Repeated Acceleration Activity in Competitive Youth Soccer

Abstract

abstract. Soccer match-play is increasingly characterised by short, high-speed bursts reliant on the ability to accelerate. Performance is impaired after peak acceleration activity and during the second half and may compromise a player's effectiveness. To date, information about repeated acceleration sequences is lacking but would provide further insight into high-speed activity during competition. This study examined repeated acceleration ability (RAA) using GPS (5 Hz) and accelerometer (100 Hz), during 14 competitive youth soccer matches from the 2014-2015 season. Results showed that RAA profiles were relatively homogeneous, and there were no significant differences between playing positions. RAA activity was also relatively stable between playing halves and only the activity of forwards declined significantly. In summary, this study suggests that RAA is a generic requirement of match-play at this level but presents a specific focus for conditioning regimens.

Moving Toward a More Comprehensive Analysis of Acceleration Profiles in Elite Youth Football

“…Up to now, few studies in football have investigated multiple acceleration variables, simultaneously (Barberó-Álvarez et al, 2014 ; Barron et al, 2016 ; Sonderegger et al, 2016 ; Abbott et al, 2018a , b ; Serpiello et al, 2018 ; Delaney et al, 2019 ; Martínez-Cabrera et al, 2021 ). Commonly used acceleration variables—including high-intensity efforts (Sonderegger et al, 2016 ; Abbott et al, 2018a , b ; Martínez-Cabrera et al, 2021 ), repeated bouts (Barberó-Álvarez et al, 2014 ; Barron et al, 2016 ; Serpiello et al, 2018 ), and average acceleration (Delaney et al, 2018 , 2019 )—have typically been investigated in isolation, with each variable suffering from unique limitations. Subsequently, any findings may provide a limited representation of what specific acceleration demands had actually occurred.…”

“…The ability to repeatedly accelerate amidst short recoveries may also be important in football (Barron et al, 2016 ; Serpiello et al, 2018 ). Literature investigating repeat high-intensity accelerations in football found that repeated bouts occur frequently in matches (Barron et al, 2016 ; Serpiello et al, 2018 ), suggesting their importance and subsequent need for development.…”

“…The ability to repeatedly accelerate amidst short recoveries may also be important in football (Barron et al, 2016 ; Serpiello et al, 2018 ). Literature investigating repeat high-intensity accelerations in football found that repeated bouts occur frequently in matches (Barron et al, 2016 ; Serpiello et al, 2018 ), suggesting their importance and subsequent need for development. However, a limitation exists when monitoring repeated (and/or single effort) high-intensity accelerations in isolation: any accelerations that have occurred below their predetermined “high-intensity” thresholds are disregarded, efforts that would still carry their own accumulative metabolic cost (Osgnach et al, 2010 ; Beato and Drust, 2021 ).…”