Intensity of training workouts and match in professional soccer players

Ioannis Ispyrlidis 1, *, Vassilios Gourgoulis 1, Michail Mitrotasios 2 and Nikolaos Mantzouranis 1

1 Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, 69100, Komotini, Greece.
2 Department of Physical Education & Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17237, Athens, Greece.
 
Research Article
International Journal of Scientific Research Updates, 2022, 04(01), 057–063.
Article DOI: 10.53430/ijsru.2022.4.1.0086
Publication history: 
Received on 18 June 2022; revised on 23 July 2022; accepted on 22 July 2022
 
Abstract: 
The aim of this study was to compare the internal and external loading between official matches and the in-season qualitative trainings in soccer. Nine professional soccer players (N=9) aged 29.5±2.75yrs, with body mass of 74.9±5kg, stature 180±14cm and body fat of 7±1.6% participated in the study. The selected parameters were recorded by the use of a Polar Team Pro GPS system in both two official matches and in two of the most demanding trainings in a period of 4 microcycles. The players’ loads duration in a max heart rate (HRmax), the covered distance and the amount of accelerated/decelerated runs were measured. The paired samples t-test revealed that the load time (min) with heart rate close to 50–59.9 and 60–83.9 %HRmax was significantly greater during trainings, rather than the match. On the contrary, when the players’ heart rate corresponded to 84–89.9 and 95–100 the values of HRmax were significantly greater during the match. In addition, the covered distance with a playing intensity of 19.8-24.99km.h-1 and >25km.h-1 was lower while the amount of accelerated and decelerated runs was greater during training, in comparison to the match. These findings suggest that, to become the soccer players able to respond in match conditions, coaches should replace the low intensity loads with higher, simulating as close as possible the demands of the official match.
 
Keywords: 
Soccer; Training; GPS; Heart rate; Covered distances; Match
 
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