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Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2286-3914
Training & Testing

Influence of the Number of Players on the Load of Soccer Players During Transition Games

Jose A. Asian-Clemente
1   Department of Sport Sciences, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
3   Football Science Institute, FSI lab, Granada, Spain
,
Alberto Rabano-Muñoz
1   Department of Sport Sciences, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
3   Football Science Institute, FSI lab, Granada, Spain
,
Bernardo Requena
3   Football Science Institute, FSI lab, Granada, Spain
,
Luis Suarez-Arrones
1   Department of Sport Sciences, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
2   FC Lugano, Performance Departament, Lugano, Switzerland
3   Football Science Institute, FSI lab, Granada, Spain
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Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the effect of different compositions in transition games (TGs) on the load of soccer players and to evaluate their performance in physical tests. Using a GPS system, 18 players were monitored during: 3vs2, 2vs1 and 1vs1. Distance covered (DC), DC 18–20.9 km·h-1, 21–23.9 km·h-1,>24 km·h-1, peak speed, accelerations (Acc) and decelerations (Dec)>1.0 m·s-2 and>2.5 m·s-2 and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded. Before and after each TG, countermovement-jump (CMJ), 15- (S15) and 30 m (S30) speed tests were assessed. TG3vs2 showed greater DC and Dec>1.0 m·s-2 than TG2vs1, and DC, DC 18.0–23.9 km·h-1, Acc>1.0 m·s-2 and Dec>2.5 m·s-2 than TG1vs1 (p<0.01). TG2vs1 achieved higher DC, DC 18.0–23.9 km·h-1, and Acc>2.5 m·s-2 (p<0.01) but lower peak speed (p=0.02) and RPE (p=0.02) than TG1vs1. Post-intervention, TG1vs1 showed lower CMJ and higher S15 (p=0.02), while TG3vs2, showed improvements in CMJ (p<0.01). The three tasks showed large variations for DC>24 km·h-1, Acc>1.0 m·s-2, Dec>1.0 m·s-2 and Dec>2.5 m·s-2. The load of TGs is sensitive to their player composition.

Keywords

time-motion - football - counterattack - test - high-speed running


Publication History

Received: 29 January 2024

Accepted: 12 March 2024

Accepted Manuscript online:
12 March 2024

Article published online:
22 April 2024

© 2024. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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