Workload Monitoring in Top-level Soccer Players During Congested Fixture Periods

Abstract

This study assessed the internal and external workload of starters and non-starters in a professional top-level soccer team during a congested fixture period. Twenty Serie A soccer players were monitored in this study during two mesocycles of 21 days each. Starters and non-starters were divided based on the match time played in each mesocycle. The following metrics were recorded: exposure time, total distance, relative total distance, high-speed running distance over 20 km·h−1, very high-speed running distance over 25 km·h−1, individual very high-speed distance over 80% of maximum peak speed, and rating of perceived exertion. Differences between starters and non-starters were found for: exposure time (effect size=large to very large), rating of perceived exertion (large to very large), total distance (large to very large), and individual very high-speed distance over 80% of maximum peak speed (moderate to large). Furthermore, differences for relative total distance, high-speed running distance over 20 km·h−1 and very high-speed running distance over 25 km·h−1 were small to moderate, but not significant. This study reports that during congested fixture periods, starters had higher exposure time, rating of perceived exertion, total distance, and individual very high-speed distance over 80% of maximum peak speed than non-starters.

Implementing High-speed Running and Sprinting Training in Professional Soccer

“…Moreover, it has been reported that the sole training sessions planned during a microcycle may fail to replicate the match equivalent HSR and sprinting load [4,22,34,36]. As a consequence, the lack of HSR and sprinting exposure and the missing adequate physiological stimuli, may likely preclude an effective soccer-specific conditioning process, particularly in non-starter players [22,36]. Therefore, soccer coaches should implement different training methods in the days following a match by considering individual players' match time exposure (e. g. starters vs non-starters) for an effective management of HSR and sprinting training [36].…”

“…Therefore, soccer coaches should implement different training methods in the days following a match by considering individual players' match time exposure (e. g. starters vs non-starters) for an effective management of HSR and sprinting training [36]. Alternatively, during congested fixture periods in which the available training time is limited, practitioners may consider to plan dedicated training sessions for non-starters immediately after the match conclusion when logistically feasible [22].…”

“…This approach may result in overestimated HSR exposure for some, or underestimation for others [44]. Accordingly, a very recent study suggested the importance of individualizing speed running thresholds (e. g. > 80 % of player's peak speed) to optimize soccer external load analysis [22]. However, further research is needed to verify the practical validity of this approach because individual thresholds may introduce complexity in data interpretation, and could reduce the possibility and cost-effectiveness in comparing training loads between players and training sessions.…”

“…Lower-limb muscle injuries and especially those affecting the hamstrings can cause massive performance and healthcare burdens among soccer payers [11,[19][20][21]. Therefore, based on the growing evidence on the relationships between HSR and sprinting exposure and injury occurrence, practitioners should consider their accurate monitoring and implementations for injury prevention purposes [22].…”

Is It High Time to Increase Elite Soccer Substitutions Permanently?

“…Recently a study concluded that nonstarters (i.e., substitutes who played) had a lower internal and external load, considering matches and training sessions, during congested schedules [ 30 ], confirming that matches are a crucial training component (i.e., substitutes might be detrained). Allowing soccer to increase substitutions permanently across the games, would potentially be a “game changer”.…”