Effect of playing position and microcycle days on the acceleration speed profile of elite football players

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the differences in the A-S profile of elite football players induced by playing position and the microcycle day. Players belonged to a second division club in the Spanish La Liga competition. They were classified into five playing positions: central defenders (CD), full backs (FB), midfielders (MF), wide midfielders (WMF) and forwards (FW). Microcycle days were categorised according to the days until matchday (MD, MD-1, MD-2, MD-3, MD-4 and MD-5). Data was collected along six microcycles, including one match per microcycle. The variables analysed were: maximal theoretical acceleration (A₀), maximal theoretical speed (S₀), maximal acceleration (ACC_max), maximal speed (S_max) and A-S slope (AS_slope). Significant differences were found within positions and microcycle day for all variables (p < 0.05). Match day (MD) showed greater values than the training sessions in A₀, ACC_max and S_max (p < 0.05). The highest values for variables associated with acceleration capabilities were found in CD on MD, whereas speed variables were higher in WMF. MD-2 showed the lowest values in all variables except for AS_slope. Maximal acceleration and sprint abilities are therefore affected by playing position. Wide positions showed the highest speed capacity, and CD presented a likely acceleration profile. Higher values for all variables concerning the microcycle day, were achieved on MD, and were not reproduced during training with the consequent injury risk and performance decrease it takes.

Figure 1

Acceleration-speed profile of elite football players on different training and match days in the microcycle. Acc = acceleration (m/s2); Speed (m/s). MD = matchday.

Figure 2

Variables in acceleration-speed profile on training sessions relative to match day. Data is presented as the percentage relative to matchday. A0 = theoretical maximal acceleration. S0 = theoretical maximal speed. Slope = -A0/S0. AccMax = maximal acceleration with an initial speed above 3 m/s. SMax = maximal speed. MD = match day.