You Play the Way You Train: The Influence of Accumulated Weekly Training Load on Match Physical Performance in Football Players

The relationship between soccer players' match performance and cumulative training loads needs to be analysed. Therefore, the objectives of this study were: 1) to examine the influence of accumulated weekly training loads on subsequent mechanical match outcomes, and 2) to analyze individual variability in training and match loads using the coefficient of variation (CV) throughout the season. Internal and external loads over the entire season of 22 semi-professional soccer players (age 23.2 ± 4.2 years, body mass 75.0 ± 5.8 kg, and body height 1.79 ± 0.06 m) were analyzed. The devices used were 10-Hz Playertek+ GPS/GNSS units equipped with an inertial system and an accelerometer (Catapult Innovations, Melbourne, Australia) and the Borg scale in its 6-20 points version. The analysis of the data with the entire squad included all demarcations (except goalkeepers), however, in a second analysis players with the highest participation throughout the season were included, i.e., six defenders (three center back and three fullback players), three midfielders and three forwards (two wingers and one striker). Match high-speed running (HSR) showed significant correlations with most of the variables analyzed (r = 0.14-0.52). Training load variables analyzed (14.7-64.5%) exhibited larger CV values than those observed in matches (4.4-31.8%). Players with greater match HSR showed superior accumulated HSR during the week before the match than those who presented less match HSR (p = 0.024). The cumulative training load indicates a direct relationship with match HSR performance acutely and chronically. Thus, coaches should design tasks emphasizing HSR accumulation throughout the season.