title: Velocity thresholds for women's soccer matches: sex specificity dictates high-speed running and sprinting thresholds - Female Athletes in Motion (FAiM).
abstract: There is no methodological standardization of velocity thresholds for the quantification of distances covered in various locomotor activities for women's soccer matches, especially for high-speed running and sprinting. Applying velocity thresholds used for motion analysis of men's soccer has likely created skewed observations about high-intensity movement demands for the women's game because these thresholds do not accurately reflect the capabilities of elite female players. Subsequently, a cohesive view of the locomotor characteristics of women's soccer does not yet exist. The aim of this commentary is to provide suggestions for standardizing high-speed running and sprint velocity thresholds specific to women's soccer. The authors also comment on using generic vs individualized thresholds, as well as age-related considerations, to establish velocity thresholds.
authors.affiliation: Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Bradley
authors.forename: Jason D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Vescovi
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013996:Time and Motion Studies