INTRODUCTION: During the past decade, high-intensity running has exponentially increased throughout soccer matches (1, 2), being considered a key factor in elite soccer (3). In this regard, elite soccer players spend longer times at low speeds across training sessions compared to those attained during matches (4, 5). Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the training load and high-intensity running recorded during training sessions and official matches. METHODS: On-field in-season training load during four training days was analyzed with respect to the number of days before or after a match (MD; MD+1; MD-4, MD-3 and MD-2) (5). A total of ten young soccer players from an U23 semi-professional team (22.4 years ± 2.0) and an U19 (17.9 years ± 0.6) elite team, having played at least 60 min during 14 matches, were included into this study. Running activity was collected with GPS (Catapult, EVO) and the following variables were analyzed: total distance covered (TD), distance covered between 19.9 and 25.2 km.h-1 (HID), distance covered at above 25.2 km.h-1 (SR) and peak speed achieved (PS). RESULTS: Match demands were significantly higher to all training days in both teams (p < 0.05), except for PS which were not significantly different in MD-3, as well as SR for U23 team (p = 1.000). Multiple differences were found between teams, in particular, significant higher values of TD and HSR were observed during MD, MD+1, MD-4, MD-3 and MD-2 in U19 compared to U23. Moreover, no significant differences were found during MD-3 in SR and PS between teams (p = 0.227 and 0.195, respectively). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that high-intensity running during training sessions are lower than those achieved during matches in young soccer players, regardless to their performance level. Moreover, MD-3 is the typical high-velocity training day, although it is not enough to stimulate the competitions demands in young elite teams.
© Copyright 2022 27th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Sevilla, 30. Aug - 2. Sep 2022. Julkaistu Tekijä Faculty of Sport Science - Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Kaikki oikeudet pidätetään. / Kääntänyt https://www.DeepL.com/Translator