Match Physical Performance of Elite Female Soccer Players During International Competition

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to provide a detailed analysis of the physical demands of competitive international 3 female soccer match-play. A total of 148 individual match 4 observations were undertaken on 107 outfield players 5 competing in competitive international matches during the 6 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 seasons, using a computerized 7 tracking system (Prozone Sports Ltd., Leeds, England). Total 8 distance (TD) and total high-speed running distances (THSR) 9 were influenced by playing position, with central midfielders 10 (CM) completing the highest (10985±706 m and 2882±500 m) 11 and central defenders (CD) the lowest (9489±562 m and 12 1901±268 m) distances, respectively. Greater total very high-13 speed running (TVHSR) distances were completed when a 14 team was without (399±143 m) compared to with (313±210 m) 15 possession of the ball. The majority of sprints were over short 16 distances with 76 % and 95 % being less than 5 m and 10 m, 17 respectively. Between half reductions in physical performance 18 were present for all variables, independent of playing position. 19 The current study provides novel findings regarding the 20 physical demands of different playing positions in competitive 21 international female match-play and provides important 22 insights for physical coaches preparing elite female players for 23 competition. 24 25 Match physical performance of elite female soccer players 2

The Physical Demands of NCAA Division I Women’s College Soccer

“…Total distance covered at the Division I collegiate level differs from the international level. Although some overlap is apparent, a total distance of 9486 m (9186-9786 m) covered by college females appears lower than international and professional players from Sweden [4,14,19], Denmark [2,4,14,19], Brazil [22], Australia [12,19], USA [14,19], and other European countries [11,19,31] which ranged from 9630-10,750 m. As a result, we can speculate that the lower physical demands of women's soccer at the collegiate level are likely inadequate to prepare players for international competition.…”

“…Quantifying total distance provides an estimate of total running volume, additionally, it has historically been one of the most common variables studied [25]. According to Bangsbo [26], although the majority of distance is covered at low-speeds, periods of high intensity running are crucial to the outcomes of football matches by directly impacting goal-scoring opportunities [11]. Furthermore, the amount of high-speed running has been found to distinguish top-class players from those at lower levels [1,2,6], with top-class players covering 28% and 58% more high-speed running and sprint distances, respectively [24].…”

“…However, even with a growing interest in sport science and performance, a thorough understanding of the physical demands of women's college soccer remains to be extensively explored. In general, research into women's soccer has been scarce [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] leaving gaps in the literature regarding depth and breadth of information detailing the physical demands at different standards of play, particularly at the collegiate level [13]. In addition, many of the studies to date which have been published have been completed using small sample sizes with regard to number of players, number of matches, or both [4,6,11,14,15].…”

Are Current Physical Match Performance Metrics in Elite Soccer Fit for Purpose or Is the Adoption of an Integrated Approach Needed?

“…Acceleration and metabolic cost indices have been progressively introduced alongside this approach, with the former a welcome addition 4,27 whilst the latter remains controversial 28 . Despite the simplistic nature of the 'traditional' approach, researchers have still been able to reveal the rudimental demands of various positions, 10, 11 competitive standards, 6,29,30 sex, [31][32][33] formations, 34 and match related fatigue patterns. 5,6 However, at present a new 'integrated' approach that contextualizes match physical performance would surely progress the fields understanding of the global demands and assimilate the physical and tactical data more effectively.…”

Repeated Sprint Ability with Ball Performance among University Soccer Players: The Influence of Direction

“…Soccer is one of sport that require players to perform a variety of actions such as strength, power, speed, agility, balance, stability, flexibility and endurance [1][2][3]. During a soccer match, the players will totally move approximately 10 to 12 km, including sprint runs every 90 seconds (11% of total activity) with each action averaging 2 to 4 seconds and covering 15 meters [4].…”