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Physical Load Monitoring in Competitive Sport

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Sport and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (14 April 2023) | Viewed by 9931

Special Issue Editors

Department of Didactics of Plastic, Music, and Body Expression, Faculty of Sports Science, University of Extremadura, Avda. de la Universidad, S/N, 10003 Caceres, Spain
Interests: matching physical demands; physical performance; training load; monitoring load; mental load; mental fatigue; teams sport; soccer
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, an exponential increase in empirical research based on the monitoring and assessment of physical load in sports has been observed, specifically about the key role of the strength and conditioning coaches in monitoring training and match load supported by athletes in both individual and team sports. This information, together with the evolution in the load patterns in sports, in terms of external demands, suggests the need to continue investigating how practitioners can monitor physical performance to design specific training tasks which reproduce competition demands, improving physical fitness and reducing injury risk. In this sense, other parameters such as perceived effort, wellness or psychological variables related to players, coaches or teams must be considered to optimize this aim. Additionally, the study of strategies such as monitoring and load quantification in other contexts (e.g., Physical Education lessons) could be interesting. 

We are pleased to inform you that this Special Issue, entitled “Physical Load Monitoring in Competitive Sport”, is focused on answering many questions raised in previous research about the importance that practitioners have in monitoring physical load in sports on their athletes and, in turn, highlighting strategies and practical implications applicable to team sport. These potential articles represent an interesting source of related work and may be very useful for practitioners, coaches and researchers who work with/investigate athletes and physical load. 

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. 

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Juan José Pulido González
Dr. Javier Raya-González
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • physical performance
  • training load
  • sport performance
  • training testing
  • matching physical demands
  • workload
  • movement patterns
  • time motion analysis

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

9 pages, 347 KiB  
Article
Influence of Scoring Systems on Mental Fatigue, Physical Demands, and Tactical Behavior during Soccer Large-Sided Games
by Jesús Díaz-García, José Carlos Ponce-Bordón, Abel Moreno-Gil, Ana Rubio-Morales, Miguel Ángel López-Gajardo and Tomás García-Calvo
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2087; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20032087 - 23 Jan 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1430
Abstract
Constraints are common in soccer training to develop physical, technical-tactical, and mental training concurrently. This study examined how different scoring systems influence physical, tactical, and mental demands during large-sided games in soccer. Eighteen youth-elite male (17.39 ± 1.04 y) soccer players completed three [...] Read more.
Constraints are common in soccer training to develop physical, technical-tactical, and mental training concurrently. This study examined how different scoring systems influence physical, tactical, and mental demands during large-sided games in soccer. Eighteen youth-elite male (17.39 ± 1.04 y) soccer players completed three 8 vs. 8 large-sided games where the different score systems were i) official score system (OSS; i.e., 1 goal = 1 goal), ii) double the value of the goal—4 min (DVx4; i.e., 1 goal = 1 goal from 0.00 to 7.59 min, and 1 goal = 2 goals from 8.00 to 12.00 min), and iii) double the value of the goal—8 min (DVx8; i.e., 1 goal = 1 goal from 0.00 to 3.59 min, and 1 goal = 2 goals from 4.00 to 12.00 min). Physical demands and tactical behaviors were recorded during tasks using a global positioning system and video camera. Mental fatigue was recorded pre- and post-task using a visual analogue scale. Also, the ratio of perceived exertion and mental load were recorded after tasks were finished. Results reported the highest values of mental and physical demands in DVx4. Mental fatigue increased during all three large-sided games, although this increase was significantly higher in DVx4 compared with OSS (p = 0.006) and DVx8 (p = 0.027). Tactical behavior showed a trend towards more direct play during DVx4, which was less observed during DVx8, and not at all during OSS. In conclusion, changing the scoring system affects physical, tactical, and mental demands. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Load Monitoring in Competitive Sport)
9 pages, 358 KiB  
Article
Effect of a Four-Week Soccer Training Program Using Stressful Constraints on Team Resilience and Precompetitive Anxiety
by Juan Martin Tassi, Jesús Díaz-García, Miguel Ángel López-Gajardo, Ana Rubio-Morales and Tomás García-Calvo
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(2), 1620; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph20021620 - 16 Jan 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2025
Abstract
The present study examined the effects of stressful constraints during soccer trainings on psychological skill development and internal load when compared with control (nonstressful) trainings. A total of 51 elite male youth soccer players (27 in the experimental group, M = 16.54 years; [...] Read more.
The present study examined the effects of stressful constraints during soccer trainings on psychological skill development and internal load when compared with control (nonstressful) trainings. A total of 51 elite male youth soccer players (27 in the experimental group, M = 16.54 years; 24 in the control group, M = 15.44 years) participated in the study. In a 12-week longitudinal survey, team resilience, using the Spanish version of the Characteristics of Resilience in Sports Teams Inventory, and anxiety, using the Sport Anxiety Scale, were measured at baseline (after 4 weeks of regular trainings), postprotocol (after 4 weeks of control or experimental trainings), and follow-up (after 4 weeks of regular trainings). Results show that, when compared with the control group, a program with stressful constraints helped young soccer players to develop better psychological skills: specifically, increased ability to cope with impairments in resilience (both resilience characteristics and team vulnerability under pressure; p < 0.001). Increases in anxiety (p = 0.06) and decreases in preoccupation (p < 0.001) and lack of concentration (p < 0.001) were also observed. The adaptation of human behavior to specific trainings may explain these results. In conclusion, the regular exposure of young soccer players to stressful situations during trainings shows benefits for their psychological skill development in soccer. Then, benefits on internal load were also observed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Load Monitoring in Competitive Sport)
11 pages, 380 KiB  
Article
Match Loads May Predict Neuromuscular Fatigue and Intermittent-Running Endurance Capacity Decrement after a Soccer Match
by Diego Marqués-Jiménez, Julio Calleja-González, Iñaki Arratibel-Imaz and Nicolás Terrados
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15390; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph192215390 - 21 Nov 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1538
Abstract
How the match-derived load metrics relate to post-match fatigue in soccer is scarcely researched. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the associations between soccer match-related internal and external loads, neuromuscular performance decrease and intermittent-running endurance capacity decrement immediately post-match. Vertical [...] Read more.
How the match-derived load metrics relate to post-match fatigue in soccer is scarcely researched. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the associations between soccer match-related internal and external loads, neuromuscular performance decrease and intermittent-running endurance capacity decrement immediately post-match. Vertical jump (countermovement jump), straight-line sprinting (10- and 20-m sprint), change of direction ability (T-test) and intermittent-running endurance capacity (YO-YO intermittent recovery level 2) were measured one day before and immediately after a friendly match in male soccer players. During the match, players’ internal and external loads were also monitored, including heart rate-derived indices, total distance at various speed thresholds, average running velocity, maximal running velocity, number of sprints and number of accelerations and decelerations at various intensity thresholds. The results show that match-induced fatigue was reflected on neuromuscular performance and intermittent-running endurance capacity immediately post-match (p < 0.05). The quantification of percentage change of match external-load metrics, particularly accelerations and decelerations, provides a useful non-invasive predictor of subsequent neuromuscular fatigue status in soccer players immediately post-match (p < 0.05). However, only internal load metrics present a practical application for predicting intermittent-running endurance capacity impairment (p < 0.05). In summary, internal and external load metrics may allow for predicting the extent of acute fatigue, and variability between halves may represent a valuable alternative to facilitate the analysis of match-related fatigue both for research and applied purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Load Monitoring in Competitive Sport)
10 pages, 1548 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Weekly Training Load across a Competitive Microcycle on Contextual Variables in Professional Soccer
by Marcos Chena, José Alfonso Morcillo, María Luisa Rodríguez-Hernández, Juan Carlos Zapardiel, Adam Owen and Demetrio Lozano
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(10), 5091; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph18105091 - 11 May 2021
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3845
Abstract
Analysis of the key performance variables in soccer is one of the most continuous and attractive research topics. Using global positioning devices (GPS), the primary aim of this study was to highlight the physiological response of a professional soccer team across competitive microcycles [...] Read more.
Analysis of the key performance variables in soccer is one of the most continuous and attractive research topics. Using global positioning devices (GPS), the primary aim of this study was to highlight the physiological response of a professional soccer team across competitive microcycles in-season according to the most influential contextual performance variables. Determining the training load (TL), a work ratio was established between all recorded data within the training sessions and the competitive profile (CP). Each microcycle was classified in accordance with the contextual variables: opponent level (high, medium, low), match location (home and away) and score (win, draw, lose). Results revealed that the team were significantly more successful (games won) in competitive games against high-level opponents and when played at home. Cumulative microcycle/weekly training load (WTL) was significantly lower when the team won. In addition to the opponent level and the match location, WTL could condition the athlete’s performance in the competition. Competitive performance responses are the main source of information for the planning of training programs. The results of this study could be used as a reference to structure TL and WTL according to contextual variables in the competition. This study, which is the first of its kind, revealed that WTL effects the performance of the players in the competition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Load Monitoring in Competitive Sport)
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