Soccer players training load during Estonian Premium League matches: comparison of high and low ranking teams

Abstract

This paper compares training load of a high ranking soccer team with a low ranking team. Two Estonian Premium League soccer teams participated in this study. One team was ranked in the top and the other ranked in the bottom of Estonian Premium League Championships. Both teams played against a team ranking in the middle of Estonian Premium League Championships. Study consists of 21 field players: 11 players from the high ranking team (22,3±4,2 yrs; 181,0±6,9 cm; 74,9±8,1 kg) and 10 players from the low ranking team (22,0±4,4 yrs; 183,1±4,7 cm; 78,2±5,5 kg). Match performance data was measured by BioHarness 3 monitors and OmniSense software (Zephyr Technology Corporation). Statistically significant difference between the high and the low ranking team is found for: mechanical intensity, mechanical load, training intensity and training load. No statistically significant difference between the high and the low ranking team is found for: physiological intensity and physiological load. Higher ranking team has lower training load than lower ranking team during a soccer match. This result indicates that it is necessary to improve technical and tactical skills to reduce training load during a soccer matches. Lower training load ensures the stability of tactical and technical skills during the match.