CHANGE IN TRAINING LOADS IN A TURKISH SUPER LEAGUE FOOTBALL TEAM AT DIFFERENT MATCH FREQUENCIES DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

By calculating and correctly evaluating the training loads of the athletes who reach fewer training numbers and higher numbers of matches due to the changing training/day numbers, it is possible to both predict the injuries that may occur and make the right choices for their performance in the match. The aim of the study is to calculate and evaluate the training loads in the period when the postponed league competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic caused different match frequencies and different training/days between two matches in the following weeks of the ongoing league. Materials and methods: 20 male professional players (age:28.6±4.01, height:1.80±.07, kg:79.2±6.57, BMI: 24.45±1.43) playing in the Antalyaspor team in the Turkish Football Federation Spor Toto Super Leagues in the 2020-2021 season were included in the study. Results: Our study shows the report of the preparation period, 1 game per week and the intense match period played during the pandemic period in professional football players. We can say that the training load variables of different periods are affected by the type of weekly training program, the starting position of the player (first 11), positional differences, training mode and situational factors. Conclusion: For this reason, it is one of the results obtained from our study that the training load is higher in the period when there is no competition (preparation period), 1 match per week, and on the contrary, the training loads are very low during the intense match period.<p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/soc/0774/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>