title: Effect of Ambient Temperature on Pacing in Soccer Depends on Skill Level.
abstract: Link, D and Weber, H. Effect of ambient temperature on pacing in soccer depends on skill level. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 1766-1770, 2017-This study examines the influence ambient temperature has on the distances covered by players in soccer matches. For this purpose, 1,211 games from the top German professional leagues were analyzed over the course of the seasons 2011/12 and 2012/13 using an optical tracking system. Data show (a) significant differences in the total distance covered (TDC, in meters per 10 minutes) between the 1. Bundesliga (M = 1,225) and 2. Bundesliga (M = 1,201) and (b) a significant decrease in TDC from neutral (-4 to 13° C, M = 1,229) to warm (≥14° C, M = 1,217) environments. The size of the temperature effect is greater in the 1. Bundesliga (d = 0.30 vs. d = 0.16), although these players presumably have a higher level of fitness. This suggests that better players reduce their exertion level to a greater extent, thus preserving their ability to undertake the high-intensity activities when called upon. No reduction in running performance due to cold (≤5° C) temperatures was observed.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Training Science and Sport Informatics, Technical University of Munich, München, Germany; and 2DFL German Football League GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Link
authors.forename: Hendrik
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Weber
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature