Modelling the decrement in running intensity within professional soccer players. Issue 2 (3rd April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Delaney, Jace A.; Thornton, Heidi R.; Rowell, Amber E.; Dascombe, Ben J.; Aughey, Robert J.; Duthie, Grant M.
• Is Part Of: Science and medicine in football. Volume 2:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 86
• Page End: 92
• Publication Date: 2018-04-03
• Subjects: Global positioning systems -- metabolic power -- acceleration -- football; Soccer injuries -- Periodicals; Soccer -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Soccer -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 617.102763
• DOI: 10.1080/24733938.2017.1383623
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2473-3938

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Knowledge of the most intense periods of competitive soccer may assist in the development of specific training methodologies.Objectives: To quantify the peak running intensity of professional soccer and to establish the rate of decline in this intensity as a function of time.Methods: Activity profiles were obtained from 24 players across 40 professional matches. Peak values were calculated for moving averages 1–10 minutes in duration for relative distance (m∙min −1 ), high-speed relative distance (HS m∙min −1 ), average acceleration/deceleration (m∙s 2 ) and metabolic power (Pmet ). To quantify the decrease in running intensity for longer moving average durations, each measure was evaluated relative to the moving average duration, as a power law relationship.Results: Peak relative distance and Pmet were lowest for central defenders (effect size [ES] = 0.79–1.84), whilst acceleration/deceleration intensity was highest for wide defenders (ES = 0.67–1.42). Differences in the rate of decline in running intensity between positions were considered trivial to small, indicating a similar rate of decline in running intensity across positions.Conclusions: Using power law, the peak running intensities of professional soccer can now be predicted as a function of time, providing coaches with a useful tool for the prescription and monitoring of specific training drills.