The aim of this study was to compare the external loads (i.e., displacement distances and velocities) of 10–11 years-old soccer players during Soccer-7 (i.e., seven-a-side), Soccer-8 (i.e., eight-a-side), and Soccer-11 (i.e., eleven-a-side) official matches. Male athletes (n = 133; age, 10.9 ± 0.8 years) were measured during official matches for total distance (TD), relative distance (Drel), maximal velocity (Vmax), acceleration (ACC), deceleration (DEC), and absolute and relative distance covered at different velocities. Data during matches were collected using a Global Positioning System unit. Greater TD was recorded during Soccer-11 compared to Soccer-7 and Soccer-8 (p < 0.01), and greater Drel during Soccer-11 compared to Soccer-8 (p < 0.05). Absolute ACC was greater during Soccer-11 compared to Soccer-7 (p < 0.01), although relative values for %ACC and %DEC were greater during Soccer-7 and Soccer-8 compared to Soccer-11 (p < 0.01). Globally, results show that Soccer-11 matches induce greater external loads compared to Soccer-7 and Soccer-8 matches. Current results may help coaches and soccer-related organizers to plan more suited soccer competitions for young players, with lower external loads.

We aimed to (1) compare external training loads obtained in futsal players during pre-season and in-season training weeks to explore how these loads are periodized by the coaching staff; and (2) compare the external training loads using the match day minus approach during the pre-season and in-season periods to determine how the within-microcycle training load varies between these periods. A total of 432 recordings were obtained of twelve national-level male amateur players using IPS devices. These data were collected over four consecutive microcycles from the beginning to the end of the pre-season, as well as during four additional consecutive microcycles at the start of the in-season. The external load variables evaluated were: total distance covered (TD; m), relative distance covered (Drel; m/min), high-speed running (HSR; m > 18.8 km/h), sprint distance (SPR; m > 25.2 km/h), number of intense accelerations (ACC; >2.5 m/s²) and decelerations (DEC; >−2.5 m/s²). Results indicated significant week-by-week variation (p < 0.05) in all external load variables during the pre-season. During the in-season, significant variations (p < 0.05) were observed only in Drel, HSR, and ACC. In both phases, all variables were higher (p < 0.05) two days before the match. In conclusion, it is important to consistently quantify the external loads of futsal players to ensure appropriate variation in loading and tapering within the microcycle, as well as during the pre-season and in-season periods.

¿ES DETERMINANTE LA MODALIDAD DE COMPETICIÓN EN LA ACCIÓN DE REGATE EN FUTBOLISTAS SUB12?

Objetivo: Analizar el efecto del entrenamiento de pretemporada sobre la condición física de futbolistas jóvenes en función de la demarcación ocupada en el campo. Método: En el estudio participaron 31 futbolistas jóvenes (edad: 15.5 ± 0.7 años; altura: 174.4 ± 6.3 cm; peso: 62.4 ± 13.4 kg; experiencia: 8.5 ± 1.3 años) que fueron divididos en tres grupos en función de su puesto de juego: defensas centrales y delanteros (DC-DE, n = 13), medios centros (MC, n = 6) y defensas y medios laterales (DL-ML, n = 12). Al comienzo (M1) y al final (M2) de un período de pretemporada de 6 semanas todos los futbolistas realizaron una serie de test de condición física: test de resistencia intermitente (30-15_VFIT), test de sprints repetidos (RSA_media y RSA_mejor), test de salto horizontal (TH_bilateral), test de velocidad (sprint 40 m) y test de cambio de dirección (T-Test). Resultados: Los resultados mostraron mejores valores en TH_bilateral para DC-DE y DL-ML que para MC en M1 (5/4/92%, probable y 99/1/0%, muy probable; respectivamente) y en M2 (5/7/88%, probable y 97/2/1%, muy probable, respectivamente). En la medida M2 también se observaron mejores resultados en DL-ML que en DC-DE en las variables RSA_media (5/8/87, probable), RSA_mejor (2/8/90%, probable) y T-Test (2/10/82%, probable). Conclusión: Mientras que al comienzo del período de entrenamiento sólo existen diferencias entre demarcaciones en TH_bilateral, el entrenamiento específico puede provocar diferencias entre demarcaciones en la capacidad de repetir sprints y en la capacidad de cambio de dirección.