an average HIR distance of 1151 m during a game which equates to approximately 10.6% of the total distance [4]. This relatively low percentage of HIR distance suggests that other factors, such as various game-specific movements, should be considered when attempting to quantify physical performance in soccer.

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion