The relationship of player load and anaerobic performance in different football playing strategies

Background and Study Aim. The purpose of the present study is to determine the effect of player load on the anaerobic performance of soccer players. Material and Method. Eighty Turkish Super League U21 players (age:19.56±1.3 years, height: 180.3±2.1cm, weight: 75.9±3.7kg) were involved in this study. The players completed eight different 11v11 training games. While one team practiced the ball possession and “defense as a team” strategy, the other team implemented the counterattacking strategy. The formation was kept as “4-4-2”. The games were played as 2x20-min training matches. Maximum heart rate, player load, ratings of perceived exertion, high running speed, and sprint performances were analyzed. Pearson’s correlation analysis was used in determining the level of correlation between quantitative variables. Linear regression analyses were carried out to examine the effect of player load on anaerobic performance components in different strategies and positions. Results. Compared to tactical strategy, player load values were found to be different from all positions (P<0.05). It was observed that maximum hearth rate, ratings of perceived exertion, high running speed, and sprint data were correlated with player load data (p<0.05). Given the results achieved from the regression analysis, it was determined that an increase in player load data caused an increment in these data. Conclusions. In conclusion, it was observed that player load data affect position-specific anaerobic performance in football. It is thought that the use of the data related to player load, acceleration, and deceleration in the training planning in accordance with the positions of players and the team strategies will increase the performance of the athlete.