Author(s): SPARKS, M., STRAUSS, A., PIENAAR, C., Institution: NORTH WEST UNIVERSITY, Country: SOUTH AFRICA, Abstract-ID: 2176

INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this study was to describe the aerobic, anaerobic, and short-passing performance of sub-elite female soccer players and to determine the effect of aerobic and anaerobic fatigue on the performance of these skills
METHODS:
Forty-eight South African female football players participated in the study. Players completed the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT) before and directly following the execution of an anaerobic repeated sprint ability (RSA) test and an aerobic Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) test. Peak heart rate and blood lactate concentration were obtained following the fatiguing exercises
RESULTS:
A decline in the LSPT performance was found in terms of passing, penalty and total time following both fatiguing exercises. A significant (p<0.001) increase in penalty time (32.6%) and total performance time (10.1%) was recorded following the Yo-Yo IR1. Penalty time (20.4%) and total performance time (8.5%) also increased following the RSA test. Moderate to high correlations were found between Yo-Yo IR1(r = -0.47 – -0.51) and RSA (r = -0.40 – -0.48) results with baseline LSPT performance. Percentage decline in LSPT performance was not significantly associated with Yo-Yo IR1 and RSA performance.
CONCLUSION:
Physical fatigue has a detrimental effect on short-passing ability, with aerobic fatigue influencing passing accuracy more than anaerobic fatigue, resulting in a larger decline in technical skill performance. While higher fitness levels were associated with superior baseline technical performance, they did not protect players from the relative deterioration of skills once fatigued.