Author:
Kokstejn Jakub,Vampola Jindrich,Musalek Martin,Grobar Miroslav,Stastny Petr
Abstract
Research on the external physical load on elite youth soccer players during the weekly training microcycle in competitive periods and official matches is limited. The aims of this study were twofold: a) investigate possible differences in external physical load (PL) across player positions in U17 elite youth soccer players during official matches; b) determine the weekly training to match physical load ratio (WTMLr) across player positions. The sample included 20 outfield players from an elite soccer academy (mean age 15.94 ± 0.25 years) playing in four positions: central defender (CD), full-back (FB), central midfielder (CM) and Striker (S). Data were collected during the spring in-season period for 17 official matches played in a 4-3-3 game format. Indicators of external physical load monitored were: total distance (TD); total distance in high-speed running (HSR; > 16.1 km.h-1); total distance in sprint running (SPR; > 21.6 km.h-1); and relative physical load intensity (%HSR). The WTMLr was calculated for TD, HSR, SPR and %HSR as the ratio of the average weekly sum of training PL to the average sum of PL in an official match for a given players' position. Collectively, the training intensity during a one-week microcycle (%HSR in WTMLr) achieved only 76 % of match demands. CD performed significantly lower in all measured indicators of external PL during the official match than all other positions (p < 0.05; g > 0.80) except for TD in S. S achieved significantly higher SPR during official matches compared to CD (p < 0.05; g > 0.80), CM, and FB (g > 0.80). In contrast, CD reported higher WTMLr (medium-large effect size) in HSR and SPR indicators than all other positions. CM performed significantly higher %HSR in WTMLr than S and FB (p < 0.05; g > 0.80). Results revealed insufficient training intensity relative to match demands and, at the same time, weekly training PL did not meet match demands (especially in HSR and SPR) for players across the different positions. Therefore, practitioners should select appropriate training methods (drills and games) to ensure sufficient training intensity (HSR and SR metrics) and consider using the WTMLr, which can be used to help optimise and individualise training PL for different player positions.
Publisher
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Reference31 articles.
1. Ammann L., Altmann S., Ruf L., Sperlich B. (2023) Seasonal analysis of match load in professional soccer players: An observational cohort study of a Swiss U18, U21 and first team. Frontiers in Physiology 13, 2645-. Crossref
2. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Anderson L., Orme P., Di Michele R., Close G.L., Morgans R., Drust B., Morton J.P. (2016) 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. Journal of Sports Sciences 34, 1250-1259. Crossref
3. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Atan S.A., Foskett A., Ali A. (2014) Special populations: Issues and considerations in youth soccer match analysis. International Journal of Sports Science 4, 103-114. Crossref
4. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Brydges C.R. (2019) Effect size guidelines, sample size calculations, and statistical power in gerontology. Innovation in Aging 3, -. Crossref
5. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Buchheit M., Mendez-Villanueva A., Simpson B., Bourdon P. (2010) Match Running Performance and Fitness in Youth Soccer. International Journal of Sports Medicine 31, 818-825. Crossref
Cited by
1 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献,注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献,订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献