Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse and quantify the acute effects of competition on several performance factors in under-19 male soccer players. To this end, 198 national league players (17.56 ± 0.78 years) performed various tests to measure jump capacity, kicking velocity and sprint times immediately pre-match (T1), at half-time (T2) and post-match (T3). Tests included kicking the ball to measure ball velocity (KICK), sprinting for 40 meters, timing the first 30 meters (30mACCEL), the last 10 meters (10mACCEL) and the total distance (40mACCEL), and performing countermovement jumps (CMJ). For subsequent analysis, the sample was divided into 5 playing positions: goalkeepers (n = 24), defenders (n = 51), midfielders (n = 36), wingers (n = 54) and forwards (n = 33). For all positions, we found a significant decline in performance (p<0.05) for kicking velocity (2.91% - 6.51%) and sprinting (0.44%-5.85%). For the CMJ, all positions except defenders presented a significant decline in performance that ranged from 1.5% to 4.56%. These findings highlight the need to individualise fitness training, taking into account the match needs and demands of the different playing positions in order to minimise the effects of match fatigue and accelerate post-match recovery.
Highlights
As a discontinuous or acyclic team sport, soccer requires dynamic, random and intermittent actions [1] involving acceleration, jumping and changes of direction and speed, all of which exerts great pressure on neuromuscular and metabolic parameters [2]
For the variable kicking the ball to measure ball velocity (KICK), we found significant differences between times (p = 0.00; effect size (ES) = 0.396)
Due to the paucity of studies conducted in competitive contexts, the aim of the present study was to analyse the acute effects of a soccer match on jump capacity, sprint times and kicking velocity in under-19 players
Summary
As a discontinuous or acyclic team sport, soccer requires dynamic, random and intermittent actions [1] involving acceleration, jumping and changes of direction and speed, all of which exerts great pressure on neuromuscular and metabolic parameters [2]. Sprint times and vertical jump capacity have been used to assess soccer players’ anaerobic profile [3] and to study changes with respect to the beginning of the match [4]. It has been demonstrated that soccer matches cause physical changes in players that lead to reduced physical performance in aspects such the capacity to maintain high speed during sprints [5], and acceleration/deceleration distances during and after the match [6].
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