Effects Of Playing 1 Vs 2 Matches Per Week On Match Workload In Ncaa Division I Women’S Soccer Players

Previous literature suggested that a single soccer match elicits prolonged periods of acute fatigue (~72 hours) and that periods of congested schedules may increase injury risk and decrease physical performance. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of playing one versus two matches per week (1 M vs 2 M) on match workload in NCAA Division I women’s soccer athletes. METHODS: A total of 14 female soccer players, who played in matches during the 2020 and 2021 competitive seasons participated in this study. Data from nine matches from the 2020 season and 21 matches from the 2021 season were included in this retrospective analysis, representing 14 1 M matches and 16 2 M matches. The external and internal training load variables used to compare physical, perceptual, and physiological performance were: total distance covered (TD; km), number of sprints (Sprints), distanced covered at high-speed (HSD; >15.0 km/h, km), mechanical load (ML), session rating of perceived exertion training load (sRPE-TL; AU), and Polar’s training load score (TLS; AU). ML was calculated as the sum of the accelerations above 2 m/s2 and decelerations below -2 m/s2. Minutes played, player position, match statistics, match results, match location, environmental factors (time of day and heat index), match importance (conference or non-conference), and opposition level were controlled for in the analysis. Linear mixed modeling was used to compare 1 M and 2 M matches on the workload variables adjusted for covariates (random intercept and random slope for 1 M versus 2 M). RESULTS: All but one participant played in at least 75% of the matches and eight played in all matches. There were no significant differences between 1 M and 2 M matches in TD (p = 0.238), ML (p = 0.621), or TLS (p = 0.081). However, the number of sprints (coefficient = -4.24, p = 0.049) and HSD (coefficient = -0.072, p = 0.026) were significantly lower for matches in 2 M relative to 1 M, while s-RPE-TL (coefficient = 69.46, p = 0.037) was significantly higher in 2 M matches. CONCLUSIONS: Lower high-intensity external work and higher subjective ratings of effort were observed during matches in 2 M relative to 1 M. The present results highlight the need for player rotation, recovery procedures, and workload monitoring to adjust periodization schedules for 1 M and 2 M weeks.