We compared the efficacy of three physical conditioning programmes provided over a 12 week period (24 h in total) on selected anthropometric and physical fitness parameters in female soccer players. Two of the groups received physical conditioning training in accordance with speed, agility and quickness (SAQ); one group used specialized resistance and speed development SAQ equipment (equipment group; n = 12), while the other group used traditional soccer coaching equipment (non-equipment group; n = 12). A third group received their regular fitness sessions (active control group; n = 12). All three interventions decreased (P <0.001) the participants' body mass index (−3.7%) and fat percentage (−1.7%), and increased their flexibility (+14.7%) and maximal aerobic capacity ([Vdot]O2max) (+18.4%). The participants in the equipment and non-equipment conditioning groups showed significantly (P <0.005) greater benefits from their training programme than those in the active control group by performing significantly better on the sprint to fatigue (−11.6% for both the equipment and non-equipment groups versus −6.2% for the active control group), 25 m sprint (−4.4% vs −0.7%), left (−4.5% vs −1.0%) and right (−4.0% vs −1.4%) side agility, and vertical (+18.5% vs +4.8%) and horizontal (+7.7% vs +1.6%) power tests. Some of these differences in improvements in physical fitness between the equipment and non-equipment conditioning groups on the one hand and the active control group on the other hand were probably due to the specificity of the training programmes. It was concluded that SAQ training principles appear to be effective in the physical conditioning of female soccer players. Moreover, these principles can be implemented during whole team training sessions without the need for specialized SAQ equipment. Finally, more research is required to establish the relationship between physical fitness and soccer performance as well as the principles underlying the improvements seen through the implementation of SAQ training programmes.

Effective conditioning of female soccer players

Objective To evaluate the effects of injury prevention programmes on injury incidence in any women’s football code; explore relationships between training components and injury risk; and report injury incidence for women’s football. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Nine databases searched in August 2019. Eligibility criteria Randomised controlled trials evaluating any injury prevention programme (eg, exercise, education, braces) were included. Study inclusion criteria were: ≥20 female football players in each study arm (any age, football code or participation level) and injury incidence reporting. Results Twelve studies, all in soccer, met inclusion criteria, with nine involving adolescent teams (aged Conclusion In women’s football, there is low-level evidence that multicomponent, exercise-based programmes reduce overall and ACL injuries by 27% and 45%, respectively. PROSPERO registration number CRD42018093527.

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/bjsports/54/18/1089.full.pdf

Making football safer for women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of injury prevention programmes in 11 773 female football (soccer) players.

Aim: This study aims to scope available peer-reviewed literature published in a FIFA language to understand the current quantity of research on women’s football.Methods: Five databases were searche...

Research on women’s football: a scoping review

This study investigated relationships that linear speed and lower-body power have on change-of-direction (COD) speed in collegiate women soccer players. Data from two Division I (n = 39) and one Division II (n = 18) schools were analyzed. Subjects were assessed in: power (vertical jump (VJ); jump height, peak anaerobic power measured in watts (PAPw), power-to-body mass ratio (P:BM); linear speed (10-m sprint); and COD speed (modified T-test (MTT), 505, COD deficit). Independent samples T-tests derived significant between-group differences, with effect sizes (d) calculated. Pearson’s correlations determined relationships between COD speed, linear speed, and power, with regression equations calculated. Division I players demonstrated superior 505, COD deficit, VJ height, PAPw, and P:BM (d = 1.09–2.21). Division II players were faster in the MTT (d = 1.51). For all players, the 505 correlated with the 10-m sprint (r = 0.39–0.53) and VJ height (r = −0.65–0.66), while the COD deficit related to the 10-m sprint (r = −0.77–0.82). The regression data supported these results. Division I players were superior in the 505 and COD deficit, and expressed their power in the 180° 505 task. Division II players should enhance lower-body power and the ability to perform 180° direction changes.

https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4663/6/2/30/pdf

Relationships between Linear Speed and Lower-Body Power with Change-of-Direction Speed in National Collegiate Athletic Association Divisions I and II Women Soccer Athletes

This study aims to identify the essential performance indicators in two level of soccer expertise. A total of 84 elite’s soccer players and 100 novice players from eight soccer academies in Malaysia were enrolled and subjected to standard anthropometric, fitness, skills related performance testing and responded to the questionnaire in mastery and performance. Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to determine the most indispensable variables pertinent to the requirement of the game in relation to the level of expertise of the players. The initial PCA shows seven components out of 26 as the most significant for both elite and novice soccer players with a considerable eigenvalue > 1. Moreover, the PCA after varimax rotation highlighted seven principles components (PCs) for elite and novice players respectively. Each of the seven components contained varifactors (VF) selected based on their higher factor loading and that distinguish the players on their expertise. The first PCs for elite’s players revealed strong loading from sit and reach (0.780), vertical jump (0.635), VO 2max (0.637) and age (0.752). The second PCs revealed weight (0.639), biceps (0.859), triceps (0.769), subscapular (0.847), suprailiac (0.886) and middle upper arm circumference (0.776). The third PCs revealed 505 agility (0.618), 5m speed (0.712), 10m speed (0.858) and 20m speed (0.929). The forth PCs revealed task (-0.675) and short pass (0.789) and the last PCs revealed sit up (-0.702). For novice’s players, the first PCs revealed vertical jump (0.624), weight (0.861), height (0.856), sitting height (0.632), middle upper arm circumference (0.673), calf circumference (0.790) and maturity (0.651). The second PCs revealed biceps (0.832), triceps (0.899), subscapular (0.816) and suprailiac (0.869). The third PCs revealed 5m speed (-0.847), 10m speed (-0.877), 20m speed (-0.785) and VO 2max (0.658). The forth PCs revealed task (0.694) and ego (0.747) and the last PCs revealed short pass (0.766).

Identification and Comparative Analysis of Essential Performance Indicators in Two Levels of Soccer Expertise

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/184904.pdf

Vanessa Martínez-Lagunas

Papers

Women's football: Player characteristics and demands of the game