Quantification of training and match load during non-congested and congested microcycles in academy football players: a UEFA Youth League team case study

Franceschi, A ORCID: 0000-0002-9830-5640, Robinson, MA ORCID: 0000-0002-5627-492X, Owens, DJ ORCID: 0000-0002-1908-8677, Brownlee, T, Bampouras, T ORCID: 0000-0002-8991-4655, Connolly, D, Ferrari Bravo, D and Enright, K ORCID: 0000-0003-1775-6392 Quantification of training and match load during non-congested and congested microcycles in academy football players: a UEFA Youth League team case study. International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport. ISSN 1474-8185 (Accepted)

Text Quantification of training and match load during non-congested and congested microcycles in academy football players- a UEFA Youth League team case study.pdf - Accepted Version Access Restricted Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (253kB)

Abstract

This study aimed to quantify and compare training and match load across non-congested and congested microcycles in academy football. Twenty-four under-19 Italian Serie A academy football players competing in national and international tournaments were monitored across a competitive season using external and internal load measures. Microcycles were classified either as non-congested (> 4 days between consecutive matches) or congested (≤ 4 days between consecutive matches). Load was analysed relative to match proximity: two days (MD-2), one day (MD-1) before the match and match day (MD). Linear mixed models and Cohen’s d effect sizes were used for analysis. A significant microcycle type x training day interaction was observed for duration, total distance, session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) and sRPE training load (sRPE-TL). On MD-2 duration, total distance, sRPE and sRPE-TL were significantly higher in non-congested compared to congested microcycles (p < 0.05, d = 0.27-1.01). On MD-1, total distance was significantly higher in non-congested compared to congested microcycles (p < 0.001, d = 0.36). No significant differences were observed on MD (p > 0.05, d = -0.22-0.20). Congested microcycles are characterised by reduced training volume, suggesting that training duration is adjusted to facilitate recovery in academy football players.

Item Type:	Article
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV561 Sports > GV711 Coaching G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV561 Sports
Divisions:	Sport and Exercise Sciences
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
Date of acceptance:	1 June 2026
Date Deposited:	03 Jun 2026 09:46
Last Modified:	03 Jun 2026 09:46
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/28708

View Item