High-intensity Actions in Elite Soccer: Current Status and Future Perspectives.

In this study, the influence of physical efforts on occurrence of match injury in a professional soccer club was investigated. Computerised motion-analysis was used to measure the physical efforts of players during 10 injury situations. Total distance and those covered at different movement intensities were measured across the 5-min period preceding injury. If the final run preceding injury involved a high-intensity action (HIA), the distance, duration and speed of the effort and the recovery time between this and the penultimate HIA were measured. To determine the influence of these physical efforts, the results were compared to a normative profile for players computed from data across 5 games for the same variables; habitual distances covered over a 5-min period and characteristics of and recovery time between HIA. Compared to the normative profile, no differences were reported in physical characteristics during the period leading up to injury or for HIA although the latter were substantially higher in intensity (duration and distance). A lower than normal recovery time between HIA prior to injury was observed (35.6+/-16.8 s vs. 98.8+/-17.5 s, p=0.003). Within the limitations of the small sample, these findings may aid in further understanding injury and physical performance in elite soccer.

BackgroundField test performance is a key indicator of soccer match performance, offering insights into aerobic and anaerobic capacities. This study investigated the relationship between field test performance and match performance in young soccer players.MethodsThirty-eight elite male soccer players (mean ± SD: age 17.1 ± 1.01 years; height 177.17 ± 5.38 cm; body mass 71.18 ± 5.60 kg) participated in the study. Aerobic endurance was evaluated using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 test (YIRT1), the 30–15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT), and the Circular Field Test (FTcir). Anaerobic capacity was assessed through the Repeated Sprint Test and the 40 m Maximal Running Speed Test (MRS40). Match performance was determined using GPS data, with metrics including total distance covered and distances in different speed zones: walking (0–6.9 km.h−1), low-intensity running (7–12.9 km.h−1), moderate-intensity running (13–17.9 km.h−1), very high-intensity running (18–20.9 km.h−1), sprinting (≥ 21 km.h−1), and high-intensity actions (≥ 13 km.h−1).ResultsSignificant positive correlations were observed between YIRT1 results and total match distance (r = .524–.546, p < 0.01), as well as high-intensity actions (r = .490–.518, p < 0.01). The 30-15IFT showed moderately positive correlations with total distance (r = .401, p < 0.05) and high-intensity actions (r = .455, p < 0.01). Anaerobic Threshold Running Speed (AnERS) demonstrated a weak to moderate relationship with low-intensity running (r = -.397 to .312, p < 0.05).ConclusionsIn conclusion, among the tests examined, YIRT1 emerged as the most consistent predictor of match-related running performance. While the 30–15IFT showed a moderate correlation, the relationship with anaerobic tests was limited. These findings highlight the usefulness of YIRT1 in assessing match performance but also reveal that no single test fully reflects the complexity of match performance.

Soccer is an intermittent sport where high-intensity actions such as sprints, jumps, and change of direction (COD) can become determining factors of success. Strength and speed are essential physical qualities related to an athlete's COD ability. The influence of strength and speed training on COD performance has been examined in various sports. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a combined strength and speed training program on COD performance in high-performance junior soccer players. The study was a randomized crossover trial designed to determine whether there is a difference in the COD test performance after treatment of strength and speed training. Eighteen soccer players were recruited from the same team and randomly assigned to two experimental groups and a control group. The players were evaluated in four various tests, the Illinois Agility Test, 30 meters speed test, 30 meters speed with a change of direction Test and, the 5RM submaximal strength Test. Four 2(Test) x 3(groups) ANOVAs with Tukey posthoc test were performed to detect any statistically significant differences between and within the training groups. An alpha-level of &amp;lt;0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. This study did not find significant improvements in the performance of the studied qualities speed (linear and COD) and, nor an increase in the strength test's performance linked to the treatment used at the end of the six weeks of combined treatment of strength and speed. Strength plus speed training can be used to improve strength during the competitive season.

Application Of An Integrated Metabolic Power Paradigm In Elite Soccer

HighlightsWhat are the main findings?International CP football players show superior sprinting, change-of-direction, and dribbling performance in field tests compared to national-level players, particularly in FT1 and FT2 sport classes.In FT2 players, high-intensity running during matches, measured by inertial sensors, was the most accurate predictor of international selection status.What is the implication of the main finding?Physical performance tests and wearable sensor data can objectively differentiate elite CP football players, providing evidence-based tools for talent identification.Integrating these assessments into national selection strategies may enhance the accuracy and fairness of international team recruitment in para-football.This study analyzed the physical performance (via field tests) and in-match physical responses (via wearable inertial sensors) of national and international cerebral palsy (CP) football players competing in Spain’s First Division. A total of 80 players (FT1: n = 22; FT2: n = 48; FT3: n = 10) completed sprinting, change of direction, and dribbling tests. In-match data from 74 players were collected across 56 official matches. Players were classified as “international” (candidates for the national team) or “national” (non-candidates). Statistical analyses identified performance differences and predictors of international selection using multiple discriminant analysis. International players outperformed national ones in sprinting, agility, and dribbling, especially in FT1 and FT2 classes (p < 0.05; large effect sizes). In-match data (analyzed for FT2 only) showed that international players covered more distance at all intensities and executed more high-intensity actions (e.g., maximal velocity, ball contacts). High-intensity running was the strongest predictor of international status (74.5%, Wilks’ λ = 0.86, p = 0.01). Change of direction and dribbling were key discriminators in FT1 and FT2, while no clear predictor emerged in FT3. These findings support the use of physical tests and wearable technology for evidence-based talent identification and selection in CP football.

This study aimed to investigate the perception of soccer strength and conditioning (S&amp;C) coaches on the importance of upper body (UB) strength training for the performance of high-intensity actions (HIA) (i.e., sprinting, repeated sprint ability, change of direction, and jumping) in professional soccer players, and to identify current practices with regards to UB strength testing and training methodologies within this sport. Eighty-six S&amp;C coaches working with professional soccer players volunteered to complete the survey. Twenty-two fixed responses and three open-ended questions were grouped into three sections: (a) demographic information, (b) perspectives on the importance of UB strength and UB strength training for HIA, and (c) current practices of UB strength training in soccer. Frequency analysis was used to assess fixed response questions, and thematic analysis established clear and recognisable themes for open-ended questions. Relative to “not important” options, UB strength was perceived as important for all HIA, especially for jumping (89%) and acceleration (87%). Coaches strongly supported the idea that UB strength plays a role in enhancing HIA, with particular influence on jumping (100%), acceleration (97%) and COD (93%). This positive influence is believed to be realised via improved force transmissions (97%) and neural drive (94%). Notably, however, surveyed coaches overwhelmingly use moderate resistance in their sessions (100%) without substantial emphasis on high-velocity contractions (64%). In conclusion, S&amp;C practitioners value UB strength training for enhancing the performance of HIA in professional soccer players. Further research is needed to explore this link and provide clearer guidance on the implementation of UB strength training in professional soccer.

This study aimed to assess the association of the mechanical variables derived from the force-velocity (FV) profile (i.e. theoretical maximal force [F 0], velocity [V 0] and maximal power output [P max]) with change of direction (COD) performance in soccer, basketball and tennis players. Fifty-four male athletes (soccer n = 23; tennis n = 16; basketball n = 15) were assessed for the vertical (Vrt) and horizontal (Hzt) FV profiles, COD with the dominant (D) and nondominant (ND) legs, using the modified 505 test, and sprint. Hzt FV profile parameters showed stronger associations with performance than Vrt FV profile in the three sports. Specifically, the Hzt parameter most strongly associated with COD performance was F 0 in tennis (r = −0.83; p<0.001) and P max in soccer and basketball (r = −0.79; p<0.001). Associations between sprint times and COD test ranged from (r = 0.73–0.82) in soccer players, (r = 0.74–0.87) in tennis players and (r = 0.62–0.85) in basketball players, respectively (p<0.05). Considering the whole sample and the random effect of the type of sports, an improvement in sprint acceleration (i.e. one N/kg increase in F 0 and one W/kg in P max) was associated with −0.15 s and −0.04 s to complete the 505 test, respectively. In conclusion, our results suggest the potential usefulness of assessing the Hzt FV profile to maximize acceleration capabilities through training interventions which, in turn, may translate into improved COD performance. However, further longitudinal and experimental research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.

Loturco, I, Pereira, LA, Reis, VP, Abad, CCC, Freitas, TT, Azevedo, PHSM and Nimphius, S. Change of direction performance in elite players from different team sports. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 862-866, 2022-The primary aim of this study was to examine the differences in change of direction (COD) deficit between elite futsal, soccer, handball, and rugby players. A secondary aim was to compare the performance in both COD and linear speed tests among these athletes. One-hundred sixty-one elite male players from 4 team sports performed a 20-m linear sprint speed and a Zigzag COD speed test. The COD deficit was calculated as the difference between linear and Zigzag test velocities. Differences in COD speed, COD deficit, and sprint velocity were assessed via 1-way analysis of variance. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Soccer players displayed significantly lower performance than the remaining team sports, and rugby players performed better than all the other groups in the Zigzag COD test. Moreover, the COD deficit was significantly higher in soccer players in comparison with the other disciplines (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in the COD deficit among rugby, futsal, and handball players (p > 0.05). In summary, soccer players were slower than futsal, handball, and rugby players to change direction and presented the greatest COD deficit magnitude. By contrast, the fastest athletes in the COD speed test (rugby players) were not more effective than futsal and handball players at changing direction (as they exhibited similar levels of COD deficit). Coaches should be aware of this evidence, which reinforces previous findings, indicating that very specialized training strategies might be required to improve COD performance in professional athletes.

This study aimed to analyze elite team handball physical and physiological demands during match play. Time-motion (N = 30) and heart rate (HR; N = 60) analyses were performed throughout 10 official matches. The defined locomotor categories were standing still, walking, jogging, fast running, sprinting, backwards movement, sideways medium-intensity movement, and sideways high-intensity movement, and playing actions studied were jumps, shots, stops when preceded by high-intensity activities, changes of direction and one-on-one situations. During matches, the mean distances covered were 4,370 ± 702.0 m. Around 80% of the total time was spent standing still (43.0 ± 9.27%) and walking (35.0 ± 6.94%) and only 0.4 ± 0.31% with sprinting. The most frequent high-intensity actions were stops, changes of direction, and one-on-one situations. Effective mean HR was 157 ± 18.0 b·min(-1) (82 ± 9.3% of HRmax), and total HR was 139 ± 31.9 b·min(-1) (72 ± 16.7% of HRmax). The HR, time spent in high-intensity activities, frequency of stops, changes of direction, one-on-one situations, and most intense periods of the game were higher during the first half than during the second half (p ≤ 0.05). The opposite was observed for the number of time outs and the time between each change of activity (p = 0.00). Handball is an intermittent exercise that primarily uses aerobic metabolism, interspersed by high-intensity actions that greatly tax anaerobic metabolism. Additionally, exercise intensity decreases from the first to the second half of the match, suggesting that neuromuscular fatigue may occur during the game. The training of elite handball players should comprise exercises targeting the ability to perform specific high-intensity actions throughout the game and to rapidly recover during the less intense periods.

This study systematically reviewed scientific literature regarding the effects of the FIFA 11+ intervention on the change of direction (COD) performance in soccer and futsal players. We conducted a keyword search on June 30, 2020, in SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. We performed a meta-analysis to estimate the pooled effect size of FIFA 11+ interventions on COD performance. Sixteen RCTs studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Compared to the control group, the FIFA 11+ intervention yielded a 0.87 standard deviation (95% CI = 0.52, 1.21; I2 = 96.2%) decrease in the time of COD task completion in soccer and futsal players. In addition, there were no differential effects of the FIFA 11+ intervention compared to the control group in COD performance enhancement among age, gender, athletic level, sport, intervention frequency, intervention duration, and measure covariates. In conclusion, the FIFA 11+ intervention is effective in improving the COD performance of soccer and futsal players. Future studies should recruit large representative samples from professional soccer or futsal teams and examine the effectiveness of the FIFA 11+ intervention on the COD performance among population subgroups (e.g., by age and gender). Studies focusing on different COD tests are warranted to deepen the understanding of the FIFA 11+ intervention effects on the COD performance.

Background: While there is ample evidence on the effects of Nordic hamstring training (NHT) on physical fitness in youth athletes, less is known about the effectiveness of different volumes of this type of training. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the effects of 8 weeks of low-volume Nordic hamstring training (LNHT) performed during the warm-up, on sprints (5, 10, and 20-m) and change of direction (CoD) with (15-m CoD Ball) and without (15-m without Ball) the ball in young male soccer players in highly trained male youth soccer players. Methods: Twenty-eight male youth soccer players, aged 13 to 14 years, were randomly assigned to LNHT (n= 14) or a control group (CON, n= 14). The eight-week NMT included low Nordic exercises with 3 sets of 4 repetitions. The CG performed a soccer-specific warm-up. Training was performed during the warm-up with similar training volumes between groups. Pre-, and post-training, tests were conducted to assess sprint (5, 10, and 20-m) and change of direction (CoD) with (15-m CoD Ball) and without (15-m without Ball) the ball. Results: Findings showed significant group-by-time interactions for all 5 (F1,26=.77, P =.38, Pη2 =.029), 10 (F1,26=2.7, P =.11, Pη2 =.095) and 20-m sprint (F1,26=14.9, P =.001, Pη2 =.364) and CoD with (F1,26=12.9, P =.001, Pη2 =.332) and without the ball (F1,26=24.1, P =.001, Pη2 =.481) tests. There were significant pre-post changes for all tested variables (all P&lt;0.005) in favor of LNHT but not CG. Conclusions: In conclusion, LNHT was a mean tool for improving CoD speed and sprint performance. Due to the importance of CoD and short accelerations for overall competitive performance in soccer, our results suggest that young players should perform LNHT as part of their warm-up soccer training if the goal is to improve sprint and CoD performance.

The use of time-motion analysis has advanced our understanding of position-specific work rate profiles and the physical requirements of soccer players. Still, many of the typical soccer activities can be neglected, as these systems only examine activities measured by distance and speed variables. This study used triaxial accelerometer and time-motion analysis to obtain new knowledge about elite soccer players' match load. Furthermore, we determined acceleration/deceleration profiles of elite soccer players and their contribution to the players' match load. The data set includes every domestic home game (n = 45) covering 3 full seasons (2009, 2010, and 2011) for the participating team (Rosenborg FC), and includes 8 central defenders (n = 68), 9 fullbacks (n = 83), 9 central midfielders (n = 70), 7 wide midfielders (n = 39), and 5 attackers (A, n = 50). A novel finding was that accelerations contributed to 7-10% of the total player load for all player positions, whereas decelerations contributed to 5-7%. Furthermore, the results indicate that other activities besides the high-intensity movements contribute significantly to the players' total match workload. Therefore, motion analysis alone may underestimate player load because many high-intensity actions are without a change in location at the pitch or they are classified as low-speed activity according to current standards. This new knowledge may help coaches to better understand the different ways players achieve match load and could be used in developing individualized programs that better meet the "positional physical demands" in elite soccer.

It is aimed to determine the level of influence of proprioceptive training applied to young football players on high-intensity actions and footballspecific skills of football players. The research group consists of 30 male football players (age = 15.86 ± 0.69). The participants were divided into 2 groups as proprioceptive training group (PTG) and control group, each consisting of 15 football players. The body height and body weight of the participants were measured. Hand-eye coordination, vertical jump, sprint, agility, and core endurance tests, which are defined as high-intensity actions, were applied to the participants. Dynamic balance performances of the participants were also determined. Passing, ball control and dribbling were measured by international tests to determine the participants' football-specific skills. No significant differences were found between the groups in the comparison of PTG and CG in terms of high-intensity actions (p&gt;0.05). There was also no significant difference in the comparison of the dynamic balance performance of both dominant and non-dominant feet (p&gt;0.05). Significant differences were determined in favor of the PTG group in the variables of football-specific skills such as pass shot rate and the number of ball control (p0.05). As a result, it can be stated that in addition to football training, proprioceptive training contributes positively to the development of skills such as passing and ball control, which we can show among the basic football skills.

Yanci, J, Castillo, D, Iturricastillo, A, and Reina, R. Evaluation of the official match external load in soccer players with cerebral palsy. J Strength Cond Res 33(3): 866-873, 2019-The aims of this study were to analyze the official match external loads (i.e., total distance, distance covered at different speeds, accelerations, decelerations, player load [PL], peak metabolic power, and changes of direction [CODs]) of football players with cerebral palsy (CP) and to determine the external loads according to playing time (i.e., <20, 20-40, and >40 minutes). The external load of 31 international football players with CP (23.0 ± 6.6 years; 69.1 ± 9.0 kg; 174.8 ± 7.3 cm) was analyzed during a World Championship Qualification Tournament (n = 8 matches, 58 individual observations). Results showed that the football players with CP covered less distance at high-intensity running and sprinting, performing a smaller number of moderate and high-intensity accelerations and decelerations, had a lower PL, and performed fewer CODs in official matches compared with conventional football players as reported in other studies. The number of minutes played by the players (i.e., <20, 20-40, and >40 minutes) could significantly influence the players' match external load (effect size = 0.3-5.5, small to extremely large). The impairments presented by football players with CP affect players' match external loads, especially in short-term high-intensity neuromuscular actions.

Tennis is an individual sport characterised by high-intensity action, including sprints and changes of direction (COD). However, there is a gap in the knowledge of limb asymmetries in adolescent tennis players and their association with performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between asymmetry in vertical and horizontal jump tests (CMJ and HJ) and COD with lower limb performance variables in adolescent tennis players. Forty-five adolescent tennis players (age: 13.81 ± 1.08 years; height: 167.64 ± 9.9 cm; body mass: 57.48 ± 10.94 kg; body mass index: 20.27 ± 2.18 kg/m2) performed the CMJ test (unilateral and bilateral), horizontal jumps (unilateral and bilateral), 25 m sprint, and 180° COD test. The single-leg countermovement jump showed the greatest asymmetries among the different tests (6.62 ± 9.35%). Notable negative relationships were found between CMJ asymmetry and COD asymmetry with unilateral horizontal jump variables (r = -0.30 to -0.53). In addition, CMJ asymmetry showed notable relationships with CMJR (r = 0.49) and COD180R (r = 0.29), whereas COD asymmetry showed a notable relationship with COD180L (r = 0.40). On the other hand, HJ asymmetry showed no notable relationships with any variable. The main findings of this study indicate that greater imbalances in the CMJ and COD tests are associated with a reduced capacity to perform unilateral horizontal jumps. These results suggest the incorporation of training protocols to reduce interlimb asymmetries in growing athletes to improve their performance. This practical application is important for coaches and physical trainers who aim to improve the physical performance of adolescent tennis players. Greater asymmetry results in a reduced ability to produce unilateral horizontal force.