Repeated Acceleration Activity in Competitive Youth Soccer

Barron, David J, Atkins, Stephen, Edmundson, Christopher James orcid iconORCID: 0000-0003-2275-7584 and Fewtrell, David John orcid iconORCID: 0000-0002-9015-1413 (2016) Repeated Acceleration Activity in Competitive Youth Soccer. Central European Journal of Sport Sciences and Medicine, 14 (2). pp. 55-61. ISSN 2300-9705

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.18276/cej.2016.2–06

Abstract

Soccer match-play is increasingly characterised by short, high-speed bursts reliant on the ability to accelerate. Performance
is impaired after peak acceleration activity and during the second half and may compromise a player’s effectiveness. To date, information about repeated acceleration sequences is lacking but would provide further insight into high-speed activity during competition. This study examined repeated acceleration ability (RAA) using GPS (5 Hz) and accelerometer (100 Hz), during 14 competitive youth soccer matches from the 2014–2015 season. Results showed that RAA profiles were relatively homogeneous, and there were no significant differences between playing positions. RAA activity was also relatively stable between playing halves and only the activity of forwards declined significantly. In summary, this study suggests that RAA is a generic requirement of match-play at this level but presents a specific focus for conditioning regimens.


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