Effects of Contextual Variables on Match Load in a Professional Soccer Team Attending to the Different Season Periods

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the effects of contextual variables (i.e., match location and match outcome) and season periods on match load (i.e., internal and external load) in professional Brazilian soccer players. Thirty-six professional players from the same soccer team participated in this study. The season was split into four phases: matches 1–16 (i.e., Phase 1 = P1); matches 17–32 (i.e., Phase 2 = P2); matches 33–48, (i.e., Phase 3 = P3); matches 49–65 (i.e., Phase 4 = P4). Considering match outcome, when the team wins, Cognitive load, Emotional load, and Affective load were significantly higher in away vs. home matches (p p 19 km·h−1/min were significantly lower in P1 than P2 (p p p < 0.001). These results suggest to strength and conditioning coaches the need to consider the outcome and location of the previous game when planning the week, as well as the phase of the season they are in to reduce fatigue and injury risk.

Keywords

• workload
• football
• team sports
• monitoring
• GPS