Weekly variations of accelerometer variables and workload of professional soccer players from different positions throughout a season.

The current study aimed to analyze, using accelerometer-based activity, acute workload, chronic workload, acutechronic workloads ratio, training-monotony and training-strain throughout a competitive soccer-season and to compare these variables between players from different playing positions. Twenty-one professional soccer-players were monitored during the 48 weeks of the season. Players were grouped according to their position.

Small-Sided Soccer Games with Larger Relative Areas Result in Higher Physical and Physiological Responses: a Systematic and Meta-Analytical Review.

This study aimed to systematically review the influence of the relative area on athletes' physical and physiological responses (outcomes) during small-sided games of soccer which were not matched to the relative area. It also presents a meta-analysis comparing standard small-sided games protocols with different relative areas. We searched the Web of Science and Scopus electronic databases for literature published up to March 2020 following all PRISMA guidelines for selecting articles for a qualitative and quantitative synthesis.

Progression to the target vs. regular rules in Soccer small-sided Games.

Background: This study compared the physical, physiological, and spatiotemporal responses of soccer athletes in small-sided games (SSG) in two experimental conditions: progression to the target rule (PG), in which they should take the ball to the opponent's endline to score points, and SSG with regular rules (RG), in which they should score goals to win the game.

Methods: Twenty U-20 athletes played both SSG formats. The SSG were played as four 4-minute bouts with four minutes of passive recovery in two consecutive days.

The Acute and Chronic Effects of Dual-Task on the Motor and Cognitive Performances in Athletes: A Systematic Review.

Athletes must distribute their attention to many relevant cues during a match. Therefore, athletes' ability to deal with dual-tasks may be different from the non-athlete population, demanding a deeper investigation within the sports domain. This study aimed to systematically review the acute and chronic effects of dual-tasks in motor and cognitive performances in athletes from different modalities.

Understanding Player Load: Meanings and Limitations.

We present a critical reflection on the mechanical variable Player Load, which is based on acceleration data and commonly used in sports. Our motivation to write this paper came from the difficulties that we encountered in the calculation and interpretation of Player Load using our own data, since we did not use the Catapult Sports equipment, which is a merchandise of the company that proposed this variable. We reviewed existing literature in order to understand Player Load better; we found many inconsistencies in PL calculation methods and in the meanings attached to it.

External Load Variations Between Medium- and Large-Sided Soccer Games: Ball Possession Games Vs Regular Games with Small Goals.

This study compared external load variations between 5 vs 5 and 10 vs 10 sided game formats played under two conditions: (i) a ball possession game with two floaters, and (ii) a regular game with goalkeepers and small goals. Twenty-two professional soccer players participated in this study: four central defenders, four wide defenders, nine central midfielders, three wide forwards, and three strikers. Total distance (TD), running distance (RD), sprinting distance (SD), number of sprints (NS), and player's training load (PL) were recorded by GPS units.

Perceived Training Load, Muscle Soreness, Stress, Fatigue, and Sleep Quality in Professional Basketball: A Full Season Study.

This study aimed to compare the perceived training load (session-RPE) and wellness status (muscle soreness, stress, fatigue, and sleep quality) within and between regular (one-match) and congested (two matches) weeks. Fifteen professional basketball players from a European First league club participated in this study. Wellness status (Hooper's questionnaire) and perceived training loads (session-RPE) were measured for each training session and matches over a full season.

Influence of pitch size and age category on the physical and physiological responses of young football players during small-sided games using GPS devices.

This study aimed to compare the physical and physiological responses of young football players of different categories during small-sided games (SSGs) played on different pitch sizes. Forty-eight (24 U-13 and 24 U-14) athletes played a 3 vs. 3 + 1 SSG in two experimental conditions: regular (36 × 27 m) and large pitch sizes (40 × 29 m).

Influence of Match Status on Players' Prominence and Teams' Network Properties During 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The analyses of players and teams' behaviors during the FIFA World Cup may provide a better understanding on how football tactics and strategies have developed in the past few years in elite football. The Social Network Analysis (SNA) has been carried out in the investigations about passing distribution, improving the understanding on how players interact and cooperate during a match. In football official matches, studies have used the SNA as a means of coding players' cooperation and opposition patterns.