article information

Asian Journal of Sports Medicine: Vol.5, issue 1; 47-53
published online: December 25, 2013
article type: Research Article
received: March 2, 2013
accepted: October 7, 2013
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.34233
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Physical Activity during a Prolonged Congested Period in a Top-Class European Football Team

authors:

avatar Lo Djaoui 1 , * , avatar Del P. Wong 2 , avatar Vincent Pialoux 1 , avatar Christophe Hautier 1 , avatar Cristiano D. Da Silva 3 , avatar Karim Chamari 4 , avatar Alexandre Dellal 6

Centre de Recherche et d'Innovation sur le Sport (CRIS), Universit de Lyon 1, France
Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Viosa, Viosa, Brazil
Research and Education Centre, Aspetar, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
FIFA Medical Excellence Centre, Santy Orthopedicae clinical, sport science and research department, Lyon, France

how to cite: Djaoui L, Wong D P, Pialoux V, Hautier C, Da Silva C D, et al. Physical Activity during a Prolonged Congested Period in a Top-Class European Football Team. Asian J Sports Med. 2014;5(1):34233. https://doi.org/10.5812/asjsm.34233.

Abstract

Purpose:

The aim of the present study was to examine the variation in physical activity of elite soccer players within successive prolonged periods of fixture congestion over 5 months of competition during the competitive season 2011-2012.

Methods:

Sixteen international players, classified into 6 positions (central defenders: CD; full-backs: FB; central defensive midfielders: CDM; wide midfielders: WM; central attacking midfielders: CAM; forwards: FW), were examined during the French First League, French Cup, and UEFA Champion's League matches. The total distance covered at light (<12 km.h?1), sustained-cruising (>18-21 km.h?1), high (>21-23 km.h?1), very high (>23-25 km.h?1), sub-maximal (>25-27 km.h?1), and maximal (>27 km.h?1) intensity running (IR) were measured and analysed using a semi-automatic match analysis system (Amisco Pro).

Results:

No differences were observed between congested and non-congested periods (two vs. one match a week, respectively) for the total distance covered at all the speed thresholds over 18 km.h?1, with no variation in physical fitness over the 5 studied months. Specifically to the playing positions, regardless of the congestion periods, FB and WM covered more distance than CDM over 21km.h?1; FB, WM and FW covered similar distances for all running intensities; and CD and CDM covered shorter distance during non-congested compared to congested periods (P<0.05) at light-IR.

Conclusion:

The present study reveals that prolonged congested match fixture did not affect the high-intensity physical activity of top-class soccer players during official games during a 5 months fixture period.

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