Effect of Increasing the Number of Substitutions on Physical Performance during Periods of Congested Fixtures in Football.

Sports (Basel)

Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF-Sports Department), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain.

Published: January 2023

(I) This study aimed to evaluate the impact on physical demands induced by FIFA's new rule implemented based on the number of substitutions caused by COVID-19. (II) Sixty-six matches were analysed in peak periods (microcycles of three matches in a week) in the competition period before and after the pandemic. The variables collected were organised by team (22 from LaLiga SmartBank 2019-2020) for a total of 132 team records and 1077 player performance reports using a multi-camera tracking system and Mediacoach software. Physical performance variables were analysed in the first half, second half and whole match, thus determining the individual and collective performances of the team. (III) This study shows how, despite the increase in substitutions allowed with the new rule, physical performance increased in some variables in the congested periods (e.g., total distance run and distance run in the first and second halves). Additionally, the players' physical performance involved in a substitution was greater than it was for players who completed the game. (IV) The new substitution rule helps to maintain and even improve physical performance. This measure could improve intensity levels in both individual and team performance. It could even safeguard the physical integrity of the players by reducing the risk of injury, as fewer players have to play the full match.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9962594PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/sports11020025DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

physical performance
20
number substitutions
8
physical
7
performance
7
increasing number
4
substitutions physical
4
performance periods
4
periods congested
4
congested fixtures
4
fixtures football
4

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!