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

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the external load of amateur male players during 4 consecutive training microcycles (M) at the beginning of the in-season according to the training session in absolute external load demands and in relation to the competition demands. Methods: Regional-level players (n = 10; age, 20.8 ± 1.7 years; height, 175.5 ± 3.8 cm; body mass, 69.7 ± 2.9 kg; soccer experience, 13.2 ± 2.5 years) were monitored using GPS devices during training sessions and matches. The external load variables measured were: duration (min); total distance covered (TD); distance covered at high-speed (HID, 14.4-19.8 km/h); distance covered at sprinting (SPD; >19.8 km/h); and distance covered in high intensity acceleration (ACD; >2.5 m/s 2) and deceleration (DECD; <-2.5 m/s 2). Results: The results indicated that the external load variables (time, HID, SPD, ACD, and DECD) were similar between the four microcycles. Greater (p<0.01) time, TD, HID and SPD were observed in match day (MD)-2 compared to MD+1, MD-3, and MD-1. Aside from training duration, all external loads variables (TD, HID, SPD, ACD, and DECD) were lower during training sessions compared to official matches (p<0.05). Conclusion: Amateur soccer players present relative stable external training loads across competitive microcycles, with the peak load observed two days before the official match. Besides this, the match constitutes the highest load during a typical competitive microcycle in this cohort of players.

Monitoring Accumulated Training and Match Load in Football: A Systematic Review

“…The MD-1 was the lowest load in various studies whereas Owen et al [99] presented a higher ACC/DEC in MD-1 than MD-2. At amateur level, the MD+1 and MD-1 were less loading [91]. The observed main findings seemed to have been converging in a strategy tapering based on a gradual reduction until the last day before MD.…”

“…Similarly, Owen et al [99] demonstrated that the MD-4 and MD-3 were the highest intensity and volume within the weekly microcycle, revealing a weekly highest load closer to MD. Anderson et al [87] and Sanchez-Sanchez et al [91] verified the greatest load in MD-3 and MD-2, respectively. The MD-1 was the lowest load in various studies whereas Owen et al [99] presented a higher ACC/DEC in MD-1 than MD-2.…”

“…As well as that, a large weekly variation was found for the same type of day. That may exceed the recommendations to progressively load increase (between 5 and 15%) [91]. Regardless of the stage of development, Coutinho et al [48] also observed an unloading on the MD-1.…”

“…The mid-season also showed a reduction in training volume [70]. On the other hand, the training time and typical weekly training load did not differ within microcycles in amateur football [91]. Wrigley et al [60] also established that stage of development could influence variations within the weekly microcycle.…”

Quantifying Sub-Elite Youth Football Weekly Training Load and Recovery Variation

“…Our main findings seem to be convergent in a strategy tapering based on a gradual reduction until the last day before MD. Normally, the training load pattern presents a progressive increase up to MD-3 and/or MD-4 followed by a decrease until MD-1 [21,[54][55][56]. In what concerns youth football, the literature reported an unloading prior to the pre-match training session [19,31,56].…”