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IMPACT OF 3- VS. 4-DAY PERIODS WITH TRAINING ON MATCH LOAD IN FEMALE SOCCER PLAYERS

Abstract

The demands of soccer contribute to fatigue and require an extended recovery period. PURPOSE: To compare match load performance between 3- (3D) vs. 4-day (4D) periods with training between matches in NCAA Division 1 female soccer players. METHODS: Match day loads of 11 NCAA Division 1 female soccer players were analyzed over 10 matches that followed either a 3D or 4D period during a fall season. Individual player workload data was collected using a STATSports Apex GPS system, where athletes wore a heart rate strap and GPS unit during all matches. External load metrics analyzed included total minutes played (TMP), total distance (TD), sprint distance (SD), absolute high-speed running distance (HSRaD), speed intensity (SI), maximal speed, acceleration (accel) count, deceleration (decel) count, sprint count, impact count, and total loading (TL). Internal load metrics analyzed were average and maximum heart rate (HRmax) and red zone time (time at a heart rate 85% of HRmax). Data were analyzed using paired t-tests (alpha level 0.05). Cohen’s D effect sizes (ES) are reported and interpreted as follow: < 0.2 = trivial, 0.2 – 0.6 = small, 0.6 – 1.2 = moderate, 1.2 – 2.0 = large, and > 2.0 = very large. RESULTS: Players exhibited greater workloads after a 4D versus a 3D period for TD (10601 2174 vs. 10164 2103 m, respectively; p = 0.05; ES = 0.2), HSRaD (1163 407 m vs. 10 48 331 m, respectively ; p = 0.02; ES = 0.3), SI (517 107 vs. 492 102 au, respectively; p = 0.03; ES = 0.2), and the number of accel (46 17 vs. 42 15, respectively; p = 0.03; ES = 0.2) and decel (56 17 vs. 51 16, respectively; p = 0.02; ES = 0.3). Players had fewer impacts (81 33 vs 92 38, respectively; p = 0.008; ES = 0.3), indicating that during these games they were able to move more readily on and off the ball, staying mentally engaged and avoiding collisions. No significant differences were found between match days for TMP, SD, maximum speed, sprint count, TL, average or HRmax, or red zone time (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: 4D periods between matches result in significantly higher match-day workloads and similar internal loads compared to 3D periods, revealing that players lack recovery for matches occurring after a 3D period. Coaches and staff should collectively administer evidence-based recovery methods to allow teams to optimize recovery for short interval periods between match days.

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