Comparison among U-17, U-20, and Professional Female Soccer in the GPS Profiles during Brazilian Championships

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare and characterize the physical demand of official matches among under-17 (U-17), under-20 (U-20), and professional (Pro) female soccer players. All matches were from the U-17, U-20, and Pro National Brazilian Championships. Fourteen Pro matches, nine U-20 matches, and four U-17 matches were analyzed. The external load was measured by the global positioning system (GPS) and the internal workload was assessed by the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) multiplied by the duration of the match. The activity profiles measured were total distance covered (km), total sprint distance (m) (speed > 18 km·h−1), number of accelerations and decelerations (between 1 and 2 m·s−2 and >3 m·s−2), and top speed (km·h−1). For the analysis, we standardized all the metrics (except the top speed) by the time (in minutes) played. The Pro group presented higher sprint distances, number of accelerations and decelerations, and top speeds, compared to U-20 and U-17. There was no difference in the total distance among groups, and there was no difference in any GPS metrics between U-20 and U-17. The RPE was higher in Pro and U-17, compared to U-20; however, the workload-RPE was higher in Pro, compared to both U-17 and U-20 groups. These findings provide important information for the evolution of physical performance according to age categories in elite female soccer players.

Match demands of female team sports: a scoping review

“…Female players covered a total distance of 9556 ± 795 m and 103 ± 6 m × min −1 during matches [ 30 – 41 , 43 , 45 , 48 – 63 , 65 – 70 ]. Considering zones of intensity, women soccer players performed 1429 ± 702 m in MSR, 830 ± 1414 m in HSR and 267 ± 275 m in sprinting; other studies presented these variables relative to time (MSR = 15 ± 7 m × min −1 ; HSR = 4 ± 1 m × min −1 ; sprinting = 3 ± 2 m × min −1 ) [ 30 , 33 , 37 , 47 , 49 , 55 , 58 , 66 , 68 – 70 ]. Regarding the number of sprints, the players did a mean of 30 ± 19 sprint actions per match [ 34 , 45 , 53 , 54 , 58 , 61 , 67 ].…”

“…Moreover, studies [ 32 – 35 , 41 , 43 , 46 , 48 , 54 , 56 , 63 , 65 , 67 , 69 , 70 ] reported that female players completed a total of 165 ± 129 ACC and 146 ± 141 DEC actions during the match. These actions were also presented in frequency per minute [ 30 , 43 , 48 , 49 , 54 , 57 , 66 , 68 ], distance travelled [ 31 , 36 ] and duration [ 38 ] ( Table 2 ).…”

Modeling of Ankle Joint Range of Motion and Landing Quality Scores in Female Soccer Players with Quantile Regression Approach

“…On the other hand, the lack of a signi cant correlation between the DF-ROM level of elite female soccer players and the quality of landing during SSJL can be attributed to various factors. Elite athletes have a lower injury rate than amateur athletes [30], exhibit better attention and decision-making processes [31], and achieve higher sports performance outcomes [11]. This may explain the statistically non-signi cant results for elite soccer players.…”

“…Although the relationship between DF-ROM and SSJL has been evaluated in male soccer players [9], the relationship between DF-ROM levels and soccer-speci c landing quality in female soccer players has not been investigated. Moreover, considering the physical performance differences between elite and amateur female athletes [11], the level of relationship between DF-ROM and SSJL may also vary depending on the athlete pro les. On the other hand, evaluating the current subject area with traditional correlation tests may hinder interpreting the relationship between DF-ROM and SSJL in elite and amateur female soccer players.…”

Rendimiento físico en función del tiro a puerta en el fútbol femenino cubano, primera categoría.

“…Por otra parte, no se coincide tal como se indica en las comparaciones con los valores referenciales de estudios en competiciones de máximo nivel internacional reportados por Bradley y Scott (2020). Las distancias totales, luego de un procesamiento, demuestran menores valores comparados con los resultados obtenidos sobre las diferencias o no de equipos u17 y u20 de competiciones brasileñas (Kobal et al, 2022), donde se hace una caracterización de equipos profesionales. Igual sucede cuando se contrasta con los datos aportados por Choice et al (2022), sobre jugadores participantes en la liga profesional, primera y tercera división.…”