ECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP12
INTRODUCTION: Field hockey is a team sport that requires a lot of technical, tactical and physical activity. Players need to use the hockey stick to control the hockey, and cooperate with teammates to complete a variety of technical and tactical actions [1]. The 2015 new FIH rules increased the requirements of physical activities of athletes in the matches [2]. In addition, the application of GPS and inertial motion analysis (IMA) in the field of hockey matches further improved the match-analysis level of field hockey games [3,4]. Thus, using the latest GPS and IMA technology to reveal the physical demands of elite female hockey players under the 2015 new FIH rules is very important. METHODS: 21 high level matches’ data of 22 elite Chinese females field hockey athletes [Age: (23.5±4.9) years old; Height: (168.5±4.6) cm; Weight: (62.4±5.3) kg; BMI: (22.0±1.7) kg/m2] were recorded by IMA units (Optimeye S5, Catapult Sports, Australia, 10Hz). The paired sample T-test was used to compare the differences between different positions and different quarters, significant difference was set at P < 0.05, and very significant difference was set at P < 0.01. RESULTS: The elite female field hockey athletes covered 45.5±15.5 min average playing time, 5021.5±1535.0 m average total running distance (544.0±210.8 m in high-speed running, 11.2%±3.8% of total running distance), 52.6±24.0 times medium and high (M&H) IMA movements and 112.9±14.0 m/min average running speed per game. Regarding the sprint performance, the elite female field hockey athletes performed 167.9±85.3 m total sprint distance, 11.2±5.5 times sprint times and 15.2±3.8 m average sprint distance per game. Compared with the strikers and midfielders, defenders performed significant lower high-speed running (HSR) distance percentage, average running speed, HSR distance percentage per minute ( P＜0.01), and significant higher total M&H IMA movement, M&H acceleration movements, M&H deceleration movements, M&H change of direction left, M&H change of direction right ( P＜0.05). CONCLUSION: The elite female field hockey athletes should have more substitutions, lower playing time in future competitions; the high-speed running distance percentage should above 20% in the future high intensity training sessions; should focus on intermit running and recovery sessions, to improve the ability of intermit running and recovery; should have specific training schedule to develop the high-speed running capacity of strikers and midfielders, and the explosive capacity of defenders. 1. Reilly et al., (1992) 2. McMahon and Kennedy, (2019) 3. Kapteijns et al., (2021) 4. Cai, (2017)
Read CV Xudan CaiECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP12
INTRODUCTION: In elite soccer, weekly workload management is commonly used with the aim objective of enhancing performance and reducing fatigue. Despite the widespread implementation of weekly workload monitoring in professional clubs, the relationship between load distribution and performance remains unclear. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted using PubMed and ScienceDirect databases until December 2024. The analysis was performed in two steps: first, characterizing weekly workload distribution patterns within microcycles, and second, examining their effects on performance outcomes. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess methodological quality. RESULTS: Thirty-six studies met the inclusion criteria, with a moderate methodological quality score (5 ± 0.84/9). Analysis revealed a consistent weekly periodization model characterized by three phases: post-match recovery (MD+1/MD+2), peak load distribution (MD-4/MD-3), and pre-match tapering (MD-2/MD-1). While this general framework was common across teams, variations were observed in its practical implementation across all phases of the microcycle. Regarding performance outcomes, only two studies (5.4%) examined the direct impact of load distribution through specific performance tests, with limited evidence to establish clear impacts of weekly training load patterns on physical performance. CONCLUSION: Despite a common weekly periodization framework across elite football teams, substantial variations exist in its practical implementation throughout each phase of the microcycle. Most importantly, there is a critical lack of evidence regarding the impact of these different load distribution strategies on performance outcomes. Future research should prioritize examining this impact to establish evidence-based recommendations for practitioners.
Read CV Guillaume LafranceECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP12
INTRODUCTION: Coordination training in soccer plays a crucial role in the integrated development of players’ technical, physical, and tactical skills. Several studies have highlighted the close correlation between high levels of physical fitness and specific coordination skills, demonstrating how these factors improve cognitive functions related to the game [1, 2]. Another key element in soccer is the role of cortisol—the stress hormone—which is released in response to motivational and goal-relevant tasks in competition [3]. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an experimental warm-up protocol designed to improve motor coordination and optimize biomarker levels in elite soccer players. METHODS: Thirty-two male soccer players (age: 24.7 ± 3.1 years) from two elite regional teams were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG; n = 18) or a control group (CG; n = 14). Over 12 weeks, the EG performed a specialized warm-up consisting of four progressive coordination exercises for the upper and lower limbs using various balls, four times per week (including game days), while the CG maintained their usual routine focusing on joint mobility and muscle activation. Technical and coordination abilities were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Y Pre-Planned Agility Test, the Y Reactive Agility Test, the Illinois Change of Direction Test (ICODT) with and without the ball, and the Loughborough Soccer Shooting Test (SHOT). Urine samples were collected before and after the intervention to measure levels of cortisol, dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline. RESULTS: RM-ANOVA revealed significant improvements in the Illinois Ball Test and Technical Index, with the experimental group showing significant progression from pre- to post-assessment (p < 0.001) and performing significantly better than the control group (p = 0.017). Significant improvements were also found in the Unplanned Y Test and Reaction Index, with the experimental group demonstrating marked gains from pre- to post-assessment (p < 0.001) and performing significantly better than the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, significant differences were observed in shooting accuracy, with the experimental group showing marked improvement from pre- to post-assessment (p < 0.001) and performing significantly better than the control group (p < 0.05). The experimental group also exhibited a significant reduction in cortisol levels (p = 0.0007); post-intervention comparisons between groups (p = 0.003) and delta analysis (p = 0.036) further confirmed a more pronounced reduction in cortisol levels in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: The study highlights that the adoption of a coordinative warm-up protocol not only enhances technical performance and change of direction ability but also promotes a more favourable regulation of cortisol level in elite soccer players. 1.Baccouch (2024) 2. Buchel (2022) 3. Page et al. (2024)
Read CV Gloria Di ClaudioECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP12