Comparisons of recovery, external and internal load by playing position and match outcome in professional soccer

Abstract

Aimsː To compare the internal and external load and the recovery by playing position and the match outcome (wins, losses or draws) in professional soccer. Methodsː Twenty-three male professional soccer athletes from a team of the first division of the Brazilian Championship took part into the study (age 26.1 ± 3.8 years old, weight 77.5 ± 5.0 kg, height 177.6 ± 5.1 cm). During the games, athletes were monitored by GPS and the variables of external loads were taken. Additionally, the session rating of perceived exertion (session RPE) and the perceived recovery scale (PRS) were collected 30 minutes and 40h after the end of the matches, respectively. Resultsː The external load was greater on fullbacks and defense midfielders (p<0.05). The fullbacks cover higher total distances compared to attackers, and, compared to all the others positions, they have more stimuli > 20 km/h, covering higher distances >20 km/h; these stimuli makes them to perceive less recovered than defenders, defense and attack midfielders (p<0.05). Moreover, the defenders are those who cover lower distances by the minute and the defense midfielders are those who present the lower Peak Velocity (p<0.05). There were no significant differences between GPS variables, internal load and recovery. In addition, it was found a correlation between the external and the internal load (r=0.66; p=0.001). Conclusionsː The GPS variables and the perceived recovery are influenced by the playing position, but not by the match outcome.

Does the distribution of the weekly training load account for the match results of elite professional soccer players?

“…In opposition to our data, Conde et al [19] found no difference on recovery measured 40 h40 hours after the matches by perceived recovery scale. Although our study did not use the same scale, we speculate that we could obtain different results in MD+1.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, only one study has tried to understand if there is any difference between the results of a soccer match (win, draw and defeat) for the internal training load of elite professional players [18] and one regarding internal and external TL combined [4], but none with relation to the match result situation, simultaneously. In order to reach a better sport approach, the match result may influence the external and internal TL applied and vice-versa [19]. We consider it is crucial to understand whether the periodization of the internal and external TL of the microcycles throughout the in-season influences the performance of the players through match result (win, draw or defeat).…”

Neuromuscular Fatigue in Cerebral Palsy Football Players after a Competitive Match According to Sport Classification and Playing Position

“…With regard to the playing positions, no differences were found in the perceived load variables in the competitive match. These findings are consistent with what has been found in previous studies during matches with nondisabled professional football players [44,45]. However, other studies reported differences according to the perceived load exertion and playing position during competitive matches [24,25,46].…”

Acute Responses of Youth Elite Players to a Football Match in Terms of Blood Markers

“…Concerning high-intensity requirements, athletes perform between 150 and 250 actions between 15 and 20 m, representing about 30% of the total match duration [ 9 ]. In addition, the total distance covered by players in sprints usually comprises between 5 and 10% of the total distance covered [ 9 , 10 ], with a frequency of one action every 90 s [ 9 ].…”