The Influence of Seasonal Period and Match Outcome on External Load in Professional Soccer Players: Analyzing the Effect of Winning and Losing Streaks

Abstract

The aim of this study was threefold: (i) to analyze the influence of previous match outcome on subsequent weekly training load (TL); (ii) to examine whether accumulated weekly TL varies throughout the season; and (iii) to investigate the influence of performance streaks got during competition on subsequent weekly TL. Twenty-one Spanish male professional soccer players from the same team were involved in the study. Total distance (TD), medium-speed running (MSR, distance 10.8-18.0 km·h^-1), high-speed running (HSR, >21 km·h^-1), very high-speed running (VHSR, 18.0-25.2 km·h^-1), sprinting speed running distance (sprint, >25.2 km·h^-1), player load (PL), number of accelerations (ACC), and decelerations (DEC) were recorded during training sessions using 10 Hz GPS devices. Previous match outcome, period of the season, and the performance streaks were also considered. Linear mixed models showed that team covered significantly less TD during the week after draw than after win (p < 0.05). In addition, most of the variables decreased as the season progressed. Finally, after medium-performance streaks, team covered significantly higher TD compared to high-performance streaks (p < 0.05) and low performance streaks (p < 0.01). These findings showed that low-performance streaks could reduce weekly external TL.

Keywords: external load; football; monitoring; performance; tracking technology.

Figure 1

Weekly training load differences according to latest match outcome. Note: TD = total distance; MSR = medium-speed running; HSR = high-speed running; VHSR = very high-speed running; sprint = sprinting speed running; PL = player load; ACC = accelerations; DEC = decelerations; a = significant differences respect to lose; b = significant differences respect to draw; c = significant differences respect to win; * p < 0.05.

Figure 2

Weekly training load evolution across seasonal periods. Note: TD = total distance; MSR = medium-speed running; HSR = high-speed running; VHSR = very high-speed running; sprint = sprinting speed running; PL = player load; ACC = accelerations; DEC = decelerations; b = significant differences with period 2; c = significant differences with period 3; e = significant differences with period 5; g = significant differences with period 7; * p < 0.05.