Analysis of a training mesocycle and positional quantification in elite European soccer players

Abstract

Ensuring adequate levels of training and recovery at the elite level of professional soccer to maximise player performance has continued to drive the necessity to monitor the training load and physical training output of soccer players. The aim of this investigation was to analyse a training mesocycle whilst quantifying positional demands imposed on elite European soccer players. Sixteen players were assessed using global positioning systems and ratings of perceived exertion over a competitive training six-week mesocycle period. The positional demands and training loads were analysed in addition to match conditions (match location, match score) and player's age. Results from the investigation revealed that typical daily training loads (i.e. total distance, high-intensity distance, sprint distance, average speed, ratings of perceived exertion) did not differ throughout each week of the mesocycle in-season period. Further analysis revealed training loads were significantly lower on match day-1 when compared to training loads on match day-2, match day-3 and match day-4 preceding a match (p < 0.05). Significant differences in physical outputs were also found between match day-2, match day-3 and match day-4 highlighting a structured periodised tapered approach (p < 0.05). Lower average speeds were reported in training post-successful matches compared to defeats (p < 0.05), and more specifically when a match was played away compared to home fixtures (p < 0.05). To conclude, practitioners can maintain a uniformed and structured training load mesocycle whilst inducing variation of the physical outputs during the microcycle phase. Additionally, the investigation also provides a tapering approach that may induce significant variation of the positional demands.

Assessment of the external load of amateur soccer players during four consecutive training microcycles in relation to the external load during the official match

“…The analysis of the load of the sessions within the microcycle indicates that TD, HID, and SPD were significantly greater on MD-2 than in the rest of training days (i.e., MD+1, MD-3, and MD-1). Previous studies have already shown this difference in the distribution of loads during the microcycle 16,18 . Such findings support traditional periodization models postulating how training load should vary in order to facilitate optimal physiological adaptation.…”

“…The results revealed that time and typical daily external training loads (i.e., HID, SPD, ACD and DECD) did not differ across the microcycles. Similarly, in professional soccer players, the external load did not change over six consecutive in-season microcycles 16 . Although between-microcycle load variations may aid in the preparation of athletes 28 , in soccer, with a high frequency of official matches, the players need to improve their competitive fitness while minimizing fatigue 15 .…”

“…Another study 15 reported that, aside from the distance covered at high velocity (> 5.5 m/s), other external load variables were lower during the training session before an official match when compared to previous training sessions more distant to the match day. This microcycle dynamics may be necessary to induce optimal physiological and performance recovery before competition 16,17 , in a similar fashion to the responses obtained during taper in other sports 19 .…”

“…In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of studies reporting the external loads of high-level soccer players during training 15,16 , and some even have compared the external load during training with that measured during matches 17,18 . Of note, in one of the aforementioned studies, the external load (i.e., total distance, high-intensity distance, sprint distance and average speed) was measured during 6 consecutive in-season training microcycles (i.e., 1 microcycle = 1 week) in professional soccer players, with no significant variations observed across the 6 microcycles 16 . However, when the external load was compared across training sessions within a competitive microcycle, Owen, Lago-Peñas, Gómez, Mendes, Dellal 16 found lower GPS-derived external load near the competition day compared with the other training days.…”

“…Of note, in one of the aforementioned studies, the external load (i.e., total distance, high-intensity distance, sprint distance and average speed) was measured during 6 consecutive in-season training microcycles (i.e., 1 microcycle = 1 week) in professional soccer players, with no significant variations observed across the 6 microcycles 16 . However, when the external load was compared across training sessions within a competitive microcycle, Owen, Lago-Peñas, Gómez, Mendes, Dellal 16 found lower GPS-derived external load near the competition day compared with the other training days. Similarly, in soccer players from the English Premier League, a greater external load was observed on the second day of training compared to the training day before competition for a given microcycle 18 .…”