Effects of 1 Versus 2 Games a Week on Physical and Subjective Scores of Subelite Soccer Players
in International Journal of Sports Physiology and PerformanceClick name to view affiliation
The physical-performance profiles of subelite male footballers were monitored during 6 wk of a competitive season. The same squad of players played either 1 (1G, n = 15) or 2 (2G, n = 15) competitive matches per week. On weeks 0, 3, and 6, 48 h postmatch, players completed countermovement jump (CMJ), 10- and 20-m sprints, the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (YYIRT), and the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire. Both groups undertook 2 weekly training sessions. The 2G showed after 6 wk lower YYIRT (–11% to 3%, 90% CI –15.8% to –6.8%; P < .001) and CMJ performances (–18.7%, –21.6 to –15.9%; P = .007) and higher 10-m (4.4%, 1.8–6.9%; P = .007) and 20-m sprints values (4.7%, 2.9% to 6.4%; P < .001). No differences were found at 3 wk (.06 < P < .99). No changes over time (.169 < P < .611) and no differences time × group interactions (.370 < P < .550) were found for stress, recovery, and the Stress Recovery Index. In conclusion players’ ability to sprint, jump, and perform repeated intense exercise was impaired when playing 2 competitive matches a week over 6 wk.
Rollo is with the School of Sport Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK. Impellizzeri is with the Dept of Research and Development, FIFA Medical Center of Excellence, Zurich, Switzerland. Zago and Iaia are with the Dept of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Studies of Milan, Milan, Italy. Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Ian Rollo. E-mail: ian.rollo@pepsico.com
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