Load Transition Practices in Elite Female Soccer Players
Author Information
Author(s): Rafael Oliveira, Ryland Morgans, Renato Fernandes, João Paulo Brito, Mário C. Espada, Fernando J. Santos
Primary Institution: Santarém Polytechnic University, School of Sport, Rio Maior, Portugal
Hypothesis
The study aims to compare external load during varying microcycles in elite female soccer players.
Conclusion
The study found that players covered more distance and had higher acceleration and deceleration metrics during the pre-season compared to the in-season.
Supporting Evidence
- Players covered more total distance in the first three pre-season microcycles than in the last two.
- High-speed running metrics increased during the pre-season.
- Training load was reduced in the last two weeks of pre-season as a tapering strategy.
Takeaway
The study looked at how much soccer players run and move during training and games, showing they run more in practice before the season starts than during the season.
Methodology
An observational study design was used to monitor external load daily during five microcycles, including four pre-season and one in-season.
Limitations
The study only included one team and a small sample size of 14 players, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Participant Demographics
Participants were 14 professional female soccer players aged 23.29 ± 3.19 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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