Match Schedule Research Articles

Sleep patterns and match performance in elite Australian basketball athletes.

To assess sleep patterns and associations between sleep and match performance in elite Australian female basketball players. Prospective cohort study. Seventeen elite female basketball players were monitored across two consecutive in-season competitions (30 weeks). Total sleep time and sleep efficiency were determined using triaxial accelerometers for Baseline, Pre-match, Match-day and Post-match timings. Match performance was determined using the basketball efficiency statistic (EFF). The effects of match schedule (Regular versus Double-Header; Home versus Away) and sleep on EFF were assessed. The Double-Header condition changed the pattern of sleep when compared with the Regular condition (F(3,48)=3.763, P=0.017), where total sleep time Post-match was 11% less for Double-Header (mean±SD; 7.2±1.4h) compared with Regular (8.0±1.3h; P=0.007). Total sleep time for Double-Header was greater Pre-match (8.2±1.7h) compared with Baseline (7.1±1.6h; P=0.022) and Match-day (7.3±1.5h; P=0.007). Small correlations existed between sleep metrics at Pre-match and EFF for pooled data (r=-0.39 to -0.22; P≥0.238). Relationships between total sleep time and EFF ranged from moderate negative to large positive correlations for individual players (r=-0.37 to 0.62) and reached significance for one player (r=0.60; P=0.025). Match schedule can affect the sleep patterns of elite female basketball players. A large degree of inter-individual variability existed in the relationship between sleep and match performance; nevertheless, sleep monitoring might assist in the optimisation of performance for some athletes.

The effect of a succession of matches on the physical performance of elite football players during the World Cup Brazil 2014

The aim of the current study was to examine the influence of playing multiple games with a short recovery time between matches on physical activity in elite football. The variation of physical performance (overall distance, walking and light-intensity running, moderate-intensity running, high-intensity running and Sprint) of players during the group stage in the World Cup Brazil 2014 was examined. Footballers played three consecutive matches separated by 4 days. Altogether, 301 physical performance profiles were examined (Central Defenders (CD) = 57, External Defenders (ED) = 59, Central Midfielders (CM) = 61, External Midfielders (EM) = 56, and Forwards (F) = 68). Data were collected using a computerized multiple-camera tracking system (Prozone). No differences were found across the three matches in the distance covered in Sprint, HIR, MIR and Light-IR. External and Central Midfielders reported significant differences in the overall distance covered or that covered in MIR and HIR (p<0.05), however there is not a clear tendency of how playing multiple games modified their physical performance. In conclusion, fixture congestion had no, or very limited, influence on physical performance in elite football players. This indicates that, to a certain extent, top players can cope with a busy match schedule without underperforming.

Effect of a congested match schedule on immune-endocrine responses, technical performance and session-RPE in elite youth soccer players

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the effects of a congested match schedule (7 matches played in 7 days) on steroid hormone concentrations, mucosal immunity, session rating of perceived exertion (S-RPE) and technical performance in 16 elite youth soccer players (14.8 ± 0.4 years; 170.6 ± 9.4 cm; 64.9 ± 7 kg). No change was observed for salivary cortisol concentration across match time points (P = 0.33; effect size [ES] = 0.13–0.48). In contrast, there was a decrease in salivary testosterone and salivary IgA (SIgA) concentrations from the 1st compared with the last time point (P = 0.01 and 0.001, ES = 0.42 and 0.67, respectively). The SIgA concentration varied across time points (P < 0.001) with the highest value observed at the 3rd time point (rest day) (3rd vs all time point; ES = 0.47–0.73). No changes were observed for S-RPE across time points (P > 0.05). A higher number of tackles and interceptions were observed during the 4th match vs 1st and 7th matches (P < 0.001; ES = 2.25 and 1.90, respectively). The present data demonstrate that accumulated fatigue related to participation in a congested match schedule might induce a decrease in testosterone concentration in youth players and negatively affect their mucosal immunity and capacity to perform certain technical actions.

Quantification of training load during one-, two- and three-game week schedules in professional soccer players from the English Premier League: implications for carbohydrate periodisation

ABSTRACTMuscle glycogen is the predominant energy source for soccer match play, though its importance for soccer training (where lower loads are observed) is not well known. In an attempt to better inform carbohydrate (CHO) guidelines, we quantified training load in English Premier League soccer players (n = 12) during a one-, two- and three-game week schedule (weekly training frequency was four, four and two, respectively). In a one-game week, training load was progressively reduced (P < 0.05) in 3 days prior to match day (total distance = 5223 ± 406, 3097 ± 149 and 2912 ± 192 m for day 1, 2 and 3, respectively). Whilst daily training load and periodisation was similar in the one- and two-game weeks, total accumulative distance (inclusive of both match and training load) was higher in a two-game week (32.5 ± 4.1 km) versus one-game week (25.9 ± 2 km). In contrast, daily training total distance was lower in the three-game week (2422 ± 251 m) versus the one- and two-game weeks, though accumulative weekly distance was highest in this week (35.5 ± 2.4 km) and more time (P < 0.05) was spent in speed zones >14.4 km · h−1 (14%, 18% and 23% in the one-, two- and three-game weeks, respectively). Considering that high CHO availability improves physical match performance but high CHO availability attenuates molecular pathways regulating training adaptation (especially considering the low daily customary loads reported here, e.g., 3–5 km per day), we suggest daily CHO intake should be periodised according to weekly training and match schedules.

Simultaneous scheduling of football games and referees using Turkish league data

AbstractAssignment decisions of referees to football (soccer) games are highly debated in sports media. Referee assignments are typically done on a weekly basis as the league progresses. However, this practice ignores important workload constraints on referees. Moreover, referees' skill levels should also be considered in determining their assignments. In this article, we first give a mixed integer linear program formulation for the problem of simultaneously generating a game schedule and assigning main referees to games by incorporating specific rules in the Turkish league. We also approach this problem using a genetic algorithm (GA) because of the computational difficulties in solving the problem. In the GA solution pool, we suggest using templates for referee assignments that follow several referee‐related workload constraints. We explain how these templates can be obtained by solving a mixed integer linear model prior to running the GA. The usage of these templates for referee assignments is conceptually similar to using a basic match schedule for game scheduling such as the one used in the Turkish Football League. We use the Turkish Football League fixtures for 2010–2013 as a case study. Experiments with the GA using real‐world data show a rather modest performance in terms of computation time and objective function value. Our numerical results indicate that the problem is extremely hard to solve.

Stress, Sleep and Recovery in Elite Soccer: A Critical Review of the Literature.

In elite soccer, players are frequently exposed to various situations and conditions that can interfere with sleep, potentially leading to sleep deprivation. This article provides a comprehensive and critical review of the current available literature regarding the potential acute and chronic stressors (i.e., psychological, sociological and physiological stressors) placed on elite soccer players that may result in compromised sleep quantity and/or quality. Sleep is an essential part of the recovery process as it provides a number of important psychological and physiological functions. The effects of sleep disturbance on post-soccer match fatigue mechanisms and recovery time course are also described. Physiological and cognitive changes that occur when competing at night are often not conducive to sleep induction. Although the influence of high-intensity exercise performed during the night on subsequent sleep is still debated, environmental conditions (e.g., bright light in the stadium, light emanated from the screens) and behaviours related to evening soccer matches (e.g., napping, caffeine consumption, alcohol consumption) as well as engagement and arousal induced by the match may all potentially affect subsequent sleep. Apart from night soccer matches, soccer players are subjected to inconsistency in match schedules, unique team schedules and travel fatigue that may also contribute to the sleep debt. Sleep deprivation may be detrimental to the outcome of the recovery process after a match, resulting in impaired muscle glycogen repletion, impaired muscle damage repair, alterations in cognitive function and an increase in mental fatigue. The role of sleep in recovery is a complex issue, reinforcing the need for future research to estimate the quantitative and qualitative importance of sleep and to identify influencing factors. Efficient and individualised solutions are likely needed.

An improved league championship algorithm with free search and its application on production scheduling

An improved league championship algorithm with free search (LCAFS) is proposed to avoid the drawbacks of basic LCA, such as premature convergence, slow convergence speed. The parameters of the algorithm vary linearly along with iteration. A novel match schedule is designed to improve the competition capability for the sport teams. Furthermore, the free search operation is introduced to promote the diversity of the league. Inspired by the real league degradation, degradation mechanism is used to preserve the team elites. It is convinced by using benchmark functions that LCAFS is superior to other compared algorithms in the global searching performance and convergence speed. The proposed algorithm is finally employed as learning method of parameters in neural network to establish the shop floor production scheduling model and achieves good results.

Effects of a Very Congested Match Schedule on Body-Load Impacts, Accelerations, and Running Measures in Youth Soccer Players

To analyze the effects of a very congested match schedule on the total distance (TD) covered, high-intensity-running (HIR) distance, and frequency of accelerations and body-load impacts (BLIs) performed in a team of under-15 soccer players (N=10; 15.1±0.2 y, 171.8±4.7 cm, 61±6.0 kg) during an international youth competition. Using global positioning systems, player performances were repeatedly monitored in 5 matches performed over 3 successive days. Significant differences were observed between matches (P<.05) for the frequency of accelerations per minute, BLIs, and BLIs per minute. No differences were observed for the TD covered, TD run per minute, number of high-intensity runs, distance covered in HIR, per-minute peak running speed attained, or frequency of accelerations. The frequency of accelerations per minute decreased across the competition while BLIs were higher during the final than in all other matches. These results suggest that BLIs and acceleration might be used as an alternative means to represent the external load during congested match schedules rather than measures related to running speed or distance covered.

Risk of symptomatic dengue for foreign visitors to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Brazil will host the FIFA World Cup™, the biggest single-event competition in the world, from June 12-July 13 2014 in 12 cities. This event will draw an estimated 600,000 international visitors. Brazil is endemic for dengue. Hence, attendees of the 2014 event are theoretically at risk for dengue. We calculated the risk of dengue acquisition to non-immune international travellers to Brazil, depending on the football match schedules, considering locations and dates of such matches for June and July 2014. We estimated the average per-capita risk and expected number of dengue cases for each host-city and each game schedule chosen based on reported dengue cases to the Brazilian Ministry of Health for the period between 2010-2013. On the average, the expected number of cases among the 600,000 foreigner tourists during the World Cup is 33, varying from 3-59. Such risk estimates will not only benefit individual travellers for adequate pre-travel preparations, but also provide valuable information for public health professionals and policy makers worldwide. Furthermore, estimates of dengue cases in international travellers during the World Cup can help to anticipate the theoretical risk for exportation of dengue into currently non-infected areas.

Operations Research Techniques for Scheduling Chile's Second Division Soccer League

In this paper, we use operations research (OR) techniques to schedule the Second Division of the Chilean professional soccer league. The solution must satisfy a series of conditions requested by league officials. Because the teams generally travel long distances by bus, geographical restrictions are particularly important. We specify the scheduling problem and solve it using an integer linear programming (ILP) model that defines when and where each match is played, subject to constraints. For the most difficult instances, we formulate a second ILP model that generates home-away patterns and assigns them to the teams; we then run the model, which determines the match schedule. Chilean league officials have successfully used the models to schedule all five Second Division tournaments between 2007 and 2010, replacing the random scheduling methodology that they used previously. Since 2007, the two formulations have been adapted to various formats with which the Second Division has experimented; these include a quadruple round robin and a two-phase tournament with zonal and national phases. The application we present is one of a number of such projects that the authors and their colleagues developed over the past few years, and it represents an expansion of the use of OR techniques for managing tasks in Chilean soccer.

Variation in injury risk over the course of a two-day youth club soccer tournament

Athletic injury risk in youth is known to be greater in organised sport, higher levels of competition, games, and tournaments, yet young athletes are often expected to participate in tournaments...

Alteration of subjective feelings in football players undertaking their usual training and match schedule during the Ramadan fast

Eighty-seven players (54 fasting players, 33 non-fasting players) who carried out their club's scheduled training and competitive matches completed the daily questionnaire before and during Ramadan. Fasting players trained on average 11 h after their last food and drink. While fasting players reported that they were slightly less ready to train during the Ramadan fast than in the period before Ramadan, there was no increase in their perceived effort during training or in training difficulty compared with their ratings before Ramadan, or with those of the non-fasting group during Ramadan. The fasting players were marginally more thirsty, hungry and tired, and slightly less able to concentrate before training during Ramadan than in the pre-Ramadan period. Before Ramadan, both groups averaged more than 9 h sleep each night. The non-fasting players recorded that they had about 105 min less sleep per night during the first week of Ramadan, before reverting back to their pre-Ramadan amount of sleep. The fasting group consistently reported having about 1 h less sleep per night throughout Ramadan, but neither group appeared to find sleep quality to have altered. In the first 2 weeks after Ramadan, the modest changes reported by the fasting players reverted back to their pre-Ramadan values.

Positive Influence and Negative Dependence

We study negative dependence properties of a sampling process due to Srinivasan to produce distributions on level sets with given marginals. We give a simple proof that the distribution satisfies negative association. We also show that under a linear match schedule it satisfies the stronger condition of conditional negative association via a non-trivial application of the Feder–Mihail theorem. This method involves the notion of a variable of positive influence. We give some results and related counter-examples which might shed some light on its role in a theory of negative dependence.

The effect of a professional cricket match schedule on selected immune parameters

Objective. The impact of a professional cricket match schedule on white blood cell (WBC) distribution and lymphocyte activation (CD69 expression) was investigated. Methods. After a 3-month pre-season training period, physical and immune parameters were determined in 14 male cricketers before (B) and after (A) an intensive 5- week match schedule. Results. Exercise test results were unchanged from B to A. Total WBC counts were similar, but total lymphocyte and lymphocyte subpopulation counts decreased significantly. The CD4:CD8 ratio did not change. After in vitro stimulation, percentage CD4+CD69+ cells increased (B: 54.4 ± 9.7%, A: 64.0 ± 8.5%, p &lt; 0.01), but absolute CD4+CD69+ cell counts did not change from B to A. In contrast, both the %CD8+CD69+ cells and absolute CD8+CD69+ cell count remained similar. Conclusion. A strenuous, interregional, professional cricket match schedule resulted in a decreased number of lymphocytes, but relatively increased in vitro reactivity of CD4+ cells, thus maintaining the absolute capacity of the CD4+ cells to become activated on stimulation. In cricketers who suffered upper respiratory tract symptoms during the match schedule (N = 7), none of the immune parameters investigated differed significantly from the others at B or A. SA Sports Medicine Vol.16(2) 2004: 22-27

The effect of a professional cricket match schedule on selected immune parameters

Objective. The impact of a professional cricket match schedule on white blood cell (WBC) distribution and lymphocyte activation (CD69 expression) was investigated. Methods. After a 3-month pre-season training period, physical and immune parameters were determined in 14 male cricketers before (B) and after (A) an intensive 5- week match schedule. Results. Exercise test results were unchanged from B to A. Total WBC counts were similar, but total lymphocyte and lymphocyte subpopulation counts decreased significantly. The CD4:CD8 ratio did not change. After in vitro stimulation, percentage CD4+CD69+ cells increased (B: 54.4 ± 9.7%, A: 64.0 ± 8.5%, p &lt; 0.01), but absolute CD4+CD69+ cell counts did not change from B to A. In contrast, both the %CD8+CD69+ cells and absolute CD8+CD69+ cell count remained similar. Conclusion. A strenuous, interregional, professional cricket match schedule resulted in a decreased number of lymphocytes, but relatively increased in vitro reactivity of CD4+ cells, thus maintaining the absolute capacity of the CD4+ cells to become activated on stimulation. In cricketers who suffered upper respiratory tract symptoms during the match schedule (N = 7), none of the immune parameters investigated differed significantly from the others at B or A. SA Sports Medicine Vol.16(2) 2004: 22-27