Are There Differences in Elite Youth Soccer Player Work Rate Profiles in Congested vs. Regular Match Schedules?

Zanetti, V, Carling, C, Aoki, MS, Bradley, PS, and Moreira, A. Are there differences in elite youth soccer player work rate profiles congested vs. regular match schedules? J Strength Cond Res 35(2): 473–480, 2021—Official international tournaments which players participate can involve very schedules. Yet, no information regarding physical technical performance during (noncongested) cycles is available. In this study, accelerations, decelerations, mean metabolic power (MP), (offensive defensive variables) were compared across (VCM; 10 matches played over 3 successive days, including 2 days with consecutive separated by a 4- to 5-hour interval) (noncongested [NCM]) periods male Under 15 (U15, n = 11) 17 (U17, 13) players. Players wore 15-Hz Global Positioning System unit 100-Hz triaxial accelerometer. The session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) assessed 30 minutes after match. Results showed higher number accelerations per minute observed VCM NCM (U15; 2.27 ± 0.35 2.12 0.23; effect size [ES] 0.49; U17; 0.41 2.01 0.31; ES 0.69). Decelerations 1.99 0.27 1.84 0.25; 0.55; 1.98 1.80 0.27; 0.56). Mean MP was the 0.42 0.06 0.37 0.02; 1.08; 0.46 0.03 0.30 0.03; 1.94). Technical actions for U17 (ES 1.60 1.37, offensive performance, respectively) but lower (during VCM) U15 3.59 0.28, performance). reported RPE (7.9 0.5 AUs 6.9 AUs). findings suggest that running activity these unaffected overall schedules, intensity match-play actually greater than