Physiological response during match simulation in youth soccer players

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate physiological changes of heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and vertical jump (VJ) height responses during a Youth Soccer Match Simulation (YSMS90). Materials and Methods: Twenty (n = 20) male academy soccer players (age:17 ± 2 years, height: 1.69 ± 0.6, weight: 67.9 ± 6 kg) volunteered for this study. In a repeated measures study design, each participant completed the 90 min of soccer match simulation. Heart rate, subjective RPE and VJ were recorded every 5 min throughout the simulation. Results: The mean HR, RPE and VJ height during the YSMS90 were 147 ± 19 beats/min, 16 ± 1 and 34 ± 4 cm, respectively. There was a significant increase of HR and RPE throughout the YSMS90. The VJ performance reduced during the second half of the simulation. Conclusions: The findings from this study suggest that YSMS90 elicited similar physiological responses to soccer match play and may justify the use of YSMS90 for replicating the demands of youth soccer as an ecologically valid soccer match play simulation.