The effect of cumulative fatigue on activity profiles of professional soccer players during a congested fixture period

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.