@article{ref1,
title="Physical activity during a prolonged congested period in a top-class European football team",
journal="Asian journal of sports medicine",
year="2014",
author="Djaoui, Léo and Wong, Del P. and Pialoux, Vincent and Hautier, Christophe and Da Silva, Cristiano D. and Chamari, Karim and Dellal, Alexandre",
volume="5",
number="1",
pages="47-53",
abstract="PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to examine the variation in physical activity of elite soccer players within successive prolonged periods of fixture congestion over 5 months of competition during the competitive season 2011-2012. <br><br>METHODS: Sixteen international players, classified into 6 positions (central defenders: CD; full-backs: FB; central defensive midfielders: CDM; wide midfielders: WM; central attacking midfielders: CAM; forwards: FW), were examined during the French First League, French Cup, and UEFA Champion's League matches. The total distance covered at light (<12 km.h(-1)), sustained-cruising (>18-21 km.h(-1)), high (>21-23 km.h(-1)), very high (>23-25 km.h(-1)), sub-maximal (>25-27 km.h(-1)), and maximal (>27 km.h(-1)) intensity running (IR) were measured and analysed using a semi-automatic match analysis system (Amisco Pro™). <br><br>RESULTS: No differences were observed between congested and non-congested periods (two vs. one match a week, respectively) for the total distance covered at all the speed thresholds over 18 km.h(-1), with no variation in physical fitness over the 5 studied months. Specifically to the playing positions, regardless of the congestion periods, FB and WM covered more distance than CDM over 21km.h(-1); FB, WM and FW covered similar distances for all running intensities; and CD and CDM covered shorter distance during non-congested compared to congested periods (P<0.05) at light-IR. <br><br>CONCLUSION: The present study reveals that prolonged congested match fixture did not affect the high-intensity physical activity of top-class soccer players during official games during a 5 months fixture period.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="2008-000X",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}