Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2020; 41(02): 106-112
DOI: 10.1055/a-1014-2809
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Half Soccer Season Induced Physical Conditioning Adaptations in Elite Youth Players

Markel A. Arregui-Martin
1   Athletic Club de Bilbao, Bilbao, Spain
,
Ibai Garcia-Tabar 
2   Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
3   Studies, Research and Sports Medicine Centre (CEIMD), Government of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain
,
Esteban M. Gorostiaga
3   Studies, Research and Sports Medicine Centre (CEIMD), Government of Navarre, Pamplona, Spain
› Author Affiliations Funding: The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of a Spanish government subproject Integration ways between qualitative and quantitative data, multiple case development, and synthesis review as main axis for an innovative future in physical activity and sports research[PGC2018–098742-B-C31] (2019–2021) (Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Programa Estatal de Generación de Conocimiento y Fortalecimiento Científico y Tecnológico del Sistema I + D + i), that is part of the coordinated project New approach of research in physical activity and sport from mixed methods perspective (NARPAS_MM) [SPGC201800X098742CV0].
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 21 August 2019

Publication Date:
16 December 2019 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate training-induced fitness changes and their relationship with training-competition load during half a soccer season (18 wks). Training load [heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE)] and match time were monitored, including 108 training (3 223 individuals) and 23 match sessions, in 38 youth elite male soccer players. Fitness variables were assessed before and after the study. Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test 1 (Yo-Yo IRT1) improved (P<0.001; 90%CI: 418–632 m; ES: 2.14). Anthropometrical, jump, sprint, and change-of-direction measures remained unchanged. Jump test correlated with sprint (r=0.74; P<0.001; SEE=3.38 m·s−1) and Yo-Yo IRT1 (r=−0.58; P=0.005; SEE=4.11 m) tests. Initial sum of 6 skinfolds was associated with changes in this same measure (r=−0.51; P<0.001; SEE=21%). Initial Yo-Yo IRT1 results were related to changes in Yo-Yo IRT1 (r=−0.84; P<0.001; SEE=10%) and match time played (r=0.44; P=0.033; SEE=445 m). Mean RPE records were related to training spent within 75–90% maximal HR (r=0.54; P<0.001; SEE=4%). The half-season was beneficial for endurance running performance but not for lower-limb strength-velocity production capacity. The more aerobically deconditioned players played fewer minutes of match, although they showed the greatest improvements in endurance performance. Non-soccer-specific, scientifically based, and individualized fitness programs in addition to soccer-specific training are recommended.

Key words

European football - internal load - soccer match - preseason - small-sided games - countermovement jump
 

  • References

  • 1 Bangsbo J. The physiology of soccer–with special reference to intense intermittent exercise. Acta Physiol Scand Suppl 1994; 619: 1-155
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Mohr M, Krustrup P, Bangsbo J. Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue. J Sports Sci 2003; 21: 519-528
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Bangsbo J, Mohr M, Krustrup P. Physical and metabolic demands of training and match-play in the elite football player. J Sports Sci 2006; 24: 665-674
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Helgerud J, Engen LC, Wisloff U. et al Aerobic endurance training improves soccer performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2001; 33: 1925-1931
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Osgnach C, Poser S, Bernardini R. et al. Energy cost and metabolic power in elite soccer: A new match analysis approach. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010; 42: 170-178
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Krustrup P, Mohr M, Steensberg A. et al. Muscle and blood metabolites during a soccer game: Implications for sprint performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2006; 38: 1165-1174
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Wisloff U, Helgerud J, Hoff J. Strength and endurance of elite soccer players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998; 30: 462-467
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Faude O, Koch T, Meyer T. Straight sprinting is the most frequent action in goal situations in professional football. J Sports Sci 2012; 30: 625-631
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Stolen T, Chamari K, Castagna C. et al. Physiology of soccer: An update. Sports Med 2005; 35: 501-536
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Hoff J, Helgerud J. Endurance and strength training for soccer players: Physiological considerations. Sports Med 2004; 34: 165-180
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Meylan C, Malatesta D. Effects of in-season plyometric training within soccer practice on explosive actions of young players. J Strength Cond Res 2009; 23: 2605-2613
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Wisloff U, Castagna C, Helgerud J. et al. Strong correlation of maximal squat strength with sprint performance and vertical jump height in elite soccer players. Br J Sports Med 2004; 38: 285-288
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Haugen TA, Tonnessen E, Seiler S. Anaerobic performance testing of professional soccer players 1995-2010. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2013; 8: 148-156
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Arcos AL, Yanci J, Mendiguchia J. et al. Rating of muscular and respiratory perceived exertion in professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 2014; 28: 3280-3288
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Bangsbo J, Iaia FM, Krustrup P. The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test: A useful tool for evaluation of physical performance in intermittent sports. Sports Med 2008; 38: 37-51
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Gorostiaga EM, Granados C, Ibanez J. et al. Effects of an entire season on physical fitness changes in elite male handball players. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2006; 38: 357-366
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Hostrup M, Gunnarsson TP, Fiorenza M. et al. In-season adaptations to intense intermittent training and sprint interval training in sub-elite football players. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2019; 29: 669-677
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Rabbani A, Kargarfard M, Twist C. Fitness monitoring in elite soccer players: Group vs. individual analyses. J Strength Cond Res 2018; DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002700.
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Buchheit M, Simpson MB, Al HH. et al. Monitoring changes in physical performance with heart rate measures in young soccer players. Eur J Appl Physiol 2012; 112: 711-723
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Harriss DJ, Macsween A, Atkinson G. Standards for ethics in sport and exercise science research: 2020 update. Int J Sports Med 2019; 40: 813-817
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Bidaurrazaga-Letona I, Lekue JA, Amado M. et al. Progression in youth soccer: Selection and identification in youth soccer players aged 13–15 years. J Strength Cond Res 2019; 33: 2548-2558
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Barrow HM. Test of motor ability for college men. Res Q 1954; 25: 253-260
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Deprez D, Fransen J, Lenoir M. et al. The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 is reliable in young high-level soccer players. Biol Sport 2015; 32: 65-70
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Foster C. Monitoring training in athletes with reference to overtraining syndrome. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998; 30: 1164-1168
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Hedges LV. Distribution theory for Glass’s estimator of effect size and related estimators. J Educ Stat 1981; 6: 107-128
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Hopkins WG, Marshall SW, Batterham AM. et al. Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41: 3-13
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Garcia-Tabar I, Llodio I, Sanchez-Medina L. et al. Heart rate-based prediction of fixed blood lactate thresholds in professional team-sport players. J Strength Cond Res 2015; 29: 2794-2801
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Gorostiaga EM, Llodio I, Ibanez J. et al. Differences in physical fitness among indoor and outdoor elite male soccer players. Eur J Appl Physiol 2009; 106: 483-491
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Hickson RC. Interference of strength development by simultaneously training for strength and endurance. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1980; 45: 255-263
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Nelson AG, Arnall DA, Loy SF. et al. Consequences of combining strength and endurance training regimens. Phys Ther 1990; 70: 287-294
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Gonzalez-Badillo JJ, Pareja-Blanco F, Rodriguez-Rosell D. et al. Effects of velocity-based resistance training on young soccer players of different ages. J Strength Cond Res 2015; 29: 1329-1338
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Gorostiaga EM, Izquierdo M, Ruesta M. et al. Strength training effects on physical performance and serum hormones in young soccer players. Eur J Appl Physiol 2004; 91: 698-707
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Nassis GP, Brito J, Figueiredo P. et al Injury prevention training in football: let's bring it to the real world. Br J Sports Med 2019; 53: 1328-1329
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 Faude O, Steffen A, Kellmann M. et al. The effect of short-term interval training during the competitive season on physical fitness and signs of fatigue: a crossover trial in high-level youth football players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2014; 9: 936-944
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Casamichana D, Castellano J. Time-motion, heart rate, perceptual and motor behaviour demands in small-sides soccer games: Effects of pitch size. J Sports Sci 2010; 28: 1615-1623
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Buchheit M. Managing high-speed running load in professional soccer players: The benefit of high-intensity interval training supplementation. SPSR 2019; 53: 1-4
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Impellizzeri FM, Rampinini E, Coutts AJ. et al. Use of RPE-based training load in soccer. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2004; 36: 1042-1047
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Manzi V, D'Ottavio S, Impellizzeri FM. et al. Profile of weekly training load in elite male professional basketball players. J Strength Cond Res 2010; 24: 1399-1406
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar