Do Soccer Players Sprint Enough?
Your weekly research review
By James de Lacey
October 28th, 2020 | 4 min read
- Background & Objective
- What They Did
- What They Found
- Practical Takeaways
- Reviewer’s Comments
- About the Reviewer
- Comments
Original study
Background & Objective
Hamstring injuries are the most common injury in soccer (see HERE). It is often thought a chronic level of high- speed running (18-22 km.h-1) can help protect against these injuries, however, these speeds may not actually be fast enough. Evidence suggests sprints that are >90% of maximal velocity, could be enough to protect against hamstring injury (see HERE). Over- and underexposure to these intensities leads to a higher risk of injury, suggesting an optimal dose may exist.
Due to the lack of data relating to the occurrences of sprint speed (>80%, >85%, >90% of maximum velocity), the authors of this study investigated the number of sprint occurrences during matches in these percentages to provide a theoretical framework for S&C coaches
What They Did
Data from thirty-five professional players (age = 23 ± 3 yr) who competed in the 1st French and European Leagues were analysed from four consecutive seasons. Maximal sprint speed (MSS) was measured using global positioning system devices (STATSports) during either 1) sprint training sessions (3-4 flying 20-30m sprints racing each other), or 2) during match-play.
The two main variables examined were: 1) the number of cumulative runs reaching >80%, >85%, >90% of players individual MSS, and 2) the cumulative distance above each threshold. Players were classified into four main positions, central defender (CD), wide defender (WD), midfielder (MD), or attacker (AT). Congested periods were also analysed consisting of 2-6 matches played successively <4 days.
What They Found
Practical Takeaways
Compensation session when match not played:
Reviewer’s Comments
“With much of soccer match-play sitting within the middle-intensity zone (approximately 4.5-5.5 m.s-1), it’s important to touch on the high-velocity end during training to ensure adequate exposure to maximal sprinting.
When two matches are played a week, this will likely be enough to keep a chronic loading of near-maximal sprinting. It’s important to keep bench and non-players topped up with sprint work frequently, as to not cause a spike in load when the player is asked to play two games a week.”
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James de Lacey
James was the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Romanian Rugby Union. He has previously worked in America’s professional rugby competition Major League Rugby with Austin Elite and the NZ Women’s National Rugby League Team. He is a published author and has completed a MSc in Sport & Exercise Science from AUT, Auckland, NZ.
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