Physical and physiological demands in non-professional adult soccer players during 7-a-side matches: a case study

The study analysed physical and physiological demands in 15 non-professional adult soccer players: central defenders (DC), right midfielders (MB), central midfielders (MC) and strikers (DEL), took part in 7 matches. Their heart rate (HR) was registered by cardiofecuenciometers and their displacements by GPS. The physical variables recorded: total distance (DT) and distance covered in different speed ranges (0-6,9, 7,012,9, 13,0-17,9, 18,0-20,9 and >21 km.h(-1)), in absolute (m) and relative terms (%), no of accelerations at different intensities (1,0-1,5, 1,5-2,0, 2,0-2,5, and >2,5 m . s(-2)); and global load indicators (work: rest ratio, max speed, and players' load); physiological variables: HR max, HR med expressed in absolute and relative terms. The results presented significant differences based on position on the pitch. Significant differences (p<0,05) were found: DT (DC<MB, MC and DEL), % DT in different speed zones (0-6,9 km.h(-1), DC>MC, DC>MB, DC>DEL; 7,0-12,9 km.h(-1), MB>DC; 13,0-17,9 km.h(-1), MB>DC, DEL>DC; and 18,0-20,9 km.h(-1), MB>DC, DEL>DC), no accelerations (1,0-1,5 m . s(-2), DC>DEL; 1,5-2,0 m . s(-2), DC>DEL), work: rest ratio (DEL>DC), player load (DEL and MB>DC) and heart rate (80-90% HR max, DC>MC, DC>DEL; and >90% HR max, MC>DC, MB>DC, and DEL>DC). The results demonstrated that the cardiovascular responses during recreational 7-a-side football matches reached the minimal intensities recommended by the ACSM to promote the cardiovascular health in healthy recreational sport participants, presenting similar metabolic responses to 11-a-side football. It can be used to stimulate neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and metabolic systems.