Seasonal Accumulated Workloads in Collegiate Women’s Soccer: A Comparison of Starters and Reserves

Abstract

Research quantifying the unique workload demands of starters and reserves in training and match settings throughout a season in collegiate soccer is limited. Purpose: The purpose of the current study is to compare accumulated workloads between starters and reserves in collegiate soccer. Methods: Twenty-two NCAA Division III female soccer athletes (height: 1.67 ± 0.05 m; body mass: 65.42 ± 6.33 kg; fat-free mass: 48.99 ± 3.81 kg; body fat %: 25.22 ± 4.78%) were equipped with wearable global positioning systems with on-board inertial sensors, which assessed a proprietary training load metric and distance covered for each practice and 22 matches throughout an entire season. Nine players were classified as starters (S), defined as those playing >50% of playing time throughout the entire season. The remaining 17 were reserves (R). Goalkeepers were excluded. A one-way ANOVA was used to determine the extent of differences in accumulated training load throughout the season by player status. Results: Accumulated training load and total distance covered for starters were greater than reserves ((S: 9431 ± 1471 vs. R: 6310 ± 2263 AU; p < 0.001) and (S: 401.7 ± 31.9 vs. R: 272.9 ± 51.4 km; p < 0.001), respectively) throughout the season. Conclusions: Starters covered a much greater distance throughout the season, resulting in almost double the training load compared to reserves. It is unknown if the high workloads experienced by starters or the low workloads of the reserves is more problematic. Managing player workloads in soccer may require attention to address potential imbalances that emerge between starters and reserves throughout a season.

Analysis of Accumulated Workloads and Performance Testing Across a Collegiate Women's Lacrosse Season

“…Unlike A vg W, A cc W considers total volume and intensity accrued throughout an entire season to reflect the total work completed. Although initial reports on the accumulated physical loading experience of athletes highlight potential utility as a method of chronic workload quantification (11,25,35), its application in research has been limited to the sport of soccer.…”

Fixture Congestion has Minimal Impact on External Workloads in Collegiate Soccer Players

“…While great strides have been made in understanding the physical requirements of elite level soccer in recent decades, there is a lack of inquiry surrounding match play in collegiate soccer in the US. Preliminary work has revealed the physical demand of men's 3,4 and women's 5,6 collegiate soccer, with both practice and competition contributing to high accumulated workloads over the course of a competitive season. Interestingly, it has been suggested the format of collegiate soccer in the US may also present distinct challenges not seen in other competition levels.…”

Exercise Evaluation and Prescription—Second Edition

“…The TRIMP model was originally designed to work using training heart rate (HR) and time, but more recent studies have shown that it could work using RPE and time, resulting in the session RPE (sRPE) [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. More recent studies have suggested that it could be understood using responses during the warm-up for subsequent exercise bouts [ 10 ], questionnaires [ 11 ], HR variability (HRV) [ 12 , 13 , 14 ], or training intensity distribution [ 15 , 16 , 17 ]. In any case, the process of monitoring training using any tool appears to be a useful method of evaluating the exerciser (athlete fitness rehabilitation) and optimizing exercise prescription [ 18 ].…”

“…Several studies were carried out in collegiate soccer players [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Aiming to compare accumulated workloads between starters and reserves in collegiate soccer, Jagim et al [ 12 ] reported a greater distance covered by starters throughout the season, resulting in almost double the training load compared to reserves.…”

“…Several studies were carried out in collegiate soccer players [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. Aiming to compare accumulated workloads between starters and reserves in collegiate soccer, Jagim et al [ 12 ] reported a greater distance covered by starters throughout the season, resulting in almost double the training load compared to reserves. The authors suggested the management of player workloads in collegiate soccer to address potential imbalances between starters and reserves throughout a season.…”