A test to evaluate the physical impact on technical performance in soccer

Thomas Rostgaard, F. Marcello Iaia, Dennis S. Simonsen, Jens Bangsbo

    28 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    The aim of the study was to develop and examine a test for evaluation of the physical and technical capacity of soccer players. Fourteen youth elite (YE) and seven sub-elite (SE) players performed a physical and technical test (PT-test) consisting of 10 long kicks interspersed with intense intermittent exercise. In addition, a control test (CON-test) without intense exercise was performed. In both cases, the test result was evaluated by the precision of the 10 kicks. The players also performed the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2). For the SE-players, blood samples were obtained and heart rate was measured before, during, and after the PT-test. A muscle biopsy was collected before and after the PT-test. Coefficient of variation for the PT- and CON-test was 11.7% and 16.0%, respectively. The YE-players performed better (P < 0.05) than the SE-players in both the PT-test (16.3 +/- 0.8 (+/-SE) vs. 13.2 +/- 1.3 points) and CON-test (24.4 +/- 0.7 vs. 20.5 +/- 1.6 points) with no difference in the relative PT-test result (PT-test/CON-test: 0.63 +/- 0.03 vs. 0.64 +/- 0.03). Summed performance of the first 5 repetitions was higher (P < 0.05) than for the last 5 repetitions (8.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 6.9 +/- 0.5; n = 20). The YE-players performed better (P < 0.05) than the SE-players during Yo-Yo IR2 (1023 +/- SE vs. 893 +/- SE m). The mean heart rate during the PT-test was 173 +/- 4 b.p.m. (90 +/- 2% of HRmax). Blood lactate, glucose, and ammonia reached 5.6 +/- 0.7, 6.2 +/- 0.6 mmol L(-1), and 76 +/- 11 umol L(-1) at the end of the test, respectively. After the test muscle CP, glycogen and lactate was 52.9 +/- 6.6, 354 +/- 39, and 25.3 +/- 5.9 mmol kg(-1) d.w., respectively. In summary, the PT-test can be used to evaluate a soccer player's technical skills under conditions similar to intense periods of a soccer game.
    Original languageEnglish
    JournalJournal of Strength and Conditioning Research
    Volume22
    Issue number1
    Pages (from-to)283-292
    Number of pages10
    ISSN1064-8011
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2008

    Cite this