Variations of Training Workload in Micro- and Meso-Cycles Based on Position in Elite Young Soccer Players: A Competition Season Study

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to quantify the matches and training workload in micro-cycles of an elite young soccer team considering field position and to explain meso-cycles based on change of weekly acute (wAWL), chronic load (wCWL), acute-to-chronic workload ratio, training monotony (wTM), and training strain (wTS) between early-, mid-, and end-season periods considering playing position and whole team. Twenty-six under-16 elite young soccer players participated in this study, including six wide defenders and wide midfielders (WM), five central defenders (CD) and central midfielders, and four strikers (ST). Daily monitoring was performed by players for 20 weeks with the rating of perceived exertion using the Borg CR-10 scale. In comparison with early-season, results showed that there was a significant increase, in all playing positions, in wAWL and wCWL (except ST) and in wTM (except CD and ST) compared with end-season. On the other hand, there were significant reductions in wTS in CD, WM, and ST at the end-season. According to the results, coaches should consider the field position in different situations. Differences between training workload and matches can be a good guide for coaches, who have a special understanding of what causes the most load in training programs. Excessive training workload can potentially cause injury to adolescent athletes and controlling wTM can prevent this.

Somatotype, Accumulated Workload, and Fitness Parameters in Elite Youth Players: Associations with Playing Position

“…While Taylor [49] states that in soccer, the best players can reach VO 2max levels of 65-70 mL•kg −1 •min −1 , depending on their age, level of individual performance and position on the pitch, Slimani et al [3] consider a wide range between 48 and 62 mL•kg −1 •min −1 and specifically, by position, they reported 48.4-57.5 mL•kg −1 •min −1 for GK, 53.2-62.8 mL•kg −1 •min −1 for DF, 54.7-63 mL•kg −1 •min −1 for CM, and 54.5-62.9 mL•kg −1 •min −1 for FW. Regarding pre-season, our data seems to be in line for all FW, CM, WG and DF, which presented similar values between 48.6 and 50.1 mL•kg −1 •min −1 with the exception of GK who presented the lowest value (41.5 mL•kg −1 •min −1 ).…”

“…Soccer has specific requirements in different competitive levels, playing positions and age categories [1]. Soccer is multifactorial and conditioned by multiple variables such as Children 2021, 8, 375 2 of 17 anthropometric, body composition, somatotype, physical, physiological, and soccer-specific skills [2,3]. In this sense, scientific research regarding these topics has been developed, but still provides inclusive information [4].…”

Fluctuations in Well-Being Based on Position in Elite Young Soccer Players during a Full Season

“…All considerations, accuracies, and measurement methods were based on the same project and previous articles of the present study [20,23,28]. These measurements were taken in the morning by a person with more than 6 years of research experience in this scope of study [29][30][31].…”

Association Between Endocrine Markers, Accumulated Workload, and Fitness Parameters During a Season in Elite Young Soccer Players

“…The players competed in the best premier league in Iran. They were organized based on game positions (Nobari et al, 2021g ): three goalkeepers (GK), three forwards (FWs), four center midfielders (CMs), four center halves (CHs), five fullbacks (FBs), and five wingers (WGs). The three inclusion criteria were: each player information is reported in at least 90% of training sessions; they were not allowed to participate in other exercises than team training; players who did not participate in the match each week held a training session to balance training respect to those who played.…”