COVID-19 Confinement Effects on Game Actions during Competition Restart in Professional Soccer Players

02 Abr COVID-19 Confinement Effects on Game Actions during Competition Restart in Professional Soccer Players

The return to competition after the COVID-19 lockdown was one of the biggest challenges professional football has faced. This study analyzed 511 players from 22 LaLiga Smartbank teams to compare physical performance in congested weeks (three matches per week) before and after lockdown.

Key insights for coaches and performance staff:

• Performance drop was modest overall: Playing intensity did not collapse after lockdown, but small decreases in running metrics (distance per minute, high-intensity runs, and max speed) were detected.
• Midfielders most affected: Central midfielders showed the largest declines in high-intensity distance, sprinting, and maximum speed. This position accumulated the most minutes and rotations were less frequent, increasing physical strain.
• Defenders and wingers showed selective declines: Central defenders reduced HIR distances in the second half, while wingers had significant decreases in sprint actions.
• Match congestion impact: Playing three matches per week after lockdown stressed players differently depending on position, highlighting the need for load management.

Practical applications:

• Plan rotations and substitutions strategically, especially for midfielders, to preserve intensity in congested fixture periods.
• Use five substitutions (as allowed post-COVID rule change) to refresh attacking lines and protect players’ high-intensity capacity.
• Focus on intermittent training to maintain sharpness after long inactivity periods and to better handle congested schedules.
• Individualize monitoring by position: midfielders need special attention due to their workload, while wide players and forwards may require sprint-specific conditioning.

Read the full paper here (DOI): https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19074252