Int J Sports Med 2018; 39(07): 502-507
DOI: 10.1055/a-0608-4738
Physiology & Biochemistry
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Occurrence of Repeated High Acceleration Ability (RHAA) in Elite Youth Football

Fabio R. Serpiello
1   Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
,
Grant M. Duthie
1   Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
2   School of Exercise Science, Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, Australia
,
Codey Moran
1   Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
,
Damian Kovacevic
1   Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
,
Erch Selimi
1   Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
,
Matthew C. Varley
1   Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 04 April 2018

Publication Date:
05 June 2018 (online)

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence of Repeated High-Acceleration Ability (RHAA) bouts in elite youth football games using 10-Hz GPS devices and two relative thresholds derived from players’ actual maximal acceleration. Thirty-six outfield soccer players (age 14.9±0.6 years) participated in the study. Players wore 10-Hz GPS units during 41 official games. High accelerations were defined as efforts commencing above a threshold corresponding to 70% (T70%) or 80% (T80%) of the average 5-m acceleration obtained during a 40-m sprint test; RHAA bouts were defined as ≥3 efforts with ≤45 s recovery between efforts. Results were analysed via generalised linear mixed model and magnitude-based inferential statistics. On average, 8.0±4.6 and 5.1±3.5 bouts were detected in an entire game using T70% and T80%, respectively. When all positions were analysed together, there was a very-likely small difference in the number of RHAA bouts between first and second half for T70% and T80%, respectively. RHAA bouts occur frequently in elite youth football, with small differences between halves and between playing positions within the first or second half in most variables assessed.

 
  • References

  • 1 Barbero-Alvarez JC, Boullosa D, Nakamura FY, Andrin G, Weston M. Repeated acceleration ability (raa): A new concept with reference to top-level field and assistant soccer referees. Asian J Sports Med 2014; 5: 63-66
  • 2 Barron DJ, Atkins S, Edmnundson C, Fewtrell D. Repeated acceleration activity in competitive youth soccer. CEJSSM 2016; 14: 55-61
  • 3 Bradley PS, Ade JD. Are Current Physical Match Performance Metrics in Elite Soccer Fit for Purpose or is the Adoption of an Integrated Approach Needed?. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2018; 18: 1-23
  • 4 Buchheit M, Mendez-villanueva A, Simpson BM, Bourdon PC. Repeated-sprint sequences during youth soccer matches. Int J Sports Med 2010; 31: 709-716
  • 5 Carling C, Le Gall F, Dupont G. Analysis of repeated high-intensity running performance in professional soccer. J Sports Sci 2012; 30: 325-336
  • 6 di Prampero PE, Fusi S, Sepulcri L, Morin JB, Belli A, Antonutto G. Sprint running: A new energetic approach. J Exp Biol 2005; 208: 2809-2816
  • 7 Harriss DJ, Macsween A, Atkinson G. Standards for ethics in sport and exercise science research: 2018 Update. Int J Sports Med 2017; 38: 1126-1131
  • 8 Hopkins WG, Marshall SW, Batterham AM, Hanin J. Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2009; 41: 3-13
  • 9 Impellizzeri FM, Rampinini E, Castagna C, Bishop D, Ferrari Bravo D, Tibaudi A, Wisloff U. Validity of a repeated-sprint test for football. Int J Sports Med 2008; 29: 899-905
  • 10 Murray AM, Varley MC. Activity profile of international rugby sevens: Effect of score line, opponent, and substitutes. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2015; 10: 791-801
  • 11 Osgnach C, Poser S, Bernardini R, Rinaldo R, di Prampero PE. Energy cost and metabolic power in elite soccer: A new match analysis approach. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2010; 42: 170-178
  • 12 Rampinini E, Bishop D, Marcora SM, Ferrari Bravo D, Sassi R, Impellizzeri FM. Validity of simple field tests as indicators of match-related physical performance in top-level professional soccer players. Int J Sports Med 2007; 28: 228-235
  • 13 Schimpchen J, Skorski S, Nopp S, Meyer T. Are “classical” tests of repeated-sprint ability in football externally valid? A new approach to determine in-game sprinting behaviour in elite football players. J Sports Sci 2016; 34: 519-526
  • 14 Spencer M, Lawrence S, Rechichi C, Bishop D, Dawson B, Goodman C. Time-motion analysis of elite field hockey, with special reference to repeated-sprint activity. J Sports Sci 2004; 22: 843-850
  • 15 Varley MC, Aughey RJ. Acceleration profiles in elite Australian soccer. Int J Sports Med 2013; 34: 34-39
  • 16 Varley MC, Fairweather IH, Aughey RJ. Validity and reliability of GPS for measuring instantaneous velocity during acceleration, deceleration, and constant motion. J Sports Sci 2012; 30: 121-127
  • 17 Varley MC, Gabbett T, Aughey RJ. Activity profiles of professional soccer, rugby league and Australian football match play. J Sports Sci 2014; 32: 1858-1866
  • 18 Varley MC, Jaspers A, Helsen WF, Malone JJ. Methodological considerations when quantifying high-intensity efforts in team sport using global positioning system technology. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2017; 12: 1059-1068
  • 19 Vigh-Larsen JF, Dalgas U, Andersen TB. Position specific acceleration and deceleration profiles in elite youth and senior soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 2018; 32: 1114-1122