Physical Demands of Women's Soccer Matches: A Perspective Across the Developmental Spectrum

Female soccer players are exposed to specific physical demands during matches, which vary according to the standard of play. Existing studies have largely focused on quantifying the distances covered for professional and international level players. This approach is limited in scope regarding the br...

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Main Authors: Jason D. Vescovi, Elton Fernandes, Alexander Klas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2021.634696/full
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author Jason D. Vescovi
Jason D. Vescovi
Elton Fernandes
Elton Fernandes
Alexander Klas
Alexander Klas
author_facet Jason D. Vescovi
Jason D. Vescovi
Elton Fernandes
Elton Fernandes
Alexander Klas
Alexander Klas
author_sort Jason D. Vescovi
collection DOAJ
description Female soccer players are exposed to specific physical demands during matches, which vary according to the standard of play. Existing studies have largely focused on quantifying the distances covered for professional and international level players. This approach is limited in scope regarding the broader aspects around physical demands and is detached from development pathway models. An understanding of the demands across all standards will provide valuable insights about appropriate player development and help ensure physical readiness for the demands of the sport. The aim of this perspective paper is to describe the physical demands experienced during women's soccer matches across the developmental spectrum. A combination of evidence from the literature and data from the author's research (JDV) is presented. Specifically highlighted are the trends for locomotor distances, acceleration and deceleration frequency, and metabolic power metrics for youth (≤U17), college (NCAA/U20), professional (domestic) and international standards of women's soccer. In addition, the changes in match demands between levels of play are used to help illustrate gaps that must be overcome in order to successfully achieve physical readiness to compete at higher levels. The evidence demonstrates the importance of training appropriate attributes to prepare female soccer players who are striving to play at progressively higher standards.
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spelling doaj.art-9447318aaff941c88fae3180d03b8c352022-12-21T22:49:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672021-04-01310.3389/fspor.2021.634696634696Physical Demands of Women's Soccer Matches: A Perspective Across the Developmental SpectrumJason D. Vescovi0Jason D. Vescovi1Elton Fernandes2Elton Fernandes3Alexander Klas4Alexander Klas5Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CanadaGraduate School of Exercise Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CanadaFaculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CanadaGraduate School of Exercise Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CanadaFaculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CanadaGraduate School of Exercise Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, CanadaFemale soccer players are exposed to specific physical demands during matches, which vary according to the standard of play. Existing studies have largely focused on quantifying the distances covered for professional and international level players. This approach is limited in scope regarding the broader aspects around physical demands and is detached from development pathway models. An understanding of the demands across all standards will provide valuable insights about appropriate player development and help ensure physical readiness for the demands of the sport. The aim of this perspective paper is to describe the physical demands experienced during women's soccer matches across the developmental spectrum. A combination of evidence from the literature and data from the author's research (JDV) is presented. Specifically highlighted are the trends for locomotor distances, acceleration and deceleration frequency, and metabolic power metrics for youth (≤U17), college (NCAA/U20), professional (domestic) and international standards of women's soccer. In addition, the changes in match demands between levels of play are used to help illustrate gaps that must be overcome in order to successfully achieve physical readiness to compete at higher levels. The evidence demonstrates the importance of training appropriate attributes to prepare female soccer players who are striving to play at progressively higher standards.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2021.634696/fullwomen's soccermatch demandsrunning distancemetabolic poweracceleration
spellingShingle Jason D. Vescovi
Jason D. Vescovi
Elton Fernandes
Elton Fernandes
Alexander Klas
Alexander Klas
Physical Demands of Women's Soccer Matches: A Perspective Across the Developmental Spectrum
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
women's soccer
match demands
running distance
metabolic power
acceleration
title Physical Demands of Women's Soccer Matches: A Perspective Across the Developmental Spectrum
title_full Physical Demands of Women's Soccer Matches: A Perspective Across the Developmental Spectrum
title_fullStr Physical Demands of Women's Soccer Matches: A Perspective Across the Developmental Spectrum
title_full_unstemmed Physical Demands of Women's Soccer Matches: A Perspective Across the Developmental Spectrum
title_short Physical Demands of Women's Soccer Matches: A Perspective Across the Developmental Spectrum
title_sort physical demands of women s soccer matches a perspective across the developmental spectrum
topic women's soccer
match demands
running distance
metabolic power
acceleration
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2021.634696/full
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