The purpose of the present study was to investigate the physical performance of elite female football players during match play along with transient alterations in running performance following 1‐ and 5‐min univariate peak periods. 54 elite female players from four top‐level Norwegian teams were monitored for one season (n = 393 match observations), and physical performance data collected using STATSport GPS APEX. Results revealed significant differences in physical performance between the positions during full match play, particularly between wide and central players. Both full backs (FBs) and wide midfielders (WMs) covered more total distance (TD), high‐speed running distance (HSRD), and sprint distance (SpD) than center backs (CBs) (p < 0.05–0.001), while WMs also covered more HSRD than both central midfielders (CMs) (p < 0.01) and forwards (FWs) (p < 0.05), and more acceleration ‐and deceleration distance (Acc_dist and Dec_dist) than both CBs and CMs (p < 0.01–0.001). A similar pattern was observed for the peak period analysis, with FBs and WMs covering more SpD in peak 1 min than CBs and CM (p < 0.001) and more SpD in peak 5‐min than CBs, CMs, and FWs (p < 0.001). Irrespective of the variable analyzed, greater distances were covered during the peak 5‐min period than in the next‐5 and mean 5‐min periods (p < 0.001). Significant (p < 0.001), but small to trivial (Cohen's D_z: 0.07–0.20), decreases in distance covered were also observed for each variable following each univariate peak 5‐min period. In conclusion, practitioners should account for differences in physical performance when developing training programs for female football players and be aware of transient reductions in physical performance following univariate peak 1‐ and 5‐min periods. Specifically, the very high intensity in 1‐min peak periods adds support to the principal of executing speed endurance activities during training to mirror and be prepared for the physical demands of match play.

Introduction: The COVID-19 outbreak with partial lockdown has inevitably led to an alteration in training routines for football players worldwide. Thus, coaches had to face with the novel challenge of minimizing the potential decline in fitness during this period of training disruption.Methods: In this observational pre- to posttest study involving Norwegian female football players (18.8 ± 1.9 years, height 1.68 ± 0.4 m, mass 61.3 ± 3.7 kg), we investigated the effects of a prescribed home-based and group-based intervention, implemented during the COVID-19 lockdown, on maximal muscular force production and high velocity variables. Specifically, maximal partial squat strength one repetition maximum (1RM), counter movement jump (CMJ) and 15 m sprint time were assessed 1 week prior to the lockdown and 12 weeks after the onset of lockdown. We also collected training content and volume from the prescribed training program and self-reported perceived training quality and motivation toward training.Results: We observed no change in 1RM [pretest: 104 ± 12 kg, posttest: 101 ± 11 kg (P= 0.28)], CMJ height [pretest: 28.1 ± 2.3 cm, posttest: 26.8 ± 1.9 (P= 0.09)], and 15 m sprint time [pretest: 2.60 ± 0.08 s, posttest: 2.61 ± 0.07 s (P= 0.52)].Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a prescribed home-based and group-based intervention with increased training time devoted to strength, jump, and sprint ability, and regulated to obtain a sufficient infection control level is feasible and effective to preserve strength, jumping, and sprinting abilities of high-level female football players during a ∼ 3-month period of a pandemic-induced lockdown.

Studies on females’ decisive physical components to physical match-play performance are sparse and only emphasize endurance tests. Thus, the influence of maximal strength and power on physical performance during match-play is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the association between one repetition maximum (1RM) half squat strength, 5-, 10-, and 15-m sprint times, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, and physical high-intensity match-play performance in high-level female football players. Thirty-seven female high-level football players completed 1–2 football matches with physical performance measured by local positioning tracking. Correlations were assessed between physical match-play performance variables (total distance covered, running distance, high-intensity running distance, sprinting distance as well as acceleration and deceleration counts, and peak speed) and laboratory tests (half squat 1RM, 15-m sprint, and CMJ). We found no correlation between 1RM and physical match-play performance. Further, 10-m- and 15-m sprint time (r = −0.56, r = −0.56, p < 0.001) and CMJ jump height (r = 0.50, p < 0.01) strongly correlated with peak match speed. Further, there was a moderate correlation between 15-m sprint time and ACC (r = −0.43, p < 0.05). 5-m sprint time did not correlate with physical match-play performance. Laboratory-based sprint and jump performance, but not maximal half squat strength, showed moderate to large correlations with high-intensity physical match-play performance measures in high-level female football players.

Background: Maximal strength increments are reported to result in improvements in sprint speed and jump height in elite male football players. Although similar effects are expected in females, this is yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of maximal strength training on sprint speed and jump height in high-level female football players. Methods: Two female football teams were team-cluster-randomized to a training group (TG) performing maximal strength training (MST) twice a week for 5 weeks, or control group (CG) doing their regular pre-season preparations. The MST consisted of 3–4 sets of 4–6 repetitions at ≥85% of 1 repetitions maximum (1RM) in a squat exercise. Sprint speed and jump height were assessed in 5-, 10- and 15 m sprints and a counter-movement jump (CMJ) test, respectively. Nineteen participants in TG (18.3 ± 2.7 years) and 14 in CG (18.3 ± 2.4 years) completed pre- and posttests and were carried forward for final analyses. Results: There was no improvement in neither of the sprint times (p > 0.36), nor jump height (p = 0.87). The players increased their 1RM in squats (main of effect of time: p < 0.00, _pη² = 0.704), and an interaction effect of time x group was observed (p < 0.00, _pη² = 0.516) where the TG increased their 1RM more than the CT (between subjects effects: p < 0.001, _pη² = 0.965). Conclusions: MST improved maximal strength in female football players to a large extent; however, the improvement in maximal strength did not result in any transference to sprint speed or jump height. Trial registration: This study was registered at clinicaltrials.gov PRS (Protocol registration and results System) with the code NCT04048928, 07.08.2019, retrospectively registered.

Background: Changes of direction (COD) repeated sprints (RSs) might have greater relevance to football than linear RSs. We aimed to compare the effects of linear and COD RSs on intermittent high intensity running (HIR) over an entire season. Methods: In total, 19 high-level male football players (16–19 years) randomly performed linear RSs or COD RSs twice a week during their competitive season over 22 weeks. Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 2 (Yo-Yo IR2), and 10- and 20-m sprint was assessed pre-, mid- (11 weeks), and post-intervention (22 weeks). Maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max) was assessed pre- and post-intervention. Results: There was no interaction effect (time x group) in Yo-Yo IR2 (p = 0.36, _pη² = 0.06) or sprint tests (10 m: p = 0.55, _pη² = 0.04, 20 m: p = 0.28 _pη² = 0.08), and no change differences between groups. There was a main effect of time for Yo-Yo IR2 (p = 0.002, _pη² = 0.31) but not in sprints or VO_2max. Conclusion: Linear and COD RS exercise twice a week over 22 weeks equally improves intermittent HIR performance but does not improve sprint time or aerobic power in high-level junior football players. However, due to our two-armed intervention, we cannot exclude possible effects from other exercise components in the players’ exercise program.

Purpose: To compare the frequency and severity of self-perceived negative symptoms associated with the menstrual cycle or hormonal-contraceptive (HC) cycle between (1) HC users and non–HC users and (2) different competition levels. An additional aim was to describe the rate and type of HC use and prevalence of potential menstrual-cycle disturbances in female team handball players. Methods: A total of 136 team handball players, competing at different levels (international, 48; national, 52; local/regional, 36), completed a cross-sectional survey regarding self-reported negative cycle-related symptom frequency and severity, perceived influence on training/competition performance, menstrual function, and current and/or past HC use. Results: Although most players regularly experienced negative cycle-related symptoms, non–HC users reported more frequent and severe cramps (P = .001 to .026), as well as a higher occurrence of fatigue and skin problems (P = .019 to .045), compared with HC users. Negative symptoms such as fatigue were more common and severe for local/regional-level players compared with players at higher (international) competition levels (P = .006–.046). Half (47%) of the players currently used HC, primarily long-acting reversible contraceptives (52%), as well as the combined oral (33%) or progestin-only pill (14%). Notably, only 2% of players altered their training in response to negative cycle-related symptoms, despite 41% perceiving that these symptoms interfered with training quality and athletic performance. Conclusions: Negative cycle-related symptoms are common among team handball players, regardless of HC use, and are perceived by many players to adversely influence their athletic performance.