Bio-banded competition has been introduced to address the variation in physical maturity within soccer. To date, no research has investigated the effect of bio-banded competition relative to chronological competition. The current study investigated the effect of bio-banding upon physical and technical performance in elite youth soccer athletes. Twenty-five male soccer athletes (11–15 years) from an English Premier League soccer academy participated in bio-banded and chronological competition, with physical and technical performance data collected for each athlete. Athletes were between 85–90% of predicted adult stature, and sub-divided into early, on-time and late developers. For early developers, significantly more short passes, significantly less dribbles and a higher rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were evident during bio-banded competition compared to chronological competition (p < 0.05). Significantly more short passes and dribbles, and significantly fewer long passes were seen for on-time developers during bio-banded competition (p < 0.05). For late developers, significantly more tackles, and significantly fewer long passes were evident during bio-banded competition (p < 0.05). No significant differences in physical performance were identified between competition formats. Results demonstrated that bio-banded competition changed the technical demand placed upon athletes compared to chronological competition, without reducing the physical demands. Bio-banded competition can be prescribed to athletes of differing maturation groups dependent upon their specific developmental needs.

Physical demands of soccer competition vary between playing positions. Previous research investigated total, and high-speed distances, with limited research into acceleration demands of competition. Research investigating speed and acceleration demands have utilised arbitrary thresholds, overlooking the individual nature of athlete locomotion. The current investigation was the first utilising individual speed and acceleration thresholds, investigating the relative intensity of activities. Relationship between match outcome and physical outputs were also investigated. GPS data from 44 professional matches was collected using 10-Hz GPS and 100-Hz accelerometer devices. 343 observations were divided by playing position, and match result, with differences in GPS metrics analysed. Central midfielders produced the highest total distances, and moderateintensity acceleration distances (p<0.01). Wide defenders and attackers produced the highest very highspeed running, sprinting, and high-intensity acceleration distances (p<0.01). Central defenders produced the lowest values for all metrics (p<0.01). No significant differences were found between GPS metrics for differing match outcomes (p>0.05). In addition to differing tactical and technical roles, soccer playing positions have specific physical demands associated. Current results allow overload of individual training intensities relative to competition. No relationships were evident between GPS metrics and match outcome, suggesting soccer success is the result of superior technical and tactical strategies.

Soccer training games are popular training modalities, allowing technical, tactical, and physical aspects to be trained simultaneously. Small (SSGs), medium (MSGs) and large training games (LSGs) elicit differing physical demands. To date, no research has investigated physical and perceived demands of training games upon soccer playing positions relative to competitive demands. Additionally, previous research has referenced average competitive intensities, ignoring peak demands of competition. The current aim was to investigate the effect of training game formats upon average and peak physical outputs produced by soccer playing positions. Physical and perceptual data from twenty-two competitive matches and thirty-nine training game sessions was collected for forty-six U23 professional players using 10-Hz GPS and 100-Hz accelerometer devices (MinimaxX version 4.0; Catapult Innovations, Melbourne, Australia). Data analysed included GPS derived distance, speed, acceleration, deceleration, and RPE. Two-way between subjects ANOVAs were used to compare average and peak GPS metrics, and RPE, between training games and competition for playing positions. Despite eliciting significantly higher average total distances compared to competition (p<0.01), LSGs produced significantly lower peak total distances relative to competition (p<0.01). For very high-speed running and sprinting, LSGs elicited similar average intensities to competition, however peak intensities were significantly lower than competition (p<0.01). MSGs and LSGs produced significantly higher average and peak moderate-intensity explosive distances than competition (p<0.01). Results indicate the importance of analyzing relative to peak competitive demands, instead of focusing solely upon average demands. The study demonstrates specific game formats can overload the competitive demands of playing positions, and provide an individualized training stimulus.

HyEx60 offered the greatest improvements in acute and moderate-term glucose control in T2D. Intermittent exercise stimulated glucose disposal and improved post-exercise insulin resistance, which was enhanced when exercise was combined with hypoxia (Hy5:5). The data suggest a use of hypoxic exercise in treatment of T2D.

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