High-intensity Actions in Elite Soccer: Current Status and Future Perspectives

Int J Sports Med DOI: 10.1055/a-2013-1661Over the years, soccer has become more physically demanding; the number and
frequency of high-intensity actions have increased, and these activities are
decisive in determining the match outcome. Importantly, the reductionist
approach commonly used to analyze high-intensity actions does not contemplate a
more contextualized perspective on soccer performance. Traditionally, most
investigations have only provided quantitative data regarding sprints
(i. e. time, distances, frequency) without examining
“how” (e. g. type of trajectory or starting position)
and “why” (e. g. tactical role) soccer players sprint.
In fact, other high-intensity actions, apart from running, are not even
mentioned (i. e. curve sprints, change of direction, and specific-jump
tasks). This has led to the use of tests and interventions that do not
accurately reflect real game actions. Given the true technical-tactical-physical
demands of each playing position, this narrative review collected a
wide-spectrum of current soccer-related articles and provided a discussion
regarding high-intensity actions, with a positional-based approach. In this
narrative review, practitioners are encouraged to contemplate and consider the
different elements that characterize high-intensity actions in socc...

Source: International Journal of Sports Medicine - May 2, 2023 Category: Sports Medicine Authors: Filter, Alberto Olivares-Jabalera, Jes ús Dos'Santos, Thomas Madruga, Marc Lozano, Jos éMaríaOliva Molina, Alejandro Santalla, Alfredo Requena, Bernardo Loturco, Irineu Tags: Review Source Type: research