Football Science (September 7, 2022) (Patreon)

Effect of training day, match, and length of the microcycle on the workload periodization in professional soccer players: a full-season study.

ABSTRACT: The aims of this study were to: (a) describe and compare the volume and intensity from the workload of professional soccer players between training and MD, and (b) analyse the effect that the length of the microcycle had on the workload. A cohort study was designed for a full season in La Liga 123. Wearable tracking systems collected the distance covered in meters (m), total number of high-intensity accelerations (ACCHIGH) and decelerations (DECHIGH), total number of high-speed running actions (HSRA), high-speed running distance (HSRD), high metabolic load distance (HMLD), and player load (PL) from training days (MD+1, MD-4, MD-3, MD-2, and MD-1) and MD. Significant differences were found between training and MD workload, MD workload being the most demanding for all intensity and volume variables (F = 36.35–753.94; p < 0.01; wp2 = 0.21–0.85). The greatest training intensity and volume were found on MD-4 and MD-3 (p < 0.05). In addition, a novel finding was that the length of the microcycle had a significant effect on the workload both in volume and intensity (F = 4.84–14.19; p < 0.01; wp2 = 0.03–0.09), except for relative ACCHIGH, DECHIGH, and HMLD. Although MD-4 and MD-3 were the most suitable days for loading the players, the results showed that MD elicited a unique stimulus in terms of volume and intensity. Consequently, coaches need to include specific training drills to adapt the players for the competitive demands. Finally, special focus should be placed on MD from short and regular microcycles (5-day, 6-day, or 7-day microcycles) since declines in physical performance were observed in comparison with long microcycles (8-day or 9-day microcycles).

Practical applications:

- This study showed significant differences between the workload from training and MD at all intensity and volume variables, the workload from MD being the most demanding.

- The greatest intensity and volume from training sessions were found on MD-4, MD-3, and MD+1 in all variables.

- Data from Tables 2 and 3 may be used as a useful reference for sport scientists and strength and conditioning coaches, who are responsible for the workload periodization and make daily decisions to find the right balance between loading the players for positive adaptations and reducing the injury risk.

- Understanding this workload from both training and MD, coaches may include specific training drills to replicate the competition demands by considering not only the average demands but also the most demanding passages of play.

- Although MD-4 and MD-3 were the most suitable days for loading the players through repeated high-intensity actions, drills undertaken on larger pitch sizes or reducing the number of players in the playing area, the results showed that MD seems to elicit a unique stimulus in terms of volume and intensity.

- Therefore, caution should be taken on MD+1 with the recovery strategies for those who played the match while the players who could not participate in the match need to be overloaded on MD+1 considering the workload from MD.

- In addition, a novel finding of this study was that the length of the microcycle had a significant effect on the workload not only in the volume but also in the intensity, except for relative ACCHIGH, DECHIGH, and HMLD.

- Thus, special focus should be placed on MD from short and regular microcycles since declines in physical perfor- mance were observed in comparison with long microcycles.

Reference:

- Oliva-Lozano JM, Gómez-Carmona CD, Fortes V, Pino-Ortega J. Effect of training day, match, and length of the microcycle on the workload periodization in professional soccer players: a full-season study. Biol Sport. 2022;39(2):397–406.