The influence of intermittent high-intensity shuttle running and fluid ingestion on the performance of a soccer skill

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of intermittent high-intensity shuttle running and fluid ingestion on the performance of a soccer skill. Nine semi-professional soccer players volunteered to participate in the study. Their mean (+/- s(x)) age, body mass and maximal oxygen uptake were 20.2+/-0.4 years, 73.2+/-1.8 kg and 59.1+/-1.3 ml x kg(-1) min(-1) respectively. The players were allocated to two randomly assigned trials: ingesting or abstaining from fluid intake during a 90 min intermittent exercise protocol (Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test: LIST). This test was designed to simulate the minimum physical demands faced by soccer players during a game. Before and immediately after performance of the test, the players completed a soccer skill test and a mental concentration test. Performance of the soccer skill test after the 'no-fluid' trial deteriorated by 5% (P<0.05), but was maintained during the fluid trial. Mean heart rate, perceived exertion, serum aldosterone, osmolality, sodium and cortisol responses during the test were higher (P<0.05) in the 'no-fluid' trial than in the fluid trial. The results of this study suggest that soccer players should consume fluid throughout a game to help prevent a deterioration in skill performance.

Fluid and fuel intake during exercise

“…The total period of 60 min or more is broken up into shorter exercise durations, thereby simulating the demands of many sports (basketball, soccer, hockey) in which high-intensity exercise is interspersed with periods of recovery (Murray et al, 1987(Murray et al, , 1989Mitchell et al, 1989). Carbohydrate ingestion is ergogenic during 15-min bouts of intermittent 'shuttle running' performed several times (five times), as well as during repeated high-intensity intervals of 1 min duration (and 3 min recovery) (Nicholas et al, 1995;Davis et al, 1997Davis et al, , 1999Davis et al, , 2000aMcGregor et al, 1999;Welsh et al, 2002). Thus, the total duration of these work-rest bouts was over 60 min.…”

High-intensity intermittent running and field hockey skill performance in the heat

“…This lack of research is partially due to the difficulties of undertaking field-testing. McGregor et al (1999) found that, following prolonged intermittent high intensity running in moderate conditions, skill performance is decreased when subjects refrained from fluid replacement. Skill performance was maintained when water was ingested ad libitum.…”

“…However, very few researchers have investigated how fatiguing exercise may influence motor skill performance and cognitive functioning (Dawson et al, 1985;Rico-Sanz et al, 1996;Vergauwen et al, 1998;McGregor et al 1999). In this context, fatigue does not refer to the termination of a particular form of exercise, but rather that in the course of an activity, such as soccer or field hockey, distance run and exercise intensity will be reduced, but not terminated during a match.…”

“…Suggested mechanisms underlying such performance decrements following either match play or prolonged intermittent high intensity running include low glycogen concentrations, hypoglycaemia or dehydration (Shephard and Leatt, 1987;Jacobs, 1988;Leatt and Jacobs, 1988;Rico-Sanz et al, 1996;McGregor et al, 1999).…”

Are declines in physical performance associated with a reduction in skill-related performance during professional soccer match-play?

“…Finally, soccer skill performance measured by the time taken to complete a passing test, including penalty time accrued for inaccurate passing or poor control, declined during the final 15 min of exercise within a 90-min intermittent running test (Ali & Williams, 2009). Changes in arousal (Ali & Williams, 2009), decreased neuromuscular and cognitive function , glycogen depletion and dehydration (McGregor, Nicholas, Lakomy, & Williams, 1999) are possible candidate factors for impaired skill-related performance during and/or towards the end of such exercise.…”