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This study aimed to analyse match availability, participation, and muscle injury incidence and to compare the effect of time intervals between matches (3–4 versus 6–7 days) on physical, physiological, and psychophysiological parameters in a professional football team during a prolonged congested fixture period. Thirteen professional male football players (29.2 ± 4.8 years old; 78.5 ± 8.3 kg; 179.3 ± 8.8 cm;) participated. Data were collected during 17 consecutive weeks for 35 official matches separated by an average interval of ≤ 3.5 days. Results showed a player availability of 84.8 ± 16.1% while match participation was 68.8% ± 6.4%. Muscle injury incidence was 19.0/ 1,000 hours of match exposure. These injuries occurred after individual players participated in sequences of 8.3 ± 3.3 consecutive matches with intervals of 3.8 ± 0.8 days. No differences were observed in physical performance or in fatigue-related parameters irrespective of the time interval between matches. A high player availability rate was observed. No differences were observed in physical, physiological, and psychophysiological indices of performance when comparing shorter and longer time intervals between consecutive matches.Prolonged exposure to fixture congestion resulted in an high risk of incurring muscle injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic forced the Norwegian male premier league football season to reschedule, reducing the fixture calendar substantially. Previous research has shown that a congested match schedule can affect injury rates in professional football. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether the Norwegian premier league teams suffered more injuries in the more match congested 2020 season than in the regular 2019-season. We invited all teams having participated in both seasons to export their injury data. Only teams that used the same medical staff to register injuries in both seasons were included, and to maximize data comparability between seasons, we applied a time-loss injury definition only. Seven of 13 teams agreed to participate and exported their injury data. Both seasons had 30 game weeks, but the 2020 season was 57 days shorter than the 2019 season. The match injury incidence did not differ significantly [incidence rate ratio 0.76 (0.48–1.20; p = 0.24) in the 2020 season compared to the 2019 season. Furthermore, we found no differences in the number of injuries, days lost to injury, matches missed to injury, or injury severity. We could not detect any differences between the two seasons, suggesting the congested match calendar combined with the safety measures in the 2020 season can be a safe alternative in future seasons.

We examined the changes in performance during congested (two matches within a 7-day interval) and non-congested (one match within≥7-day interval) fixtures in 17 elite football (soccer) referees during 181 official matches. External demands comprised 20 GPS-based metrics. Internal load was assessed by heart rate and rating of perceived exertion. Compared to non-congested fixtures, referees decreased their running distance at 21–24 km·h−1 (p =0.027, effect size [ES]=0.41) and > 24 km·h−1 (p =0.037, ES=0.28), the number of sprints (p =0.012, ES=0.29), and distance sprinting (p =0.022, ES=0.29) in congested matches. Most play metrics were lower in congested versus non-congested fixtures with low-to-moderate ES. During the 2nd half of non-congested fixtures, referees covered larger distances at low-speed running (p =0.025, ES=0.47). Match congestion due to officiating two matches less than a week apart caused a notable decrease in match running activity in professional football referees, especially at above 21 km·h−1. These data reiterate the need for specific conditioning and post-match recovery strategies in high-level referees to ensure optimal judgment performance favouring the quality of the competition. Governing bodies should take these outcomes into account when designating referees for a match. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The COVID19-induced suspension of the 2019-20 professional England rugby union season resulted in players being exposed to an extended restricted training period, coupled with a congested match schedule once competition resumed. We assessed the impact of these changes on match and training injuries in the final 20-weeks of the season following competition resumption.Design: Epidemiological study.Methods: The 2019-20 season was compared to the previous three seasons (2016-19).Results: There was no significant difference in the mean incidence, severity and burden of training and match injuries in 2019-20 compared to 2016-19 period mean. The 2019-20 post-suspension mean match injury rate [77/1000 h (95%CIs [confidence intervals]: 67-89)] was comparable to the 2019-20 pre-suspension [93/1000 h (95%CIs: 85-101)] and significantly lower than the 2016-19 equivalent post-suspension period [97/1000 h (95CIs: 90-104) IRR [incidence rate ratio] 0.8 p=0.002]. In the 2019-20 season, there was a significantly higher rate of training injury post-suspension in comparison to pre-suspension [3.8/1000 h (95CIs: 3.3-4.4) vs 2.7/1000 h (95% CIs: 2.5-3.1) IRR 1.4 p=0.005]. There was no significant difference in the overall incidence, severity or burden of injuries sustained in fixtures with shorter (<6 days) turnarounds but there was a significantly higher burden of soft tissue injuries.Conclusions: This is the first study to assess the effect of restricted training on injury risk in collision sports. Players were at an increased risk of training injury when returning from the suspension, but 10-weeks of preparatory training meant the incidence of match injury was not higher when competition resumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To analyze the effects of a very congested match schedule on the total distance (TD) covered, high-intensity-running (HIR) distance, and frequency of accelerations and body-load impacts (BLIs) performed in a team of under-15 soccer players (N = 10; 15.1 ± 0.2 y, 171.8 ± 4.7 cm, 61 ± 6.0 kg) during an international youth competition. METHODS: Using global positioning systems, player performances were repeatedly monitored in 5 matches performed over 3 successive days. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed between matches (P < .05) for the frequency of accelerations per minute, BLIs, and BLIs per minute. No differences were observed for the TD covered, TD run per minute, number of high-intensity runs, distance covered in HIR, per-minute peak running speed attained, or frequency of accelerations. The frequency of accelerations per minute decreased across the competition while BLIs were higher during the final than in all other matches. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that BLIs and acceleration might be used as an alternative means to represent the external load during congested match schedules rather than measures related to running speed or distance covered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zanetti, V, Carling, C, Aoki, MS, Bradley, PS, and Moreira, A. Are there differences in elite youth soccer player work rate profiles in congested vs. regular match schedules? J Strength Cond Res 35(2): 473–480, 2021—Official international tournaments in which youth soccer players participate can involve very congested schedules. Yet, no information regarding physical and technical match performance during congested vs. regular (noncongested) cycles is available. In this study, accelerations, decelerations, mean metabolic power (MP), and technical performance (offensive and defensive variables) were compared across very congested match (VCM; 10 international matches played over 3 successive days, including 2 days with 2 consecutive matches separated by a 4- to 5-hour interval) and 10 regular (noncongested match [NCM]) match periods in elite male Under 15 (U15, n = 11) and Under 17 (U17, n = 13) soccer players. Players wore a 15-Hz Global Positioning System unit with a 100-Hz triaxial accelerometer. The session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were assessed 30 minutes after match. Results showed a higher number of accelerations per minute observed in VCM vs. NCM (U15; 2.27 ± 0.35 vs. 2.12 ± 0.23; effect size [ES] = 0.49; U17; 2.27 ± 0.41 vs. 2.01 ± 0.31; ES = 0.69). Decelerations per minute were higher during VCM (U15; 1.99 ± 0.27 vs. 1.84 ± 0.25; ES = 0.55; and U17; 1.98 ± 0.35 vs. 1.80 ± 0.27; ES = 0.56). Mean MP was higher in the VCM (U15; 0.42 ± 0.06 vs. 0.37 ± 0.02; ES = 1.08; U17; 0.46 ± 0.03 vs. 0.30 ± 0.03; ES = 1.94). Technical actions per minute were higher in the VCM for U17 (ES = 1.60 and 1.37, for offensive and defensive performance, respectively) but lower (during VCM) for U15 (ES = 3.59 and 0.28, for offensive and defensive performance). U15 reported a higher session RPE in the VCM (7.9 ± 0.5 AUs vs. 6.9 ± 0.5 AUs). The findings suggest that running activity in these youth players was unaffected overall in tournaments with congested schedules, and that the intensity of match-play was actually greater than in regular match schedules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to explore the perceptions of elite professional footballers on various dimensions related to the International Match Calendar. A cross-sectional design by means of a survey was conducted among male elite professional footballers playing in national teams and/or continental competitions. The survey questions were formulated during two expert meetings with football stakeholders (including players), covering the following dimensions: number of matches and related recovery, influence of travelling, and in- and off-season breaks. A total of 543 elite professional footballers completed the survey (response rate: 36%), of whom 55% were playing in their national teams. Around 35–40% of the participants reported playing too many matches per season with an insufficient number of recovery days in between. Nearly two-thirds of the participants reported that travelling had a significant negative impact on their recovery, performances and/or health. Elite professional footballers were in favour of an in-and off-season break lasting 14 days and 5 weeks, respectively. The findings of our study suggest that there is a need to review the International Match Calendar and implement measures in elite professional football to empower the players' recovery and performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explores the influence of playing with different recovery times between matches on physical activity and technical performance. The sample was composed by 4496 professional players who participated in German professional league (Deutsche Fußball Liga – DFL) during the season 2011–2012. Data were collected using a semi-automatic optical tracking system (VISTRACK, by Impire Corp., Germany). Differences on work rate profiles of soccer players were analysed for the following variables: total distance covered, number of fast runs, number of sprints and percentage of successful passes. The main finding of this study suggests that the total distance covered, the number of fast runs and the number of sprints decreased in professional soccer players in microcycles with length of <4 days during the mid-season. Central defenders, external defenders and external midfielders covered less total distance in microcycles of <4 days, and this effect was more evident during the mid-season. During three-day microcycles in comparison to four-day cycles, central defenders and external defenders reduced the total distance covered. No differences were observed between teams according to the team quality and match location. Coaches should pay extra attention to adapt recovery strategy according to playing position and period of season. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study investigated exposure to periods of match congestion in regular starter players in a professional soccer team across 4 competitive seasons (2009–2013). Players were divided into 2 groups: club players (club match exposure only, n = 41) and national team players (club and national team exposure, n = 22). The frequency of congested periods that players were potentially exposed to per season was initially determined: 2-match cycles – potential exposure to 2 successive matches separated by a ≤ 3-day interval calculated immediately from the end of play in match 1 to the start of play in match 2 occurred on 12.5 ± 5.1 and 16.0 ± 4.7 occasions for club and national team players, respectively. Multiple-match cycles: potential exposure to 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-matches played successively within a ≤ 4-day period commencing from the day after each match occurred on 8.5 ± 2.1, 4.3 ± 1.7, 3.0 ± 0.8 and 1.8 ± 0.5 occasions for club and 11.5 ± 2.4, 6.5 ± 0.6, 4.5 ± 1.9 and 3.0 ± 1.4 occasions for national team players, respectively. With regard to actual exposure in club and national team players, respectively, participation in both matches in 2-match cycles attained 61.2% and 59.3% while 90-min play in both matches was only completed on 38.2% and 40.5% of occasions and ≥75-min play on 47.6% and 50.0% of occasions, despite availability to play in both groups being >86%. While availability to play in all players was frequently >70% for multiple-match cycles, a trend was observed for a sharp decline in participation as the number of matches in the cycles increased. Therefore, the present players were not extensively exposed to periods of fixture congestion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic forced the Norwegian male premier league football season to reschedule, reducing the fixture calendar substantially. Previous research has shown that a congested match schedule can affect injury rates in professional football. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether the Norwegian premier league teams suffered more injuries in the more match congested 2020 season than in the regular 2019-season. We invited all teams having participated in both seasons to export their injury data. Only teams that used the same medical staff to register injuries in both seasons were included, and to maximize data comparability between seasons, we applied a time-loss injury definition only. Seven of 13 teams agreed to participate and exported their injury data. Both seasons had 30 game weeks, but the 2020 season was 57 days shorter than the 2019 season. The match injury incidence did not differ significantly [incidence rate ratio 0.76 (0.48-1.20; p = 0.24) in the 2020 season compared to the 2019 season. Furthermore, we found no differences in the number of injuries, days lost to injury, matches missed to injury, or injury severity. We could not detect any differences between the two seasons, suggesting the congested match calendar combined with the safety measures in the 2020 season can be a safe alternative in future seasons., Competing Interests: Author CT was employed by the company Rosenborg Ballklubb. Author MB was employed by the company Bodø Glimt FK. Author DT was employed by the company Brann Sportsklubb. Author AB was employed by the company Odds Ballklubb. Author CW was employed by the company Kristiansund Ballklubb. Author EM was employed by the company Stabæk Fotball. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Dalen-Lorentsen, Andersen, Thorbjørnsen, Brown, Tovi, Braastad, Lindinger, Williams, Moen, Clarsen and Bjørneboe.)

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 (<12 km.h(-1)), sustained-cruising (>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<0.05) at light-IR., Conclusion: The present study reveals that prolonged congested match fixture did not affect the high-intensity physical activity of top-class soccer players during official games during a 5 months fixture period.