Match Exposure, Consecutive Match Number, and Recovery Days Affect Match Running During International Women's Soccer Tournaments
A summary of the research:
The article "Match Exposure, Consecutive Match Number, and Recovery Days Affect Match Running During International Women’s Soccer Tournaments" investigates how tournament-specific factors like consecutive match exposure and recovery days influence running performance in elite women’s football. Using data collected from 28 players across four international tournaments, the study analyzed key metrics such as total distance, high-speed running, and accelerations using GPS. The findings show that match running decreases with fewer recovery days between games, with players covering significantly less total distance and performing fewer high-speed actions when playing with three or fewer days of rest. Additionally, consecutive match number and time on the pitch also impact performance, with players showing reductions in high-intensity efforts as matches accumulate.
The research highlights the importance of optimizing recovery time and managing player workloads in tournaments with congested schedules. Coaches can use this information to inform decisions about player rotation and substitutions to maintain performance levels across a tournament. The study suggests that careful management of match exposure and recovery is crucial for sustaining player performance, especially in high-stakes international competitions.
Key Takeaways:
Fewer recovery days reduce performance: Players show reduced running performance, particularly in high-speed actions, when they have fewer than three days to recover between matches.
Consecutive matches decrease intensity: With each consecutive match, players’ high-speed running and acceleration efforts decline, highlighting the cumulative effect of match fatigue.
Time on pitch impacts match running: The longer a player remains on the pitch, the greater the decline in total distance covered and high-speed efforts, suggesting the need for strategic substitutions to preserve energy.
Authors: Georgia Brown, Tim Massard, Tony Wignell, Alan McCall, & Rob Duffield
You can read the whole article here.
