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Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(10): 709-716
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1261897
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Repeated-Sprint Sequences During Youth Soccer Matches

M. Buchheit1 , A. Mendez-villanueva1 , B. M. Simpson1 , P. C. Bourdon1
  • 1Physiology Unit, Sport Science Department ASPIRE, Academy for Sports Excellence, Doha, Qatar
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision June 03, 2010

Publication Date:
08 July 2010 (online)

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Abstract

This study examined the occurrence and nature of repeated-sprint sequences (RSS) in highly-trained young soccer players, as a function of age, playing position and playing time. Time-motion analyses using a global positioning system (GPS) were performed on 99 highly-trained young soccer (U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U18) players during 42 international games. Sprint activities were defined as at least a 1-s run at intensities higher than 61% of the individual peak running velocity; RSS, as a minimum of 2 consecutive sprints interspersed with a maximum of 60 s. During the first half of games the younger teams had a greater number of RSS than the older teams (P<0.001): U13>U14>U16>U15>U18>U17. The younger players also performed more (e. g., U14 vs. U17: 2.8±0.3 vs. 2.6±0.3, P<0.05) and longer (e. g., U14 vs. U17: 2.8±0.5 vs. 2.6±0.5 s, P<0.05) sprints per sequence than the older players. RSS occurrence was also affected by playing position and decreased throughout the game in most age-groups (P<0.001). Both the occurrence and the nature of RSS are affected by age, position and playing time. Present results also question the importance of repeated-sprint ability as a crucial physical component of soccer performance in developing players.

Key words

football - repeated-sprint ability - high intensity running - adolescents - individualized intensity thresholds

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Correspondence

Dr. Martin Buchheit

Physiology Unit, Sport Science

Department

ASPIRE, Academy for Sports

Excellence

P.O. Box 22287, DohaQatar

Phone: (+974) 413 6103

Fax: (+974) 413 6060

Email: martin.buchheit@aspire.qa