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This study examines differences in weekly load between the first (FT) and the under 19 team (U19) within a professional football setting. Data were collected in 11 FT and 9 U19 players (2016-2017 season). FT data was divided into weeks with (FT-M1) or without (FT-M0) a mid-week match. Indicators were total distance (TD) and TD at 12-15, 15-20, 20-25 and >25 km‧h-1 and were analysed as external load (m), intensity (m‧min-1) and load monotony (a.u.). TD-based load was higher for U19 compared to FT-M0 (very likely moderate) and FT-M1 (likely large). Differences at higher velocities were substantially less (trivial to possibly small), with TD >25 km‧h-1 being lower than FT-M0 (very likely moderate) and FT-M1 (likely small). All intensity indicators were lower for U19 (likely small to almost certainly large). Load monotony was higher compared to FT-M1 (possibly small to almost certainly very large). Compared to FT-M0, monotony was higher for TD (possibly very large) and TD >25 km‧h‑1 (possibly moderate) but lower for TD 12-15 (possibly small) and 15-20 km‧h‑1 (likely moderate). So, despite higher weekly external loads at low velocity for elite youth players, external intensity and load variation increases when these players may transition to professional football. ispartof: Science and Medicine in Football vol:5 issue:1 ispartof: location:England status: published

Background It is crucial to balance load and recovery during short-term match congestion in basketball. Currently, it is unknown if higher total load during short-term match congestion lead to higher injury and illness rates. Objective Aim of this study was to compare injuries and illnesses and total weekly load during 1-match weeks compared to ≥2-match weeks in basketball. Design During this prospective observational study, players were monitored during a full season. Setting Two basketball teams participating in the domestic-league championship, CUP matches and Euro league were followed. Patients (or Participants) Sixteen elite male professional basketball players participated in this study. Characteristics of the players were (mean±SD): age 24.8±2.0 years, height 195.8±7.5 cm, weight 94.8±14.0 kg, body fat 11.9±5.0% and VO2max 51.9±5.3 mL·kg−1·min−1. Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors) In total 47 matches by basketball team A (9 players) and 41 matches by team B (7 players) were performed throughout the season. All training sessions and matches were executed as prescribed by the training and coaching staff without interference or manipulation. Main Outcome Measurements The Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center (OSTRC) Questionnaire on Health Problems was used to collect data on injuries and illnesses on a weekly base. Furthermore, players filled in s-RPE and duration for each training and match. Prevalence’s, severity scores, time-loss and total weekly load were compared for 1-match weeks and ≥2-match weeks. The data were analyzed using multi-level modeling. Results Prevalence of injuries and illnesses were 18.1% and 4.6% for 1-match weeks and 17.2% and 3.3% for ≥2-match weeks. Severity scores and time-loss were not significantly different for 1-match weeks compared to ≥2-match weeks. Total weekly load was lower during ≥2-match weeks compared to 1-match weeks. Conclusions No significant differences for injuries and illnesses were observed between 1-match weeks and ≥2-match weeks. Coaches appeared to reduce training load to compensate for multiple matches during short-term match congestion.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a succession of matches on the physical performance of elite soccer players. Forty-two players of a professional team from the Spanish Soccer League in the 2005-2006 season who played 2 full matches with 3 days in between matches 1 and 2 were monitored using a multiple-camera match analysis system. Differences on work-rate profiles of soccer players were analysed for the following variables: distance covered for all of the above activity profiles, frequency of high-intensity activities, recovery time, average speed, and top speed. Data were analyzed using a paired samples t-test. Overall, the activity profiles were not statistically influenced by the short recovery periods between matches. Difference between halves in the total distance covered was slightly greater during the first match compared to the second match (-84.4 ± 354.0 v -41.3 ± 318.8 m, respectively). Although a higher difference between halves was found in the distance covered by players at high intensity activities during the second match than in the first match (-34.0 ± 193.1 v -14.3 ± 208.2 m, respectively) this difference was not significant. There were no differences in the number of sprints and high speed runs performed by players across successive games. Difference between halves in the recovery time tended to be greater in the second match compared to the first match (13.0 ± 58.9 v 28.4 ± 87.4 s, respectively). However, this difference was not significant.

International audience; This study investigated the impact of in-season national team duty on injury rates and player availability in a professional soccer club. Time-loss injuries and exposure time during club and national team duties were recorded prospectively over 5 seasons (2009-2014). A time-loss injury was sustained by 37.7% of squad members participating in national duty, all injuries occurring in match-play. The incidence (per 1000 h exposure) for national team player match-play injuries did not differ (P = 0.608) to that for all players in club competitions: 48.0 (95% CI 20.9-75.5) vs. 41.9 (95% CI 36.5-47.4), incidence rate ratio = 1.2 (CI: 0.8-2.4). The majority (58%) of national team injuries resulted in a layoff ≤1 week. Of all working days lost to injury generally, 5.2% were lost through injury on national duty. Injury incidence in the week following national duty was comparable (P = 0.818) in players participating or not: 7.8 (95% CI 3.6-12.0) vs. 7.1 (95% CI: 4.6-9.6), incidence rate ratio = 1.1 (CI: 0.7-2.7). While approximately 40% of participating players incurred a time-loss injury on national duty, no training injuries were sustained and injuries made up a negligible part of overall club working days lost to injury. Following duty, players had a similar injury risk to peers without national obligations.

Purpose The aim of the present study was to examine the variation in physical activity of elite soccer players within successive prolonged periods of fixture congestion over 5 months of competition during the competitive season 2011-2012. Methods Sixteen international players, classified into 6 positions (central defenders: CD; full-backs: FB; central defensive midfielders: CDM; wide midfielders: WM; central attacking midfielders: CAM; forwards: FW), were examined during the French First League, French Cup, and UEFA Champion's League matches. The total distance covered at light (18-21 km.h−1), high (>21-23 km.h−1), very high (>23-25 km.h−1), sub-maximal (>25-27 km.h−1), and maximal (>27 km.h−1) intensity running (IR) were measured and analysed using a semi-automatic match analysis system (Amisco Pro™). Results No differences were observed between congested and non-congested periods (two vs. one match a week, respectively) for the total distance covered at all the speed thresholds over 18 km.h−1, with no variation in physical fitness over the 5 studied months. Specifically to the playing positions, regardless of the congestion periods, FB and WM covered more distance than CDM over 21km.h−1; FB, WM and FW covered similar distances for all running intensities; and CD and CDM covered shorter distance during non-congested compared to congested periods (P