The Influence of a Congested Fixture Period on Physical and Technical Performance During Matches World Championship 2014

Анотація

Introduction. The aims of the current study were to identify the influence of playing multiple games with a short recovery on physical and technical activity, which is one of the main determinants of soccer performance. Material and methods. We have examined the time-motion characteristics of the matches played in the group stage during the World Cup Brazil 2014. Footballers played five consecutive matches separated by 4 days. The examined 62 physical and technical performance profiles were: Central Defenders = 16, External Defenders = 14, Defensive Central Midfielders = 8, Ofensive Central Midfielders = 6, External Midfielders = 11, and Forwards = 7. Four thresholds were used to evaluate distances run in four categories of the following running intensities: 0,0–14,0 km/h (walking and light-intensity running, Light-IR); 14,1–19,0 km/h (moderate-intensity running, MIR); 19,1–23,0 km/h (high-intensity running, HIR) and >23.1 km/h (Sprint). Results. Five technical variables were examined: shots, passes, successful passes, ball recoveries and clearances. It was shown that physical and technical activities were unaffected during the congested fixture period. There was a lack of statistical difference in the distance covered at different intensities by footballers playing particular positions on the pitch. Significant differences appeared in clearances activity, an element used in defensive game. They concerned only ED, CD and CMD. Conclusion. It is difficult to analyse performance in matches where recovery time between them is short. There should be carried out further studies that would determine possibilities of footballers to maintain high game performance in consecutive matches with a short recovery time as well as the influence of such periods on the technical activity.