Monitoring Accumulated Training and Match Load in Football: A Systematic Review.

Tiago M Barbosa,António J Silva,José E Teixeira,Pedro Forte,Joana Ribeiro,António M Monteiro,Ricardo Ferraz,Miguel Leal

doi:10.3390/ijerph18083906

Abstract

(1) Background: Training load monitoring has become a relevant research-practice gap to control training and match demands in team sports. However, there are no systematic reviews about accumulated training and match load in football. (2) Methods: Following the preferred reporting item for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA), a systematic search of relevant English-language articles was performed from earliest record to March 2020. The search included descriptors relevant to football, training load, and periodization. (3) Results: The literature search returned 7972 articles (WoS = 1204; Pub-Med = 869, SCOPUS = 5083, and SportDiscus = 816). After screening, 36 full-text articles met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Eleven of the included articles analyzed weekly training load distribution; fourteen, the weekly training load and match load distribution; and eleven were about internal and external load relationships during training. The reviewed articles were based on short-telemetry systems (n = 12), global positioning tracking systems (n = 25), local position measurement systems (n = 3), and multiple-camera systems (n = 3). External load measures were quantified with distance and covered distance in different speed zones (n = 27), acceleration and deceleration (n = 13) thresholds, accelerometer metrics (n = 11), metabolic power output (n = 4), and ratios/scores (n = 6). Additionally, the internal load measures were reported with perceived exertion (n = 16); heart-rate-based measures were reported in twelve studies (n = 12). (4) Conclusions: The weekly microcycle presented a high loading variation and a limited variation across a competitive season. The magnitude of loading variation seems to be influenced by the type of week, player’s starting status, playing positions, age group, training mode and contextual variables. The literature has focused mainly on professional men; future research should be on the youth and female accumulated training/match load monitoring.

Highlights

The reasons for exclusion were: (1) studies not related systematic review purpose (n = 53); (2) studies not related to football player’s topic (n = 13); (3) studies related only to match load/demands (n = 7); (4) studies with screening procedures based on biochemical loading, well-being, and/or injury intervention protocols (n = 15); (5) studies that included field-based test and laboratory test for training load quantification (n = 11); (6) editorials, commentaries, and literature reviews (n = 12); (7) case studies (n = 3); (8) conference abstract/papers (n = 1); and (9) other language (n = 1)
The present systematic review focused on three purposes: (1) analyzing intra- and inter-individual accumulative training load distribution within week, weeks and/or season phases; (2) analyzing the intra- and inter-individual accumulative training load and match load distribution within one week, weeks, and/or season phases; and (3) analyzing relationships between internal and external load measures in the accumulative training load quantification
The present systematic review provided the first report about monitoring accumulated training and match load in football players

Summary

Introduction

Football is a team sport characterized by intermittent efforts, combining high-speeds and intensity with low-intensity periods [1,2]. Knowing about the match physical and physiological demands allows to carry out the training mode [3]. The training process requires a systematic and periodized application to ensure optimal adaptations to physiological responses and biochemical stresses [4,5]. Researchers and practitioners aim to promote favorable performance outcomes and an adequate recovery for match demands [5]

Results

Discussion

Conclusion