Impact of the Menstrual Cycle on Physical Performance and Subjective Ratings in Elite Academy Women Soccer Players.

Our study aimed to combine psychological and physical factors to explore the impact of the menstrual cycle on performance in elite academy women soccer players through weekly monitoring. Eighteen elite academy women soccer players were monitored. Players reported daily through an online anonymous survey if they were in menstruation. Players answered the Hooper Questionnaire daily, performed an Illinois Agility Test (IAT) twice a week, and rated their perceived exertion (RPE) after every training session. Tests were associated with a complete menstrual cycle reported through the online anonymous survey to determine the two weeks of the follicular phase and the two weeks of the luteal phase. Of the 18 players, 10 completed all requirements and were retained for analyses. IAT did not show significant differences throughout the menstrual cycle (p = 0.633). Fatigue (p = 0.444), Stress (p = 0.868), Sleep (p = 0.398), DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness; p = 0.725), and Hooper Index (p = 0.403) did not show significant differences either. RPE was also comparable across the cycle (p = 0.846). Our results failed to demonstrate that hormonal variation during the menstrual cycle influenced psychological and physical markers of performance.

Typical weekly physical periodization in French academy soccer teams: a survey.

In elite-level youth soccer players, weekly training periodization is of paramount importance to plan for short- and long-term physical development. The present study investigated current practices for physical periodization strategies in elite male French academies. An online survey was completed by elite French academies strength and conditioning coaches to determine the typical weekly periodization with particular reference to daily training in relation to match day (MD) in youth soccer players. The survey attempted to characterize the importance of physical development compared to match result, and practices used (expected difficulty and content) for each training session according to duration, exercises, and objective. The frequency rates of the responses were compared using two-tailed Chi-square tests with the significance level set at p < 0.05. Fortyfive questionnaires were analyzed. Respondents indicated that their training sessions focused mainly on physical development (95.6%) rather than match result. Active recovery (34.2%) and aerobic conditioning exercises (40.8%) were primarily conducted on MD+1 and MD+2 using passing circuits and aerobic technical drills. Physical development was mostly pursued during sessions on MD-4 (38.8%) and MD-3 (37.3%). The number of large-sided games was highest on MD-3 (58.1%). On MD-2 and MD-1, a decrease in the training load was highlighted, with speed (40.4%) and tapering sessions (52.4%) mostly implemented. Intensive use of small-sided games (92.3%) and reactivity exercises was observed at MD-1 (100.0%). Our results revealed discrepancies between the physical objectives set for each day and the content implemented, which could potentially be more physically demanding than expected.

Positional Differences in Absolute vs. Relative Training Loads in Elite Academy Soccer Players.

Weekly training loads are typically reported using absolute values and are not individualized according to competition positional demands (relative values). The aim of this study was to evaluate absolute and relative training loads and compare across playing positions during a full in-season in an elite soccer academy. 24 elite academy soccer players, categorized into five positions (CD: central defender [n = 4]; FB: full back [n = 5]; CM: central midfielder [n = 6]; WM: wide midfielder [n = 5]; FW: forward [n = 4]), were monitored using a global positioning system. Absolute training load was calculated using the total distance, the distance at moderate-speed ([15-20[ km·h-1), high-speed ([20-25[ km·h-1), sprint (> 25 km·h-1), the total number of accelerations (> 3 m·s-2) and decelerations (< -3 m·s-2). Relative training load was calculated by dividing absolute training loads by mean values from the competitive matches. Training loads were determined daily according to their distance from match day (MD). One-way ANOVAs were performed to evaluate differences between playing positions. Absolute moderate-speed distance was greater for WM compared to CD (p = 0.015, and p = 0.017), while the opposite was shown for relative values (p = 0.014, and p < 0.001) on MD-4 and MD-3, respectively. The absolute moderate-speed distance was not different between CD, FB, CM, and FW, whereas relative values were greater for CD on MD+2 and MD-4 (p < 0.05). FB and WM performed greater absolute high-speed distance than CD on MD-4 and MD-3 (p < 0.05) while no difference was highlighted for relative values.Our results demonstrated that in the present academy players, training load for CD was underestimated using absolute training loads for moderate and high-speed distances. In contrast, relative training loads highlighted WM as an underloaded position. Therefore, relative training loads are recommended as they contextualize training loads according to competitive demands and favor training individualization.

Physical Impact of a Typical Training Session with Different Volumes on the Day Preceding a Match in Academy Soccer Players.

French academies almost all implement reactivity drills and small-sided games (SSG) the day preceding a match (MD-1). The present study aimed to determine the physical impact of different training durations on MD-1 on the subsequent matchday performance (MD). Eleven elite U19 academy soccer players conducted three typical training sessions lasting 45 min (TS45), 60 min (TS60) and 75 min (TS75) on MD-1. During TS60, warm-up, reactivity and SSG were 10, 15 and 24 min, respectively, plus coaches' feedback or water breaks. Durations of all training components decreased by 25% for TS45 and increased by 25% for TS75. Tests were conducted on MD-4 (CONTROL) and MD before the match (TEST). Tests consisted of a counter movement jump (CMJ), 20 m sprint, Illinois agility test (IAT) and Hooper questionnaire. CONTROL values were similar over the three experimental conditions. TEST on MD revealed greater CMJ for TS45 (42.7 ± 5.1 cm) compared to TS60 (40.5 ± 5.5 cm, p = 0.032) and TS75 (40.9 ± 5.7 cm, p = 0.037). 20 m time was lower for TS45 (3.07 ± 0.10 s, p < 0.001) and TS60 (3.13 ± 0.10 s, p = 0.017) compared to TS75 (3.20 ± 0.10 s). IAT time was lower on TS45 (14.82 ± 0.49 s) compared to TS60 (15.43 ± 0.29 s, p < 0.001) and TS75 (15.24 ± 0.33 s, p = 0.006). Furthermore, the Hooper index was lower at TEST for TS45 (7.64 ± 1.50) compared to TS60 (11.00 ± 3.49, p = 0.016) and TS75 (9.73 ± 2.41, p = 0.016), indicating a better readiness level. We concluded that, as training session duration increases, performance decreases on MD. A 45 min training session including reactivity and SSG exercises is therefore recommended on MD-1.

Quantifying Accelerations and Decelerations in Elite Women Soccer Players during Regular In-Season Training as an Index of Training Load.

Accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC) are important and frequent actions in soccer. We aimed to investigate whether ACC and DEC were good indicators of the variation of training loads in elite women soccer players. Changes in the training load were monitored during two different selected weeks (considered a "low week" and a "heavy week") during the in-season. Twelve elite soccer women playing in the French first division wore a 10-Hz Global Positioning System unit recording total distance, distance within speed ranges, sprint number, ACC, DEC, and a heart rate monitor during six soccer training sessions and rated their perceived exertion (RPE). They answered the Hooper questionnaire (sleep, stress, fatigue, DOMS) to get an insight of their subjective fitness level at the start (Hooper S) and at the end of each week (Hooper E). A countermovement jump (CMJ) was also performed once a week. During the heavy week, the training load was significantly greater than the low week when considering number of ACC >2 m·s-2 (28.2 ± 11.9 vs. 56.1 ± 10.1, p < 0.001) and number of DEC < -2 m·s-2 (31.5 ± 13.4 vs. 60.9 ± 14.4, p < 0.001). The mean heart rate percentage (HR%) (p < 0.05), RPE (p < 0.001), and Hooper E (p < 0.001) were significantly greater during the heavy week. ACC and DEC showed significant correlations with most outcomes: HR%, total distance, distance per min, sprint number, Hooper index of Hooper E, DOMS E, Fatigue E, RPE, and session RPE. We concluded that, for elite women soccer players, quantifying ACC and DEC alongside other indicators seemed to be essential for a more complete training load monitoring. Indeed, it could lead to a better understanding of the reasons why athletes get fatigued and give insight into neuromuscular, rather than only energetic, fatigue.