The Effects of Pre-Season and Relationships with Physical, Physiological, Body Composition, and Load Markers: A Case Study Comparing Starters versus Non-Starters from an Elite Female Professional Soccer Team

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Research on female soccer players that analyzes playing status is scarce and has previously only examined load monitoring, while other markers, such as physical (i.e., strength, power, and agility), physiological (i.e., maximal oxygen uptake), and body composition (i.e., body fat mass, fat-free mass, body water, and phase angle) markers, warrant further investigation. Thus, the study aims were to (a) compare physical, physiological, body composition, and load markers between starters and non-starters; (b) compare measurements pre- and post-training intervention (five weeks); and (c) analyze any relationships between physical, physiological, body composition, and load markers in an elite female soccer team. Materials and Methods: Fourteen first-team players participated in the study (age 23.29 ± 3.19 years, weight 59.14 ± 6.87 kg, height 1.66 ± 0.08 m). Several physical (n = 15), physiological (n = 1), body composition (n = 11), and load markers (n = 14) were collected. In addition, participants were sub-divided into starters (n = 7) and non-starters (n = 7). Results: No differences were revealed between starters and non-starters in any of the examined variables. Moreover, following the training intervention, a significantly lower value was found for total body water/fat-free mass ratio (p = 0.043; ES = 0.582). In addition, there were several correlations detected between load and physical/physiological markers (n = 28); load and body composition markers (n = 6); physical/physiological and body composition markers (n = 34); and physical and physiological markers (n = 42). Conclusions: In conclusion, only a slight tendency of higher load values for starters than non-starters was observed. In addition, no differences in physical, physiological, and body composition markers were found between starters and non-starters, possibly suggesting that five weeks were not enough to improve such variables. Finally, the present results provide novel information assessing the effects of the pre-season in elite female Portuguese soccer players and contribute to a better understanding of the associations between different types of measurements.

The Evolution of Physical Performance throughout an Entire Season in Female Football Players

“…To our knowledge, this is the first study showing the evolution of physical performance throughout an entire season in female football players. Most of the studies carried out so far are based on punctual determinations at one moment throughout a season [ 19 , 22 , 27 ]. Our study comprises a whole season of a total of 27 players from two teams playing in the same football category.…”

“…Likewise, other authors have reported significant declines in aerobic capacity and vertical jump from the preseason until the end of the season, although only two time points were measured [ 21 ]. A recent study conducted with elite female Portuguese football players did not find any improvement in physical performance following a 5-week training intervention [ 22 ].…”

“…To our knowledge, no study has assessed seasonal variation in high-intensity performance indicators in female football players. Since men and women show different physiological profiles [ 22 ], male and female football players may not present similar behaviors throughout the season. For instance, a greater proportion of type I fibers in specific muscle groups among females [ 23 ] may influence program design and subsequent adaptations for men and women.…”