Match Activities of Elite Women Soccer Players at Different Performance Levels

• Published in: Journal of strength and conditioning research Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 341 - 349
• Main Authors: Mohr, Magni, Krustrup, Peter, Andersson, Helena, Kirkendal, Donald, Bangsbo, Jens
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States National Strength and Conditioning Association 01.03.2008; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies
• Subjects: Athletes; Athletic Performance - physiology; Competition; Fatigue; Fatigue - physiopathology; Female; Humans; Idrott; INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AREAS; International standards; Physical fitness; Soccer; Soccer - physiology; Sport Science; Sports; Sports training; Studies; Time and Motion Studies; TVÄRVETENSKAPLIGA FORSKNINGSOMRÅDEN; Videotape Recording; Women
• ISSN: 1064-8011; 1533-4287; 1533-4287
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318165fef6

We sought to study the physical demands and match performance of women soccer players. Nineteen top-class and 15 high-level players were individually videotaped in competitive matches, and time-motion analysis were performed. The players changed locomotor activity >1,300 times in a game corresponding to every ~4 seconds and covered 9-11 km in total. The top-class players ran 28% longer (P < 0.05) at high intensities than high-level players (1.68 ± 0.09 and 1.33 ± 0.10 km, respectively) and sprinted 24% longer (P < 0.05). The top-class group had a decrease (P < 0.05) of 25-57% in high intensity running in the final 15 minutes compared with the first four 15-minutes intervals, whereas the high-level group performed less (P < 0.05) high-intensity running in the last 15 minutes of each half in comparison with the 2 previous 15-minute periods in the respective half. Peak distance covered by high intensity running in a 5-minute interval was 33% longer (P < 0.05) for the top-class players than the high-level players. In the following 5 minutes immediately after the peak interval top-class players covered 17% less (P < 0.05) high-intensity running than the game average. Defenders performed fewer (P < 0.05) intervals of high-intensity running than midfielders and attackers, as well as fewer (P < 0.05) sprints than the attackers. In conclusion, for women soccer players (1) top-class international players perform more intervals of high-intensity running than elite players at a lower level, (2) fatigue develops temporarily during and towards the end of a game, and (3) defenders have lower work rates than midfielders and attackers. The difference in high-intensity running between the 2 levels demonstrates the importance of intense intermittent exercise for match performance in women soccer. Thus, these aspects should be trained intensively in women soccer.