Psychophysiological indicators of fatigue in soccer players: A systematic review

Abstract

Summary The aim of this study was to determine the main methods used to analyse the soccer players movement during games. Data were collected at three databases (PubMed, Medline and SPORTDiscus) from 2010 to 2015, using the match terms: “perceived exertion” AND “fatigue” AND “soccer”. The data criteria inclusion considered articles with match terms in titles and abstracts; studies purposes assessed central or peripheral fatigue in soccer players; psychological, physiological or psychophysiological variables; research design as a descriptive or experimental models. Studies that evaluated children, adults and recreational soccer practitioners were excluded. The studies quality was assessed by three PhD professors using the PEDro scale. Twenty-two studies were initially located; following the application of the eligibility criteria, 11 studies were selected for our analysis. Data showed that the main methods used to determine psychophysiological fatigue in athletes were ergoespirometry, but mainly indirect methods to identify aerobic power. For anaerobic power, the studies used mainly indirect tests (sprint and jump test). The Profile of Mood States and Illinois Agility Test were used to identify mood states and agility, respectively. For psychophysiological assessments were used mainly perceived exertion scales (Borg 6–20 and CR-10), Felt Arousal Scale, Feeling Scale, Hooper's Index and the SFMS questionnaire for the detection of early signs of overtraining, while for metabolic assessments were used the heart rate identified by heart monitor and blood lactate identified by lactimeter. Thus, this study concludes that indirect and cheap methods were reported to identify fatigue and psychophysiological changes during soccer matches and training session.