Resumen de Contextual Variables and Training Load Throughout a Competitive Period in a Top-Level Male Soccer Team
Vincenzo Rago, António Natal Rebelo, Peter Krustrup, Magni Mohr
The aim of the present study was to investigate and quantify the weekly training load (TL) according to different match-related contextual factors in a professional male soccer team (n = 23). Training load was quantified using a 10-Hz global positioning system with integrated 100-Hz accelerometer and heart rate recordings over a 3-month competitive period. Total distance (TD) covered and high-speed running (HSR, >16 km[middle dot]h-1) during training were higher in the week after playing against a bottom-level or top-level opponent compared to a medium-level opponent (p < 0.05; effect size [ES] = 0.30-1.04). TD was also higher when preparing for a match against a bottom-level opponent (p < 0.05; ES = 0.39-0.76). In addition, the percentage of HSR was higher after playing a bottom-level compared to a medium-level opponent (p < 0.001; ES = 0.49 [0.27; 0.71]). TD covered was higher in the week following a draw or a win, and higher before a loss compared to a draw (p < 0.05, ES = 0.32-0.81). Both absolute HSR and HSR expressed as percentage of TD were higher before losing and winning a match compared to a draw (p < 0.05; ES = 0.72-0.98). Weekly TL seems to be slightly affected by match-related contextual variables, with special emphasis on the opponent standard and match outcome. Higher training volume was observed before and after playing against a top-level opponent, and after losing a match, whereas the volume of high-intensity training seems to be higher when preparing for a game against a top-level opponent. Future experimental research should clarify the interaction between match-related contextual variables (e.g., cause) and weekly TL (e.g., effect).
