The aim of this study was to compare the distances at various intensity in
matches and small-sided games in elite-young soccer players using the metabolic
power approach and running speed methods through fixed and individual speed
zones. The second aim was to investigate the difference in high intensity
external workload (% of total distances covered
> 16 km/h or
> 20 W/kg) between matches and small-sided
games. Global positioning system data from 14 elite-youth players were analyzed
during 13 matches and two types of small sided-games. Five intensity zones were
used to compare the running distances between the metabolic power approach and
the classic performance analysis. Metabolic power recorded more distances
covered at high intensity than the running speed methods for every playing
situations, except for the zone 5 of fixed speed
(> 19 km/h) in matches (P<0.05). Smaller
differences of external workload at high intensity were found when using the
metabolic power approach compared to the traditional performance analysis. Our
results highlight that the traditional analysis underestimates the
athlete’s high intensity efforts. The metabolic power approach seems
more relevant to monitor matches and training situations but also to compare
matches to small-sided games in elite-young soccer players.
Key words
time-motion analysis - GPS data - monitoring - elite-young soccer players