Individualizing Acceleration in English Premier League Academy Soccer Players

Abstract

Global thresholds are typically utilized to band acceleration dependent upon intensity. However, global thresholds do not account for variation in individual capacities, failing to quantify true intensity of acceleration. Previous research has investigated discrepancies in high-speed distance produced utilizing global and individual speed thresholds, not yet investigated for acceleration. The current aim was to investigate discrepancies between global and individual thresholds when quantifying acceleration tasks. Acceleration data was recorded for thirty-one professional soccer players, utilizing 10-Hz GPS devices. Distances travelled performing low-, moderate-, and high-intensity acceleration were calculated for athletes utilizing global and individual thresholds. Global acceleration thresholds for low-, moderate-, and high-intensity acceleration were classified as 1-2 m. s-2 , 2-3 m. s-2 , and >3 m. s-2 respectively, with individual thresholds classified as 25-50%, 50-75%, and >75% of maximum acceleration respectively. Athletes were grouped low (LO), medium (ME), or high (HI) maximum accelerative capacity, determined utilizing three maximal 40-metre linear sprints. Two-way mixed design ANOVAs were used to analyze differences in acceleration distances produced between analysis methods and athlete groups. No significant differences were identified between analysis methods for LO. For ME, no significant differences were demonstrated for low-intensity. Moderate-and highintensity acceleration distances were significantly higher for global compared to individual analysis method (p<0.01). For HI, significantly higher acceleration distances were produced for all acceleration intensities utilizing global thresholds (p<0.01). Significant differences identified between analysis methods suggest practitioners must apply caution when utilizing global thresholds. Global thresholds Individual acceleration thresholds in soccer 3 3 do not account for individual capacities, and may provide an inaccurate representation of relative intensity of acceleration tasks.

Comparisons of Accelerometer Variables Training Monotony and Strain of Starters and Non-Starters: A Full-Season Study in Professional Soccer Players

“…For instance, the study of Clemente et al [ 19 ] found small-to-moderate effect size differences for the number of sprints in acute load, TM and TS through different external load metrics. Moreover, the present study does not consider individual differences in acceleration and deceleration capacities, which can result in different results [ 5 ].…”

“…In addition to the knowledge about the overall running demands of training sessions and matches, it is important to understand intense periods and the actions that occur (i.e., sprints, repeated sprints, accelerations and decelerations), as they have a substantial influence on the biomechanical and cardiometabolic demands experienced by players. The evidence indicates that an increasingly greater number of accelerations and decelerations is performed at higher standards, and this needs to be a consideration when designing training plans [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

How to Use Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Data to Monitor Training Load in the “Real World” of Elite Soccer

“…Individualized speed zones are based on a combination of maximal aerobic speed (MAS) which is derived from the Yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1 or tested directly using another test, maximal sprint speed (MSS) which is derived from the maximal speed reached during training, and the anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) which corresponds to <80% of MAS, 80-100% of MAS, 100% of MAS, or 29% of ASR and ≥30% of ASR (Hunter et al, 2015;Rago et al, 2019a) (Table 1). For acceleration and deceleration zones, most studies used +3/−3 m•s −2 as threshold of intense/high acceleration or deceleration, respectively Abbott et al, 2018a;Malone et al, 2019;Rago et al, 2019b). However, recent studies (Delaney et al, 2017;Rago et al, 2019b) suggest that a maximum threshold of +2/−2 m•s −2 should be preferred over +3/−3 m•s −2 .…”

External and internal training load relationships in soccer players

“…sn -2 ; DEC actions at -1-2, -2-3, and >-3 m . sn -2 , respectively (Abbott, Brickley, Smeeton, & Mills, 2018).…”