AN EVALUATION OF THE PHYSICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAINING AND PLAYING STRESSES PLACED ON ELITE COLLEGIATE SOCCER PLAYERS

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical and physiological training and playing stresses placed on elite collegiate soccer players. Method Ten members of the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) soccer team participated in this study over six consecutive weeks. Subjects completed a maximum squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), and five vertical rebound jumps (5RJ) prior to all field based training (FBT), resistance based training (RBT) and match play. Participants also recorded self report measures including perceived muscle soreness, energy levels, fatigue levels, quality of sleep and the amount of hours slept. Self report scores were collected after completing the jumping performance measures. The subjects training and playing schedule was also monitored. The amount of minutes participating in each FBT, RBT, and match play was recorded. In addition UWIC head coach and strength and conditioning coach provided objective intensity levels for each session. RBT reps, sets, and volume were also individually recorded after each RBT session. Results An average of all the subjects self report measures and jumping performance scores for each week was statistically analysed. A one way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare inter-week differences, significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Results found no significant differences between weekly mean scores for any of the self report measures, amount of hours slept and jumping performance measures (p>0.05). Conclusion It can be concluded, more longitudinal investigations are needed into the reliability and validity of self report scales and jumping performance measures as a tool of monitoring soccer player responses to physiological training and playing stress.