Weekly variations of biomechanical load variables in professional soccer players: comparisons between playing positions

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the present study was fourfold: (i) to describe the weekly variations of acute external load measures during a professional soccer season; (ii) to analyse the variability of external load measures within weeks; (iii) to analyse the acute:chronic workload ratio of players during the process; and (iv) to analyse the differences of external load measures between playing positions. Methods. Twenty professional soccer players (age: 24.9 ± 3.5 years; body mass: 71.6 ± 18.7 kg; height: 168.8 ± 41.4 cm) from the same team competing in the First Portuguese League (Europe) voluntarily participated in this study. They were daily monitored with a Global Positioning System (GPS) and the following external load variables were extracted per session: (i) total distance; (ii) running distance; (iii) high-speed running distance; (iv) distance at maximal speed; (v) distance at high accelerations; and (vi) players' training load. The acute load and acute:chronic workload ratio were weekly calculated for each of the GPS measures. Results. Week-by-week variations ranged from-57% to +115%, depending on the playing position and the variable measured. The within-week variability revealed coefficients of variation between 48% and 55%, depending on the measure. Considering the differences in mean load between playing positions, significant differences between players were found for the majority of the variables, with the only exceptions being maximal speed and high accelerations distances. Conclusions. Great between-week variations in the acute load as well as the variability of load within weeks were found. It was observed that acute load was position-dependent.

Are acute:chronic workload ratios of perceived exertion and running based variables sensible to detect variations between player positions over the season? A soccer team study

“…These findings are in line with previous studies monitoring workload, supporting that overall ACWR in trainings should be maintained within the ‘ sweet spot’ zone of 0.8–1.3 to minimize injury risk for players during the pre-season and in-season periods [ 11 , 17 , 41 ]. Our results also contrast with some previous study results [ 15 , 18 , 35 ]. Uday et al [ 15 ] showed that the DF had the lowest value in ACWR (1.09 AU) with professional players from a team in First Portuguese League.…”

“…When analysing such workload measures and player positions together, studies are scarce [ 4 , 15 – 17 ]. Recently, it was found that defenders presented higher values of ACWR values than midfielders and strikers [ 17 ].…”

“…Recently, it was found that defenders presented higher values of ACWR values than midfielders and strikers [ 17 ]. One also found that strikers covered higher running speed distances than the defenders and midfielders [ 15 ] while the other found higher values for central midfielders than the other positions [ 17 ]. Other study found that wide defenders and wide midfielders displayed higher acute load for high-speed running distance (HSRD) and number of sprints compared to the remaining positions [ 4 ].…”

Weekly Variations of Well-Being and Interactions with Training and Match Intensities: A Descriptive Case Study in Youth Male Soccer Players

“…Seasonal variations of training intensities [ 14 ] and well-being outcomes [ 15 ] in soccer players have been described. In youth, well-being scores seem to be more stable in the middle of the season, while in early and ending phases of the season presents greater variability [ 15 ].…”

The Effect of COVID-19 Infection on the Aerobic Capacity of Professional Soccer Players.

“…playing position [33], age, and division in which each player participates, as all the above will contribute to the safe and successful return to training and competition. Lastly, further investigation is needed using GPS technology to evaluate to what extend the external load of the infected players was affected.…”