We sought to study the physical demands and match performance
of women soccer players. Nineteen top-class and 15 high-level players were
individually videotaped in competitive matches, and time-motion analysis were
performed. The players changed locomotor activity >1,300 times in a game
corresponding to every ~4 seconds and covered 9-11 km in total.
The top-class
players ran 28% longer (P < 0.05) at high intensities than
high-level players (1.68 ± 0.09 and 1.33 ± 0.10 km, respectively) and sprinted
24% longer (P < 0.05). The top-class group had a decrease
(P < 0.05) of 25-57% in high intensity running in the final
15 minutes compared with the first four 15-minutes intervals, whereas the
high-level group performed less (P < 0.05) high-intensity
running in the last 15 minutes of each half in comparison with the 2 previous
15-minute periods in the respective half.
Peak distance covered by high
intensity running in a 5-minute interval was 33% longer (P
< 0.05) for the top-class players than the high-level players. In the
following 5 minutes immediately after the peak interval top-class players
covered 17% less (P < 0.05) high-intensity running than the
game average.
Defenders performed fewer (P < 0.05)
intervals of high-intensity running than midfielders and attackers, as well as
fewer (P < 0.05) sprints than the attackers. In conclusion,
for women soccer players (1) top-class international players perform more
intervals of high-intensity running than elite players at a lower level, (2)
fatigue develops temporarily during and towards the end of a game, and (3)
defenders have lower work rates than midfielders and attackers. The difference
in high-intensity running between the 2 levels demonstrates the importance of
intense intermittent exercise for match
performance in women soccer. Thus, these aspects should be trained intensively
in women soccer.
Mohr, Magni1; Krustrup, Peter1; Andersson, Helena2; Kirkendal, Donald3; Bangsbo, Jens1
No comments:
Post a Comment