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Metabolic Response and Fatigue in Soccer
Abstract and Figures
The physical demands in soccer have been studied intensively, and the aim of the present review is to provide an overview of metabolic changes during a game and their relation to the development of fatigue. Heart-rate and body-temperature measurements suggest that for elite soccer players the average oxygen uptake during a match is around 70% of maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max). A top-class player has 150 to 250 brief intense actions during a game, indicating that the rates of creatine-phosphate (CP) utilization and glycolysis are frequently high during a game, which is supported by findings of reduced muscle CP levels and severalfold increases in blood and muscle lactate concentrations. Likewise, muscle pH is lowered and muscle inosine monophosphate (IMP) elevated during a soccer game. Fatigue appears to occur temporarily during a game, but it is not likely to be caused by elevated muscle lactate, lowered muscle pH, or change in muscle-energy status. It is unclear what causes the transient reduced ability of players to perform maximally. Muscle glycogen is reduced by 40% to 90% during a game and is probably the most important substrate for energy production, and fatigue toward the end of a game might be related to depletion of glycogen in some muscle fibers. Blood glucose and catecholamines are elevated and insulin lowered during a game. The blood free-fatty-acid levels increase progressively during a game, probably reflecting an increasing fat oxidation compensating for the lowering of muscle glycogen. Thus, elite soccer players have high aerobic requirements throughout a game and extensive anaerobic demands during periods of a match leading to major metabolic changes, which might contribute to the observed development of fatigue during and toward the end of a game.
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... Physical effort can also be analyzed using metabolic blood markers, such as glucose and lactate, which are usually closely linked to exercise intensity [31]. Blood glucose analysis might provide useful information on whether the glycogen mobilization level is coping with the energetic demands. ...
... Amongst the metabolic indicators, analogous results for lactate and glucose were found, as both markers increased during the half-time and post-match stages, compared with the pre-match stage. Although there have been no studies reporting a CG in association with half-time analysis for these indicators, the current findings are similar to those of previous studies [31,50]. Increases in serum glucose and lactate support the fact of a considerable anaerobic metabolism contribution during football matches in order to quickly cope with the demands of high-intensity activities [31,50]. ...
... Although there have been no studies reporting a CG in association with half-time analysis for these indicators, the current findings are similar to those of previous studies [31,50]. Increases in serum glucose and lactate support the fact of a considerable anaerobic metabolism contribution during football matches in order to quickly cope with the demands of high-intensity activities [31,50]. A higher lactate production may not represent an effect of a single action; however, it is linked to an accumulated response to several high-intensity activities [31]. ...
The current study verified the acute responses of participants to a football match in terms of blood markers. Sixteen elite U-18 male football players were divided into two groups: experimental (EG, n = 10), who played a friendly football match; and control (CG), who were not exposed to any physical exertion. Intravenous blood samples were collected from both groups at baseline, pre-match, half-time, and post-match. The blood analysis consisted of four groups: immunological (leukocytes, platelets, and cortisol), muscle damage (creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase), metabolic (lactate, glucose, erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and urea), and electrolytic (sodium, calcium, and potassium). Edwards’ training impulse demonstrated that the first half was more demanding than the second half (p = 0.020). Significant changes between time points and groups were observed for leukocytes (pre-match: 6920 ± 1949; post-match: 13,890 ± 3292; p ≤ 0.05) and cortisol (pre-match: 10.78 ± 3.63; post-match: 19.15 ± 7.40; p ≤ 0.05). CK (pre-match: 516.50 ± 248.38; post-match: 713.70 ± 308.20; p ≤ 0.05) and LDH (pre-match: 348.80 ± 36.49; post-match: 414.80 ± 26.55; p ≤ 0.05) increased significantly across the time points for the EG, with no difference between the groups, however. Raised lactate (pre-match: 1.05 ± 0.32; post-match: 3.24 ± 1.60; p ≤ 0.05) and glucose (pre-match: 72.54 ± 9.76; post-match: 101.42 ± 19.87; p ≤ 0.05) differences between the groups at half-time were also observed. These current findings provide helpful information to better understand football match demands regarding physiological effects.
... The present study assessed blood lactate and blood glucose concentrations at 15 min intervals throughout both bouts of highintensity intermittent exercise. The time effect demonstrating lower blood glucose at 60 and 75 min of exercise is similar to previous findings (Bangsbo et al., 2007;Russell et al., 2011). This is thought to be the result of continued glucose uptake by skeletal muscle during the 15 min half-time rest interval without the feedforward stimulation of hepatic glucose release (Bangsbo et al., 2007;Wasserman & Cherrington, 2011). ...
... The time effect demonstrating lower blood glucose at 60 and 75 min of exercise is similar to previous findings (Bangsbo et al., 2007;Russell et al., 2011). This is thought to be the result of continued glucose uptake by skeletal muscle during the 15 min half-time rest interval without the feedforward stimulation of hepatic glucose release (Bangsbo et al., 2007;Wasserman & Cherrington, 2011). A further interesting and novel finding from the present study was that both blood lactate and blood glucose were lower during bout 2 than bout 1. ...
Intermittent team sports, involving high metabolic and mechanical demands, elicit prolonged impairments in neuromuscular function which persist for ∼48–72 h. Whether impairments in neuromuscular function are exacerbated when such exercise is repeated with incomplete recovery is unknown. This study assessed the neuromuscular, heart rate and metabolic responses to two bouts of ∼90 min modified team sport match simulations separated by 48 h in 12 competitive football players. Before and 2 min after both bouts, knee extensor isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), contractile function (Qtw,pot) and voluntary activation (VA) were measured. Heart rate (HR), sprint time, blood lactate and glucose were measured throughout both bouts. MVC was reduced relative to baseline at post‐bout 1 (21 ± 12%; P = 0.003) and pre‐bout 2 (14 ± 11%; P = 0.009), and was lower post‐bout 2 (33 ± 14%; P < 0.001) relative to post‐bout 1 (P = 0.036). Qtw,pot was reduced post‐bout 1 (30 ± 11%; P < 0.001) and pre‐bout 2 (9 ± 6%; P = 0.004), and was not different post‐bout 2 (28 ± 8%; P < 0.001) relative to post‐bout 1 (P = 0.872). VA was reduced post‐bout 1 (8 ± 7%; P = 0.023), recovered pre‐bout 2 (P = 0.133) and was lower post‐bout 2 (16 ± 7%; P < 0.001) relative to post‐bout 1 (P = 0.029). Total sprint time was longer, and HR, blood lactate and glucose were lower during bout 2 than bout 1 (P ≤ 0.021). Thus, impairments in neuromuscular function are exacerbated when high‐intensity intermittent exercise is performed with incomplete recovery concurrent with accentuated reductions in VA. The lower blood lactate and glucose during the second bout might be due, at least in part, to reduced glycogen availability upon commencing exercise and consequently a greater reliance on glucose extraction.
... The body composition of players is influenced by the physical stress caused by professional football [13,14]. Research indicates that factors like nutritional knowledge, food preferences, and level of activity help athletes maintain their ideal body composition [7,[34][35][36][37][38][39][40]. Athletes' current training programs are primarily structured according to the periodization theory [41], which involves the deliberate sequencing of various training units to meet predetermined goals [42,43]. ...
Nutrition periodization in football training is an important determinant of adaptation to cyclic training loads. Personalizing an athlete’s diet is crucial to ensure optimal performance and body composition, depending on the phase of training. The purpose of this review is to answer the question of how the body composition of football players changes over the training macrocycle and how dietary recommendations should be tailored to specific training periods. The review of scientific evidence was conducted based on the available literature, typing in phrases related to training and nutrition periodization using the PubMed and Google Scholar database methodology tools. A literature search resulted in the selection of 346 sources directly related to the topic of the study, and then those with the highest scientific value were selected. There is a need to adjust energy and nutrient intake according to the different training phases in a football player’s preparation cycle. During the preparatory phase, it is recommended to increase protein and energy intake to support anabolic processes and muscle mass development. During the competitive period, due to the intensity of matches and training, the importance of carbohydrates for glycogen replenishment and recovery is emphasized. The transition phase requires the regulation of caloric intake to prevent adverse changes in body composition. Hydration has been identified as a key element in each phase of training. Cooperation between coaches, nutritionists, and players is essential to optimize sports performance and rapid recovery, and the authors recommend continuous adaptation and nutritional optimization as an integral part of football training.
... This impact also affects the capacity for recovery during high-intensity interval training sessions. This result underlines the critical role that aerobic capacity plays in football players' success on the pitch [12]. Therefore, the best way to determine the maximum aerobic capacity and identify a successful player or team is to evaluate the maximum oxygen consumption [3]. ...
This study represents the inaugural investigation into the nutritional status of professional Moroccan football players. The aim of this research was to assess the energy and macronutrient consumption of elite football athletes during their preseason training phase while concurrently exploring possible associations between physical Fitness (PF) especially cardiorespiratory endurance (VO 2 max), macronutrient intake, and body composition. 27 footballers from a Moroccan professional league, 'Botola-Pro', in a consecutive 7 study during a microcycle of the preseason period. Dietary intake was assessed using self-reported methods, supplemented by 24-hour recalls, and body composition was measured using bioelectrical impedance (BI). The Yo-Yo IR test was employed to evaluate cardiorespiratory endurance. The football players had an energy intake significantly below their requirements. Average carbohydrate (CHO) intake fell below the recommendations set by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). However, protein intake was in line with recommendations (1.6 to 2.2 g/kg), and fat intake slightly exceeded the recommended values. The CHO intake was notably lower than recommended. A positive correlation was observed (p < 0.001 and r: 0,831) between CHO and VO 2 max. These results suggest that increasing carbohydrate consumption is associated with improved performance, especially within the range of 6 to 8 g/kg of body mass per day. Conversely, a negative correlation was identified (p < 0.01 and r:-0,514) between the body fat mass (BFM) and VO 2 max. In conclusion, the results of this study underscore aspects of nutrition that could be improved among professional football players to optimize their performance, longevity, and body composition. Therefore, a personalized care approach is highly recommended.
... In soccer, players cover an average total distance of approximately 8-14 km during a complete match, including 90 min of play and added extra time [1][2][3][4], characterized by a highly variable pattern of actions, such as walking, jogging, running at high and low speeds, sprinting, moving backwards, kicking, jumping, and tackling. In addition, it has been calculated that the average oxygen consumption during a match is around 70% of the maximum oxygen consumption (VO 2 max), while the heart rate is approximately 85%, with it being rare to find values below 65% of the maximum values [4,5]. However, when soccer players are dehydrated, they experience a significantly higher heart rate, rate of perceived exertion, blood lactate level, and core body temperature [6]. ...
Exercise can disrupt the fluid balance, hindering performance and athlete health. Limited data exist on fluid balance responses in varying climates, sexes, and ages. This study aimed to measure and compare fluid balance and urine values among elite soccer players during training at high and low temperatures, examining the differences between sexes, playing positions, and competitive levels within men's soccer. During the 2022-2023 competitive season, a descriptive observational study was conducted on 87 soccer players from an elite Spanish soccer team. The study found that none of the groups exceeded weight loss values of 1.5% of their body mass. Additionally, the soccer players studied experienced higher weight loss, fluid intake, and a higher sweat rate (SR) during summer training compared to winter training. During the summer, male U23-21 soccer players exhibited higher levels of weight loss, fluid intake, and a higher SR compared to female soccer players or the U19-17 male category. No significant differences were found between playing positions. In conclusion, differences in the fluid balance were observed based on the climatic conditions, competitive level, and sex.
... Currently, a professional male soccer player covers on average 9-12 km per match, with large differences according to the positional role (Mohr et al., 2003(Mohr et al., , 2005. Some authors have demonstrated that a player performs between 150 and 250 brief, intense actions during a game (Bangsbo et al., 2007). These high-intensity actions are very important in goal-scoring opportunities and they are considered crucial to injury prevention in soccer players since in most of the goals, there is at least one powerful action by the scoring or assisting player, and an appropriate high-intensity ability reduces the risk of injury (Faude et al., 2012;Freeman et al., 2019;Malone et al., 2018). ...
The aim of this study was to compare the running demands of transition games (TGs) and official matches, analysing their requirements according to the performance of each position. An observational design was used to examine the activity of 20 soccer players during official matches and TGs. GPS technology was used to monitor the total distance covered (DC), distance at speeds between 14–17.9 km·h−1, 18–21 km·h−1, and above 21 km·h−1, peak speed, accelerations and decelerations above 2.5 m·s−2, and Player Load for both activities. All players were assigned to groups: centre-backs (CBs), fullbacks (FBs), defensive midfielders (DMFs), offensive midfielders (OMFs), wide midfielders (WMFs) and strikers (Ss). TGs showed greater total DC, DC 14–17.9 km·h−1, DC 18–21 km·h−1, DC >21 km·h−1, accelerations and decelerations >2.5 m·s−2, and Player Load (p < 0.01). CBs, FBs and Ss showed more DC, DC 14–17.9 km·h−1, DC 18–21 km·h−1, DC >21 km·h−1, accelerations and decelerations >2.5 m·s−2 and Player Load in TGs (p < 0.01). In the midfielder positions, transition game players showed greater DC 18–21 km·h−1, DC >21 km·h−1, accelerations and decelerations >2.5 m·s−2 than in matches (p < 0.05). DMFs showed higher total DC (p < 0.05) and WMFs greater DC and DC 14–17.9 km·h−1 (p < 0.01) in these drills. During transition games CBs showed greater DC 14–17.9 km·h−1 than FBs, and greater DC than Ss (p < 0.05). FBs performed more decelerations >2.5 m·s−2 than DMFs and OMFs (p < 0.05). TGs produced a homogenized load in soccer players, independent of their position, which exceeded the external load of official matches.
... After intense periods of activity during team games, the decrease in muscle PCr concentration is correlated with [17][18] impaired running capacity . However, the depletion of muscle PCr after periods of high intensity in collective games 19 seems to be moderate , and other studies showed no changes in muscle PCr concentration at the end of intermittent tests designed to replicate the repeated sprint nature of team 20 games . Thus, in practical aspects, the fatigue behavior seems to be different when taking into account the specific aspects of a timed training such as Tabata protocol and the dynamics of repeated sprints imposed by the game. ...
The study aimed to evaluate the RSA in futsal athletes during Tabata protocol.Cross-sectional investigation,composed of nine professional male futsal athletes,who were currently competing in the silver series of the state championship.Only players who acted on the line (fixed, wings and pivots) were selected. Aerobic capacity was evaluated by intermittent 30:15 test and after 48 h, athletes were recruited to perform Tabata protocol of high intensity interval training, which originally consists of eight sprints of 20s at 170% of the maximum vVO2,interspersed by 10s of passive recovery.In each sprint, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), speed and percentage of the maximum vVO2 were registered. The reported RPE by the athletes significantly increased after each sprint performed,and all athletes finished with maximum perception of effort.There were no significant differences in the RPE only between the four/five,five/six and seven/eight sprints. In regard to running speed, only six-for-seven and seven-for-eight sprints showed no significant differences. Another important data showed that five of the nine athletes evaluated managed to perform only the first sprint in the intensity of the protocol,so final average of the percentage of the maximum vVO2 was 121.96 ± 9.32 %.Professional futsal athletes were not able to perform Tabata training protocol at the intensity proposed by the authors (170% maximum vVO2), as well as had significant loss in running speed and significant increases in RPE, with 100% of the players reporting maximum effort at the end of the protocol.
... Soccer is an intermittent team sport, in which lowintensity activities dominate [1]. But the ability to perform high-intensity actions is one of the most important characteristics of professional soccer players [1][2][3][4]. Soccer players' physical performance would decline from the first to the second half of elite soccer match play [5][6][7]. The reduction of players' physical performance might be the consequence of fatigue [8][9][10], pacing strategy [11][12][13], tactical decisions from coach, contextual variables and others [5]. ...
Background
Substitutions are generally used to promote the match performance of the whole team. This study aimed to analyze the performance of substitute players and explore the performance difference among substitute players, completed players, and replaced players across each position.
Methods
Chinese Super Soccer League (CSL) matches in the season 2018 including 5871 individual observation from 395 professional soccer players were analyzed by establishing linear mixed models to quantify the performance difference among substitute players (SP) ( n = 1,071), entire match players (EMP) ( n = 3,454), and replaced players (RP) ( n = 1,346), and then separately for each position (central defenders, fullbacks, central midfielders, wide midfielders, and attackers).
Results
The results show SP display higher high intensity distance and sprint distance significantly ( p < 0.05) relative to playing time than RP and EMP. SP in offensive positions (attackers, wide midfielders) showed significantly higher ( p < 0.05) passing and organizing performance such as passes, ball control, short passes, and long passes than RP or EMP. The scoring performances of central midfielders of SP including goals, shots, and shots on target are significantly higher ( p < 0.05) than RP or EMP. Central defenders of SP showed higher shot blocks and pass blocks ( p < 0.05) while lower passing and organizing performance ( p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Depending on different playing positions, substitute players could indeed improve physical and technical performance related to scoring, passing, and defending as offensive substitute players can boost organizing performance and substitute defenders enhance defending performance. These could help coaches better understand substitute players’ influence on match performance and optimize the substitution tactic.
... A common consequence of these movements is neuromuscular fatigue development, a complex mechanism that could negatively influence neuromuscular, perceptual, and biological parameters (Silva et al. 2018). Indeed, a large number of reviews in the literature (Bangsbo et al. 2007;Nédélec et al. 2013;Silva et al. 2018) and original research ; Thomas et al. 2017) have attempted to define neuromuscular fatigue in soccer and have hypothesized it to be associated with various mechanisms (e.g., glycogen depletion, dehydration, and muscle damage). Nevertheless, the main mechanism of neuromuscular fatigue during soccer match play has not been clearly defined yet. ...
The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of beetroot juice supplementation (BEET) on neuromuscular fatigue etiology during simulated soccer match play. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 13 soccer players completed the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST). Players received either BEET (2*150ml; ~ 8mmol/l nitrate) or PLA for 7 days (6 days prior to the experimental session and on the day trial, 2h before LIST). Neuromuscular assessments were performed at baseline, 45min (half time: HT) and at 90min (final time: FT) following LIST. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and twitch responses, delivered through electrical femoral nerve stimulation, were used to asses peripheral (quadriceps resting twitch force, Qtw,pot) and central fatigue (voluntary activation, VA). Compared to baseline, MVC Qtw,pot and VA values decreased in PLA and BEET conditions at HT and FT (p<0.05). Compared to PLA, the decrease in MVC and Qtw,potat were significantly attenuated with BEET at HT and FT(p <0.001). Likewise, BEET attenuated the decrease in VA at HT (p <0.001, d = 1.3) and FT (p <0.001, d = 1.5) compared to PLA condition. Chronic beetroot juice supplementation attenuates neuromuscular fatigue development during simulated soccer match and this is due to both central and peripheral factors. Consequently, chronic beetroot may optimize physical performance.
Purpose : Global navigation satellite system device–derived metrics are commonly represented by discrete zones with intensity often measured by standardizing volume to per-minute of activity duration. This approach is sensitive to imprecision in duration measurement and can lead to highly variable outcomes—transforming data from zones to a gradient may overcome this problem. The purpose of this study was to critically evaluate this approach for measuring team-sport activity demands. Methods : Data were collected from 129 first-team and 73 academy matches from a Scottish Premiership football club. Gradients were calculated for velocity, acceleration, and deceleration zones, along with per-minute values for several commonly used metrics. Means and 95% CIs were calculated for playing level, as well as first-team positional groups. Within-subject coefficients of variation were also calculated for match level, position, and individual groups. Results : The gradient approach showed consistency with per-minute metrics when measuring playing level and position groups. With coefficients of variation of 10.8% to 26.9%, the gradients demonstrated lower variability than most per-minute variables, which ranged from 10.7% to 84.5%. Conclusions : Gradients are a potentially useful way of describing intensity in team sports and compare favorably to existing intensity variables in their ability to distinguish between match types and position groups, providing evidence that gradient variables can be used to monitor match and training intensity in team sports.
Body temperature and blood pressure increases, weight losses, and high heart rates indicate soccer's great demands on the cardiovascular system. Heart attacks can be prevented with careful medical screening and supervision.
In soccer, the players perform intermittent work. Despite the players performing low-intensity activities for more than 70% of the game, heart rate and body temperature measurements suggest that the average oxygen uptake for elite soccer players is around 70% of maximum (VO2max). This may be partly explained by the 150-250 brief intense actions a top-class player performs during a game, which also indicates that the rates of creatine phosphate (CP) utilization and glycolysis are frequently high during a game. Muscle glycogen is probably the most important substrate for energy production, and fatigue towards the end of a game may be related to depletion of glycogen in some muscle fibres. Blood free-fatty acids (FFAs) increase progressively during a game, partly compensating for the progressive lowering of muscle glycogen. Fatigue also occurs temporarily during matches, but it is still unclear what causes the reduced ability to perform maximally. There are major individual differences in the physical demands of players during a game related to physical capacity and tactical role in the team. These differences should be taken into account when planning the training and nutritional strategies of top-class players, who require a significant energy intake during a week. © 2007 Ron Maughan for editorial material and selection. Individual chapters the contributors. All rights reserved.
