Relative Training Load and Match Outcome: Are Professional Soccer Players Actually Undertrained during the In-Season?

Abstract

Previous studies examined training/match ratios (TMr) to determine the training load relative to the match load, but the influence of the relative training load (RTL) on success in soccer is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the possible influence of RTL on final match outcome in soccer (win, draw, and loss). Running performances (RP) of soccer players (n = 21) in the Croatian highest national soccer competition were analyzed during the season 2020–2021. Data were measured by the global positioning system in 14 official matches and 67 training sessions. RTL was assessed by TMr, which were calculated as the ratio of RP during training and match in the same week, evaluating the following measures: TDr (total distance ratio), LIDr (low-intensity distance ratio), RDr (running distance ratio), HIDr (high-intensity distance ratio), ACCr (total accelerations ratio), DECr (total decelerations ratio), HI-ACCr (high-intensity accelerations ratio), HI-DECr (high-intensity decelerations ratio). All TMr were examined separately for each training session within in-season microcycles (categorized as days before the match day, i.e., MD minus). Spearman correlations were used to identify association between match outcome and TMr. The results indicated negative associations between match outcome and TDr, LIDr, ACCr and DECr on MD-1 and MD-2). In contrast, positive associations were evidenced between match outcome, and HIDr on MD-3 and TDr, LIDr, ACCr and DECr on MD-5 (p < 0.05; all moderate correlations). These findings demonstrate that final match outcome in soccer was associated with greater RTL of (i) high-intensity running three days before the match, (ii) total and low-intensity running, accelerations and decelerations five days before the match, and (iii) lower RTL of total and low-intensity running, accelerations and decelerations one and two days before the match.

Decline in Running Performance in Highest-Level Soccer: Analysis of the UEFA Champions League Matches

“…Such findings are fully in line with previous research, which reported smaller effect sizes in higher speed categories [ 23 ]. Authors of this research explained that smaller effect sizes were associated with HIR due to the low absolute values of HIR (i.e., compared to TD and low-intensity running) during the matches [ 23 ], which was well-described in previous research investigating MRP [ 10 , 11 , 49 , 50 ]. Other results from the current study could directly support such findings.…”

Daily and weekly external loads in the microcycle: Characterization and comparison between playing positions on amateur soccer

“…These results are in agreement with Clemente et al ( 2019a ) and Modric et al ( 2021b ), who demonstrated that through weekly training sessions, the TDC and accelerations/decelerations were more emphasized than the high-intensity distance covered (e.g., VHSRD and SpD). According to Modric et al ( 2021a ), training approaches usually contain drills that are performed in small areas, players are limited in reaching higher running speeds. As a consequence of not being exposed to high intensity running patterns, players mostly do not meet the loads imposed during matches.…”

“…are performed. Grünbichler et al ( 2020 ), based on an microcycle composed of 5 training sessions, MD-5 to MD-1, suggest that for an optimal pre-match preparation, coaches should plan sprint (>7.0m/s) training session during the week (3–4 days before the match) and additionally should avoid excessive training loads and long sessions 1 day before the match, while Modric et al ( 2021a ), with the same type of weekly schedule, indicate that players should be exposed to a minimum of 75–80% of the high-intensity running (>5.5 m/s) normally characterizing a match in the middle of the week, as well as training methodology that utilizes a “high-volume and low-intensity” training session in the second day after the match (i.e., on MD-5) may positively impact success in soccer. Although there are trends and similarities in the management of daily loads during the microcycle, this management must be unique, situational, and evolutionary to meet the needs of the team and the players, as a group and individuality.…”

“…Due to the huge amount of information to be managed with this approach (both collective and individual, as well as multifactorial), the use of big data analysis through the application of the artificial intelligence opens an interesting perspective for predicting injury risk and performance in team sports (Claudino et al, 2019 ). Recently, some studies (Owen et al, 2017 ; Stevens et al, 2017 ; Martín-García et al, 2018 ; Chena et al, 2021 ; Modric et al, 2021a ) have analyzed the influence of external training loads within weekly training sessions on performance in soccer; however, they all focus on professional contexts, with limited transfer to the amateur context. Thus, and because can be very valuable to express training load data against the match reference (Miguel et al, 2022 ), since this facilitates the interpretation of the data, and hence the training prescription, this study aims to describe and characterize the daily and weekly external load in an amateur soccer team and based on the weighting factors determined by the match reference, compare the external loads between playing positions.…”

Can complex contrast training interventions improve aerobic endurance, maximal strength, and repeated sprint ability in soccer players? A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Soccer requires a combination of aerobic and high-intensity demands (e.g., sprints, changes of direction) (Barnes et al, 2014;Bush et al, 2015), which defines the match running performance among professional soccer players (Modric et al, 2022;Modric, Versic, et al, 2021). Indeed, these demands during training sessions may also determine the outcomes of matches (Modric, Jelicic, et al, 2021). A common method to assess these demands in soccer players is the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (Yo-Yo IRT) (Castagna et al, 2020;Deprez et al, 2015).…”