Subscribe to RSS
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1273711
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York
The Effect of a Cold Environment on Physical Activity Profiles in Elite Soccer Match-Play
Publication History
accepted after revision February 3, 2011
Publication Date:
11 May 2011 (online)
Abstract
In this study, the effect of cold temperature on the physical activity profiles of professional soccer players in official match-play was investigated. Computerised motion-analysis was used to analyse performance in 9 players (4 defenders and 5 midfielders) in 4 temperature ranges: ≤5°C (29 matches), 6–10°C (62 matches), 11–20°C (48 matches) and ≥21°C (27 matches). Performance was analysed per minute for total distance covered and distance run in 3 categories: 0.0–14.3 km/h (walking/low/moderate); 14.4–19.7 km/h (running); ≥19.8 km/h (high-intensity). Results showed that while total distance run per minute was unaffected in colder conditions, midfielders ran significantly shorter distances in warmer temperatures: ≥21°C=118.7±6.9 m vs. ≤5°C=124.2±7.1 m, p<0.01; 6–10°C=123.6±6.8 m, p<0.01; and, 11–20°C=123.4±5.4, p<0.05). The total distance covered at 3 intensities and across halves was unaffected by temperature. Similarly, high-intensity efforts across match halves and in the first and final 5-min periods in each half of normal time were unaffected by temperature. In contrast, high-intensity efforts in midfielders across 15-min intervals were affected by temperature with greater distances covered per minute in the 30–45 min period in matches played in temperatures ≤5°C vs. the corresponding period in those played in temperatures ≥21°C (9.1±3.8 m vs. 6.2±3.0 m, p<0.05). The present findings generally suggest that physical performance in professional soccer does not decrease in cold temperatures.
Key words
performance - temperature - motion analysis - football
References
- 1 Armstrong LE. Nutritional strategies for football: counteracting heat, cold, high altitude, and jet lag. J Sports Sci. 2006; 24 723-740
- 2 Carling C, Bloomfield J, Nelsen L, Reilly T. The role of motion analysis in elite soccer: Contemporary performance measurement techniques and work-rate data. Sports Med. 2008; 38 839-862
- 3 Carling C, Dupont G. Are declines in physical performance associated with a reduction in skill-related performance during professional soccer match-play?. J Sports Sci. 2011; 29 63-71
- 4 Dvorak J, Racinais S. Training and playing football in hot environments. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010; 20 (S 03) iv-v
- 5 Galloway SD, Maughan RJ. Effects of ambient temperature on the capacity to perform prolonged cycle exercise in man. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1997; 29 1240-1249
- 6 Gregson W, Drust B, Atkinson G, Salvo VD. Match-to-match variability of high-speed activities in premier league soccer. Int J Sports Med. 2010; 31 237-242
- 7 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. International Journal of Sports Medicine – Ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise Science Research. Int J Sports Med. 2009; 30 701-702
- 8 http://www.lfp.fr/corporate/reglements
- 9 Jett DM, Adams KJ, Stamford BA. Cold exposure and exercise metabolism. Sports Med. 2006; 36 643-656
- 10 Mohr M, Krustrup P, Nybo L, Nielsen JJ, Bangsbo J. Muscle temperature and sprint performance during soccer matches – beneficial effect of re-warm-up at half-time. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2004; 14 156-162
- 11 Mohr M, Mujika I, Santisteban J, Randers MB, Bischoff R, Solano R, Hewitt A, Zubillaga A, Peltola E, Krustrup P. Examination of fatigue development in elite soccer in a hot environment: a multi-experimental approach. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010; 20 (S 03) 125-132
- 12 Nimmo M. Exercise in the cold. J Sports Sci. 2004; 22 898-915
- 13 Ozgünen KT, Kurdak SS, Maughan RJ, Zeren C, Korkmaz S, Yazici Z, Ersöz G, Shirreffs SM, Binnet MS, Dvorak J. Effect of hot environmental conditions on physical activity patterns and temperature response of football players. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2010; 20 (S 03) 140-147
- 14 Reilly T. The Science of Training – Soccer.. London: Routledge; 2007
- 15 Winter EM, Maughan RJ. Requirements for ethics approvals. J Sports Sci. 2009; 27 985
Correspondence
Christopher Carling
LOSC Lille Métropole
Football Club
Domain de Luchin
59780 Camphin-en-Pévèle
France
Phone: +33/6/0392 1861
Fax: +33/1/4891 0793
Email: Chris.carling@free.fr