TRAINING STRATEGIES TO MAXIMISE RECOVERY AND PERFORMANCE IN SOCCER PLAYERS

Introduction: In soccer, the long duration of the competitive season and the large number of games require a careful organization of the training load and a maximization of the training stimuli. The presence of close matches (from 7 to 3 days) requires a careful control of accumulated fatigue and the use of training stimuli aimed at improving different aspects of the soccer physical performance. However, to date in soccer, there is little information about the characteristics of tapering during the microcycle, while the knowledge concerning the specificity of the training methods remains confused. Purpose: the aims of the present investigation were threefold: i) to examine the effect of in-week tapering strategy (reduction in training load 24 h before a match) on player preparedness; ii) to compare the physiological response and mechanical profile of different training strategies, and iii) to compare their effects on soccer-related physical performance. Methods: For these training studies three soccer teams were involved, with a total of 41 players. In the first study, a cross-over experimental design was used, and the participants performed two simulated match-week microcycles, with the same workload, except for the experimental week where a further reduction of ~33% of the volume (time) was performed the day before the match. In the second study was used a parallel two-group, work-matched, longitudinal (Baseline-Test Post-test) experimental design. Two different speed endurance training protocols were compared before and after four weeks of training. In the third study, the acute physical and physiological response of two training approaches (speed endurance vs. repeat sprint training) were compared. Results: In the first study, it was found that a further 33% of training-load reduction the eve of the match improved the height of a countermovement jump, sprint time over a 20 m and repeated sprint ability, enhancing preparedness, while Yo-Yo IR1 performance was maintained. The second study showed that 10-seconds sprint was associated with a possibly greater effect on repeat-sprint total time, higher power output, as well as lower blood lactate concentration, compared to 20-seconds sprint. In the third study, we showed that repeated sprint exercise is associated with a higher mechanical load and heart rate response, while speed endurance training is associated with a higher speed average and a higher blood lactate concentration at the end of the exercise. Conclusion: A further volume reduction during tapering provides an improvement of jump and sprint performances. Additionally, the assessment of the sprint duration (during repeated sprint) has shown that short-time sprint generates higher power demand and higher mechanical load. Conversely, long-sprint duration generates higher speed and high level of blood lactate concentration. However, both short and long-sprint duration have a positive effect on soccer-related performances. Therefore, the manipulation of the training load during tapering together with the type of training stimulus led to increasing soccer-physical performance.