RUNNING PERFORMANCE IN BRAZILIAN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS DURING A CONGESTED MATCH SCHEDULE

Author(s)

Palucci Vieira, Luiz H. ^{[1, 2]} ; Aquino, Rodrigo ^{[2, 3, 4]} ; Lago-Penas, Carlos ^[5] ; Munhoz Martins, Guilherme H. ^[6] ; Puggina, Enrico F. ^{[2, 3]} ; Barbieri, Fabio A. ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ, Phys Educ Dept, Human Movement Res Lab, Campus Bauru, Bauru - Brazil

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, FMRP Fac Med Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Sch Phys Educ & Sport Ribeirao Preto, Campus Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

^[4] Univ Porto, Fac Sports, CIFI2D, Porto - Portugal

^[5] Univ Vigo, Fac Educ & Sports Sci, Pontevedra - Spain

^[6] Botafogo FC, Performance Dept, Ribeirao Preto - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING RESEARCH; v. 32, n. 2, p. 313-325, FEB 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of playing congested fixtures (2 matches a week) on running performance of Brazilian professional football players, pooled (all performance files regardless players' rotation between games) or individualized data treatment (including only files of athletes' who played pair(s) of noncongested-congested matches which occurred on the same week). Forty participants were observed 1-37 times during 59 official matches over 3 years. Global positioning system devices were used to compute total distance covered, maximal sprinting speed mean speed (V-AVERAGE), and high-intensity activities (HIA: >= 15 km.h(-1)). Independent variables included match status (win, draw, and lose), location (home and away), opponent quality (weak and strong), competitive standard (national and state), team formation (4-4-2 and 4-3-3), and position (defender, mid-fielder, and forward). Student's t-test, effect sizes (d), and magnitude-based inferences were performed to detect differences between congested and noncongested fixtures for each independent factor. Overall, pooled and individualized data treatment revealed contrasting results. The first showed chances of positive outcomes playing congested matches (possibly to very likely; d = 0.09-0.55), for all variables, as using 4-4-2 and state tournament. Conversely, individualized data analysis revealed that during national leagues (possibly; d = 0.24) or forward position (likely; d = 0.70), the players presented reduced HIA when played congested than noncongested periods (p <= 0.05). Using 4-3-3 (d = 0.26) or when draw (d = 0.41), possibly lower HIA was also identified. Coaching staff should be aware of performance oscillations such as detrimental effects on HIA during congested periods. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/16164-5 - Effects of strength training with vascular occlusion on motor performance in young adults
• Grantee: Enrico Fuini Puggina
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants