Characterizing the sprint threshold (25.2 km/h): a case study analysis on how soccer players reach sprint speeds and what relative intensity the threshold represents.

Item request has been placed! ×
Item request cannot be made. ×
loading   Processing Request
Read More Add to Saved list
  • Additional Information
    • Abstract:
      Purpose: This study investigated how soccer players reach sprint speeds (> 25.2 km⋅h−1) and what that fixed threshold represents to each player regarding their individual match peak speeds registered during competition. Methods: Twenty professional players (n = 20) from a team competing in the Brazilian first division were monitored with a global navigation satellite system during six matches. All efforts with final speeds > 25.2 km⋅h−1 were analyzed according to starting speed, and accelerations' duration and magnitude. Peak speeds for each player were also retrieved and compared to the sprint threshold. Results: Most efforts > 25.2 km⋅h−1 (> 91%) start with very short accelerations (< 0.5 s). Efforts started predominately from high starting speeds (20–25 and > 25 km⋅h−1) than low starting speeds (< 5 and 5–10 km⋅h−1) with huge effect sizes (p < 0.001). Most accelerations had magnitudes between 1 and 3 m⋅s−2 (p < 0.05). The 25.2 km⋅h−1 threshold represented an intensity of 71–91% of players' match peak speed. Conclusion: The inclusion of accelerations and peak speeds associated to the sprinting events that occur > 25.2 km⋅h−1 was shown to be useful for further characterization of soccer sprinting performance. In addition, the fixed threshold fails to individualize players' capabilities and performances, misleading load demands performed by players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
    • Abstract:
      Copyright of Sport Sciences for Health is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)