Accumulative Weekly External and Internal Load Relative to Match Load in Elite Male Youth Soccer Players

Purpose: The aim of this study was 2-fold: (1) to assess and compare the external and internal load of elite young soccer players during competitive microcycles and (2) to describe the training/match ratios (TMr) in elite male youth soccer players. Method: Twenty-one youth soccer players were monitored using a 10-Hz global positioning system. Total distance covered, running distance (RD), high-speed RD, sprint distance, number of accelerations and decelerations, player load, and rated perceived exertion were recorded during training sessions and matches. The TMr was calculated for each load measure. All variables were also normalized dividing the load per minute of activity. Results: The RD, high-speed running, and sprint distance were higher 3 days before the match and 2 days before match compared with the rest of the training sessions. However, accelerations, decelerations, and player load were higher 4 days before match than other sessions. Besides this, the TMr of RD, high-speed running, and sprint distance were associated with lower values than the TMr of total distance covered, accelerations, decelerations, and player load. The match constituted the highest load during competitive microcycle. Conclusions: The present data support the idea that youth soccer coaches and practitioners must consider relative training load according to match demands to better manage and evaluate player periodization.

Automated summary

The study found that running distance, high-speed running, and sprint distance were higher 3 days and 2 days before matches compared to other training sessions, while accelerations, decelerations, and player load were higher 4 days before matches. Additionally, the TMr of running distance, high-speed running, and sprint distance were lower compared to total distance covered, accelerations, decelerations, and player load. Matches were found to have the highest load during competitive microcycles.