The Effect of Transition Period on Performance Parameters in Elite Female Soccer Players

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a 4-week off-season period (transition period) on the anthropometric and performance parameters in elite female soccer players who participated in the UEFA women’s Champions league. Eighteen female players (age 23.6±4.3 years) underwent testing at the end of the competitive period and right after the transition period. An incremental cardiopulmonary testing, body composition assessment and isokinetic testing at 60 °/sec were performed on both occasions. The cardiopulmonary exercise testing revealed that VO2max (p=0.001) and time on the treadmill (p=0.000) were significantly reduced after the transition period that included a 2 times/week exercise regimen. Furthermore, the quadriceps torque production at 60 °/s was significantly reduced for both the right (p=0.013) and left quadriceps (p=0.004) following the transition period. Finally, body weight (p=0.001) and body fat (p=0.000) significantly increased after 4 weeks of significantly reduced training volume. It is concluded that the transition period negatively affected the anthropometric and performance parameters of the female players. These data maybe informative for coaches and trainers as they demonstrate that despite the efforts to keep the players physically active the performance parameters decreased significantly.</jats:p>

Effects of a period without mandatory physical training on maximum oxygen uptake and anthropometric parameters in naval cadets

“…However, it is important to analyze the ES for each variable studied, which allows us to observe each phenomenon’s degree of presence, independent of the alpha level calculated [ 52 ]. In this study, like in research by Parpa & Michaelides [ 24 ], all ES in the tests with significant differences in VO 2 max, including men and all data analysis, oscillated between 0.2–0.6. This was considered a small effect.…”

“…As demonstrated in this study, a vacation period without mandatory physical training generates decreases in the VO 2 max [ 37 ] and negatively affects anthropometric parameters [ 51 ]. Therefore, the vacation periods must be adapted into a transition phase [ 24 , 25 ]. In this way, with controlled and directed physical training, both athletes and naval cadets will have optimal physical recovery and maintenance; this condition will allow them to face better the next cycle of physical training [ 23 ].…”

“…Additionally, physical training carried out regularly, and with the principles of intensity, volume, and frequency, will minimize muscular fatigue [ 22 ] and favor the physiological adaptations of the body [ 17 ]. Despite the above, there is also a transition phase in sports periodization [ 23 ]; this stage corresponds to the interruption of physical training [ 24 ], which can be short term (less than four weeks) or long term (more than four weeks) [ 25 ]. However, if professionals do not control the transition phase, there is a high probability of provoking a detraining [ 25 ].…”

Functional and Anthropometrical Screening Test among High Performance Female Football Players: A Descriptive Study with Injury Incidence Analysis, the Basque Female Football Cohort (BFFC) Study

“…Lumbopelvic complex and lower limb muscle strength imbalances have been proposed as risk factors for articular or muscular injuries in these players [52]. The quadriceps and hamstring HHD values reported in this research were shown to be greater than those previously reported among elite Cypriot [55] and North American adolescent female football players [54]. Similarly, Farley et al [50] also reported lower hamstring and slightly decreased isometric peak force values among elite female Australian rules football players.…”

The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on professional soccer players' body composition and physical fitness.

“…Notwithstanding these findings, in both cases, the values were still below the average of 60 ml/kg · min, which is reported as a minimal satisfactory threshold for elite soccer players [ 26 ]. Research affirms that detraining elicited reductions in VO 2max of professional [ 27 ] and semiprofessional male [ 28 ] players as well as elite female soccer players [ 29 ]. In addition, research indicated that players who followed a training program during the transition period demonstrated lower reductions in VO 2max values compared to those who did not follow any program [ 27 ].…”