Monitoring acute fatigue in soccer players : School of Sport and Exercise, College of Health, Massey University

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Date
2016
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Massey University
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Abstract
Monitoring fatigue is a key consideration when managing the workloads of elite soccer players. A number of potential fatigue markers have been proposed, however, little work has been done in order to assess the correlation between such measures and actual performance.Therefore, the objectives of this study were:(1) to examine the correlation between a range of simple fatigue tests and physical performance; and (2) to develop a model by which readiness to perform could be predicted. In order to do this 14 amateur soccer players completed a range of fatigue tests (countermovement jump, resting heart rate variability, functional soreness, and subjective wellness) and a performance test (3x 30 m repeated sprint test) before and after (24, 48, and 72 hours post) undertaking a soccer simulation protocol (Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test; LIST). Following the LIST repeated sprint performance and countermovement jump height, and heart rate variability were reduced, perceived soreness increased, and subjective wellness declined. Of the fatigue measures used, only countermovement jump height was found to be correlated with repeated sprint performance. Three models for predicting performance were developed which differed in their degree of individuality. Individual models were found to have a greater strength than the general model. For practitioners, more work is required to develop individual models, however, predictions made from individual models are likely to be more accurate. Future studies are needed to refine these models in order that they might be used in practice to make decisions about readiness to train and perform.
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Soccer, Physiological aspects, Fatigue, Sport and exercise, Exercise physiology, Research Subject Categories::INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH AREAS::Sports
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