Luis Casáis

The effects of situational variables on distance covered at various speeds in elite soccer

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the effect of match location, quality of opposition, and match status on distance covered at various speeds in elite soccer. Twenty-seven Spanish Premier League matches played by a professional soccer team were monitored in the 2005–2006 season using a multiple-camera match analysis system. The dependent variables were the distance covered by players at different intensities. Data were analysed using a linear regression analysis with three independent variables: match status (i.e. whether the team was winning, losing or drawing), match location (i.e. playing at home or away), and quality of the opponents (strong or weak). The top-class players performed less high-intensity activity (>19.1 km · h−1) when winning than when they losing, but more distance was covered by walking and jogging when winning. For each minute winning, the distance covered at submaximal or maximal intensities decreased by 1 m (P<0.05) compared with each minute losing. For each minute winning, the distance covered by walking and jogging increased by 2.1 m (P<0.05) compared with each minute losing. The home teams covered a greater distance than away teams during low-intensity activity (<14.1 km · h−1) (P<0.01). Finally, the better the quality of the opponent, the higher the distance covered by walking and jogging. Our findings emphasize the need for match analysts and coaches to consider the independent and interactive effects of match location, quality of opposition, and match status during assessment of the physical component of football performance.

Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of young soccer players according to their playing positions: relevance for competition success.

Lago-Peñas, C, Casais, L, Dellal, A, Rey, E, and Domínguez, E. Anthropometric and physiological characteristics of young soccer players according to their playing positions: relevance for competition success. J Strength Cond Res 25(12): 3358–3367, 2011—The aim of this study was to establish the anthropometric and physiological profiles of young soccer players according to their playing position and to determine their relevance for competition success. Three hundred and twenty-one young male soccer players participated in the study. Players, age 15.63 (±1.82) years, range 12–19 years, were classified into the following groups: Goalkeepers (n = 35), Central Defenders (n = 53), External Defenders (n = 54), Central Midfielders (n = 61), External Midfielders (n = 46), and Forwards (n = 72). The anthropometric variables of participants (height, weight, body mass index, 6 skinfolds, 4 diameters, and 3 perimeters) were measured. Also, their somatotype and body composition (weights and percentages of fat, bone, and muscle) were calculated. Participants performed the 20-m progressive run test to estimate their relative &OV0312;O2max, a sprint test (30 m flat), and 3 jump tests (squat jump, countermovement jump, and Abalakov test). External Midfielders were the leanest and shortest. In contrast, Central Defenders and Goalkeepers were found to be the tallest and heaviest players. They also had the largest fat skinfolds. In general, the results show that heavier and taller young soccer players performed better in vertical jumps and 30-m sprint, whereas leaner players performed better in the 20-m progressive run test. Players were classified into 2 groups according to the final ranking of their teams at the end of the season. Players from successful teams performed slightly better than players from unsuccessful teams in the physiological test, but these differences were not statistically significant. Moreover, players from successful teams were found to be leaner and more muscular than their unsuccessful counterparts.

The Influence of a Congested Calendar on Physical Performance in Elite Soccer

Lago-Peñas, C, Rey, E, Lago-Ballesteros, J, Casáis, L, and Domínguez, E. The influence of a congested calendar on physical performance in elite soccer. J Strength Cond Res 25(8): 2111-2117, 2011—The aim of this study was to investigate recovery via analysis of activity profiles in a professional soccer team over an intense period of matches. A total of 172 outfield players from 27 Spanish League matches played by a professional team during the 2005-2006 season were analyzed using a multiple-camera match analysis system. The dependent variables were the distance covered by players at different intensities. Data were analyzed using an independent-sample t-test and a linear regression analysis with 5 independent variables: the number of matches played per week (1 or 2), match status (i.e., whether the team was winning, losing or drawing), match location (i.e., playing at home or away), quality of the opponents (strong or weak), and the individual playing position of the players. The main finding of this study suggests that the activity profiles of professional soccer players were not influenced by short recovery between matches. Although those players who played 2 matches a week covered less distance at maximal (>23 km·h−1), submaximal (19.1-23 km·h−1), and medium (14.1-19 km·h−1) intensities than those players who played 1 match a week, no significant differences were found. Moreover, results from this study seem to confirm that the elite soccer players´ distance covered at various speeds is dependent on match contextual factors. The top-class players performed less high-intensity activity (>19.1 km·h−1) when winning than when they were losing (p < 0.05), but more distance was covered by walking and jogging when winning (p < 0.05). The home teams covered a greater distance than away teams at low intensity (<14.1 km·h−1) (p < 0.01). Finally, the better the quality of the opponent, the higher the distance covered by walking and jogging.

The Effect of Recovery Strategies on Contractile Properties Using Tensiomyography and Perceived Muscle Soreness in Professional Soccer Players

Abstract Rey, E, Lago-Peñas, C, Lago-Ballesteros, L, and Casáis, L. The effect of recovery strategies on contractile properties using tensiomyography and perceived muscle soreness in professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 26(11): 3081–3088, 2012—The capacity to recover from intense training and matches is considered an important determinant in soccer performance. At present, there is no consensus on the effect of posttraining recovery interventions on subsequent training session. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of active (12 minutes of submaximal running and 8 minutes of static stretching) and passive recovery (20 minutes sit on a bench) interventions performed immediately after a training session on muscle contractile properties using tensiomyography (TMG) and perceived muscle soreness 24 hours after the training. During 2 experimental sessions, 31 professional soccer players participated in a randomized fully controlled trial design. The first session was designed to collect the players TMG and muscle soreness measurements (pretest). After baseline measurements, the participants performed a standardized soccer training during which the heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded to evaluate the training load. At the end of training unit, all the players were randomly assigned to the active recovery group and the passive recovery group. A second experimental session was organized to obtain the posttest values. The players performed the same test, administered in the same order than in the first trial. The results showed that no differences between groups were observed in the HR and RPE. No significant effect because of recovery strategy was found on TMG parameters and perceived muscle soreness.

Relationship Between Performance Characteristics and the Selection Process in Youth Soccer Players

Abstract The purpose of this study was to establish the anthropometric and physical profiles of elite young soccer players according to their playing position, and to determine their relevance for the selection process. One hundred and fifty-six young male soccer players participated in the study. Players were classified into the following groups: Goalkeepers (n=16), Central Defenders (n=26), External Defenders (n=29), Central Midfielders (n=34), External Midfielders (n=28), and Forwards (n=23). Anthropometric variables of participants (body height, body mass, body mass index, 6 skinfolds, 4 diameters, and 3 perimeters) were measured. Participants performed the Yo-Yo test, sprint tests (30 m flat sprint and Balsom agility test) and 2 jump tests (countermovement jump and the Abalakov test). At the end of the season, the technical staff of the club selected some of the players to continue playing on the same team and the rest were not selected. The results show that heavier and taller outfield players performed better in vertical jumps and sprint tests, whereas leaner outfield players performed better in the Yo-Yo test. Fat percentage of selected players was lower than that of the non-selected ones. The rest of the body components were similar in the selected and non-selected players within each playing position. Moreover, the selected players performed slightly better than the non-selected players in the physical test, but these differences were not statistically significant.

The Effect of Immediate Post-Training Active and Passive Recovery Interventions on Anaerobic Performance and Lower Limb Flexibility in Professional Soccer Players

The Effect of Immediate Post-Training Active and Passive Recovery Interventions on Anaerobic Performance and Lower Limb Flexibility in Professional Soccer Players The capacity to recover from intense training, competition and matches is considered an important determinant in soccer performance. At present, there is no consensus on the effect of post-training recovery interventions on subsequent training session. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of active (12 min submaximal running and 8 min of static stretching) and passive recovery (20 min sitting on a bench) interventions performed immediately after a training session on anaerobic performances (CMJ, 20 m sprint and Balsom agility test) and lower limb flexibility 24 h after the training. During two experimental sessions, 31 professional soccer players participated in a randomized fully controlled trial design. The first session was designed to evaluate the players anaerobic performances and lower limb flexibility (pretest). After baseline measurements, participants performed a standardized soccer training during which heart rate and RPE were recorded to evaluate the training load. At the end of the training unit all players were randomly assigned to the active recovery group and the passive recovery group. A second experimental session was organized to obtain the posttest values. Players performed the same test, administered in the same order than in the first trial. No significant differences between groups were observed in heart rate and RPE. No significant effect due to recovery interventions was found on lower limb flexibility and anaerobic performances except CMJ that posttest value was significantly greater in the active recovery group than in the passive group (p < 0.05).

High Speed Running and Sprinting Profiles of Elite Soccer Players

Abstract Real Madrid was named as the best club of the 20th century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. The aim of this study was to compare if players from Real Madrid covered shorter distances than players from the opposing team. One hundred and forty-nine matches including league, cup and UEFA Champions League matches played by the Real Madrid were monitored during the 2001-2002 to the 2006-2007 seasons. Data from both teams (Real Madrid and the opponent) were recorded. Altogether, 2082 physical performance profiles were examined, 1052 from the Real Madrid and 1031 from the opposing team (Central Defenders (CD) = 536, External Defenders (ED) = 491, Central Midfielders (CM) = 544, External Midfielders (EM) = 233, and Forwards (F) = 278). Match performance data were collected using a computerized multiple-camera tracking system (Amisco Pro®, Nice, France). A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for distances covered at different intensities (sprinting (>24.0 km/h) and high-speed running (21.1-24.0 km/h) and the number of sprints (21.1-24.0 km/h and >24.0 km/h) during games for each player sectioned under their positional roles. Players from Real Madrid covered shorter distances in high-speed running and sprint than players from the opposing team (p < 0.01). While ED did not show differences in their physical performance, CD (p < 0.05), CM (p < 0.01), EM (p < 0.01) and F (p > 0.01) from Real Madrid covered shorter distances in high-intensity running and sprint and performed less sprints than their counterparts. Finally, no differences were found in the high-intensity running and sprint distances performed by players from Real Madrid depending on the quality of the opposition.