title: Effects of 1 versus 2 games a week on physical and subjective scores of subelite soccer players.
abstract: The physical-performance profiles of subelite male footballers were monitored during 6 wk of a competitive season. The same squad of players played either 1 (1G, n = 15) or 2 (2G, n = 15) competitive matches per week. On weeks 0, 3, and 6, 48 h postmatch, players completed countermovement jump (CMJ), 10- and 20-m sprints, the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (YYIRT), and the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire. Both groups undertook 2 weekly training sessions. The 2G showed after 6 wk lower YYIRT (-11% to 3%, 90% CI -15.8% to -6.8%; P < .001) and CMJ performances (-18.7%, -21.6 to -15.9%; P = .007) and higher 10-m (4.4%, 1.8-6.9%; P = .007) and 20-m sprints values (4.7%, 2.9% to 6.4%; P < .001). No differences were found at 3 wk (.06 < P < .99). No changes over time (.169 < P < .611) and no differences time × group interactions (.370 < P < .550) were found for stress, recovery, and the Stress Recovery Index. In conclusion players' ability to sprint, jump, and perform repeated intense exercise was impaired when playing 2 competitive matches a week over 6 wk.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, UK.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rollo
authors.forename: Franco M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Impellizzeri
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zago
authors.forename: F Marcello
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Iaia
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005080:Exercise Test; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human; D010809:Physical Fitness; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012420:Running; D012916:Soccer; D013312:Stress, Physiological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult