Changes in acceleration and deceleration capacity throughout professional soccer match-play.

Mark Russell, William Sparkes, Jonathan Northeast, Christian Cook, Thomas Love, Richard Bracken, Liam Kilduff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

143 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

As the acceleration and deceleration demands of soccer are currently not well understood, this study aimed to profile markers of acceleration and deceleration capacity during professional soccer match-play. This within-player observational study required reserve team players from a Premier League club to wear 10 Hz Global Positioning System units throughout competitive matches played in the 2013/2014 competitive season. Data is presented for players who completed four or more games during the season (n = 11) and variables are presented according to six 15 min intervals (I1-6: 00:00-14:59 min, 15:00-29:59 min, 30:00-44:59 min, 45:00-59:59 min, 60:00-74:59 min, 75:00-89:59 min). During I6, the distance covered (total, per minute, and at high intensity), number of sprints, accelerations (total and high intensity), decelerations (total and high intensity), and impacts were reduced compared to I1 (all P ? 0.05). The number of high intensity impacts remained unchanged throughout match-play (P > 0.05). These findings indicate that high intensity actions and markers of acceleration and deceleration capacity are reduced in the last 15 min of the normal duration of match-play. Such information can be used to increase the specificity of training programmes designed for soccer players while also giving further insight in to the effects of 90 min of soccer-specific exercise. Interventions that seek to maintain the acceleration and deceleration capacity of players throughout the full duration of a soccer match warrant investigation.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2839-2844
JournalJournal of Strength and Conditioning Research
Volume30
Issue number10
Early online date2 Dec 2014
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2016
Externally publishedYes

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