The Effect of Fixture Congestion on Performance During Professional Male Soccer Match-Play: A Systematic Critical Review with Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background Fixture congestion (defined as a minimum of two successive bouts of match-play, with an inter-match recovery period of < 96 h) is a frequent and contemporary issue in professional soccer due to increased commercialisation of the sport and a rise in the number of domestic and international cup competitions. To date, there is no published systematic review or meta-analysis on the impact of fixture congestion on performance during soccer match play. Objective We sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature related to the effects of fixture congestion on physical, technical, and tactical performance in professional soccer match-play. Methods Adhering to PRISMA guidelines and following pre-registration with the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/fqbuj), a comprehensive and systematic search of three research databases was conducted to identify articles related to soccer fixture congestion. For inclusion in the systematic review and meta-analysis, studies had to include male professional soccer players, a congestion period that contained two matches ≤ 96 h, and have outcome measures related to physical, technical or tactical performance. Exclusion criteria comprised non-male and/or youth players, data that only assessed impact of congestion on injury, used simulated protocols, or were grey literature, such as theses or dissertations. Results Out of sixteen articles included in the systematic review, only five were eligible for the meta-analysis, and the only variable that was measured consistently across studies was total distance covered. Fixture congestion had no impact on total distance covered [p = 0.134; pooled standardized mean difference; Hedge’s G = 0.12 (− 0.04, 0.28)]. Between-study variance, heterogeneity, and inconsistency across studies were moderate [Cochrane’s Q = 6.7, p = 0.150, I2 = 40.7% (CI 0.00, 93.34)]. Data from articles included in the systematic review suggest fixture congestion has equivocal effects on physical performance, with variation between studies and low quality of research design in some instances. Tactical performance may be negatively impacted by fixture congestion; however, only one article was identified that measured this element. Technical performance is unchanged during fixture congestion; however, again, research design and the sensitivity and relevance of methods and variables require improvement. Conclusion Total distance covered is not impacted by fixture congestion. However, some studies observed a negative effect of fixture congestion on variables such as low- and moderate-intensity distance covered, perhaps suggesting that players employ pacing strategies to maintain high-intensity actions. There is a lack of data on changes in tactical performance during fixture congestion. With ever increasing numbers of competitive matches scheduled, more research needs to be conducted using consistent measures of performance (e.g., movement thresholds) with an integration of physical, technical and tactical aspects.

Muscle Damage Biomarkers in Congestion Weeks in English Premier League Soccer Players: A Prospective Study for Two Consecutive Seasons

“…Our study also shows that there is no difference in total distance between players due to playing in a single-or multi-match week, which is similar to other previous research [32], and postgame CK levels were similar to those reported by Bok and Jukic (2020) in Croatian national-team players. In both studies, post-game CK levels were determined in the morning of the first day after the match, less than 24 h post-match.…”

In-Season Internal and External Workload Variations between Starters and Non-Starters—A Case Study of a Top Elite European Soccer Team

“…This is possible given the requirements of the latter to be more involved in active training/matches during that moment of the season and given the likely need to rotate players. In fact, congested fixture periods are linked to the possibility of inducing greater TS [ 8 ], whilst they can impair physical match performance [ 23 , 24 , 25 ] and raise injury risk [ 22 , 26 ]. However, the values for ACWR were all below 1.3, independent of player status (see Table 2 ), which, in theory, may not represent exacerbated injury likelihood [ 27 ], despite the fact that such a question lacks consensus to date (see, for example, Impellizzeri et al [ 28 ]).…”

The Use of Recovery Strategies in Professional Soccer: A Worldwide Survey

“…For instance, during preseason, adaptation to training is key, with cold water treatments perhaps blunting the adaptive responses. 25 However, amid fixture-dense schedules, priority should be performance recovery (as opposed to concerns regarding adaptations) for the subsequent match 3 , with cold water techniques having some efficacy in these regards. 24 Therefore, the lack of compatibility between perceived effectiveness and use of a strategy, both in the current and previous studies 1, 14, 15, 18 , is likely reflective of the equivocal evidence base and lack of explicit evidence-led recommendations endorsing the strategy for accelerating recovery and performance enhancement.…”

“…Recovery strategies are imperative in team sports 1 and elite soccer 2 , where players can compete in ≥60 competitive matches per season with fixture congestion and limited recovery time between matches (2-4 days). 3 Insufficient recovery can impede match performance 2 , negatively affect player health 4 and increase overuse injury-risk. 2 Indeed, teams with lower injury rates within season are more successful in domestic leagues and cup competitions.…”