Influence of opponent standard on activity profile and fatigue development during preseasonal friendly soccer matches: a team study. Issue 4 (2nd October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rago, Vincenzo; Silva, João; Mohr, Magni; Randers, Morten; Barreira, Daniel; Krustrup, Peter; Rebelo, António
• Is Part Of: Research in sports medicine. Volume 26:Issue 4(2018)
• Page Start: 413
• Page End: 424
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02
• Subjects: Physiology -- accelerations -- performance -- monitoring -- workload; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Athletic Injuries -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine du sport -- Périodiques; 617.102705
• DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2018.1492400
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1543-8627

Abstract

ABSTRACT: We examined the influence of competitive standard of the opponent on activity profile and fatigue during preseason friendly soccer matches. Time motion analysis was performed in a male professional soccer team ( N = 14) during six friendly games played against professional, semi-professional and amateur-level opponents (PL, SPL and AL). The reference team covered higher acceleration distance, acceleration and deceleration > 2 m· s −2 distance against PL than AL (ES = 0.77 to 0.91). Acceleration and deceleration distance > 2 m· s −2 was also higher (ES = 0.66 to 0.84) against SPL than AL. Greater decreases in total distance, distance> 16 km· h −1 and > 22 km· h −1, total acceleration and deceleration, acceleration and deceleration distance > 2 m· s −2 (ES = 0.84 to 2.20) were also observed during PL compared to AL opponent. Playing against a stronger opponent seems to be more physically demanding, with special emphasis on events related with change of velocity (accelerations and decelerations). Declines in physical performance appear more evident against a higher opponent.