MD-1 TRAINING & INTENSITY

TRAINING LEVEL AND INTENSITY 24 HOURS PRIOR TO MATCH DAY

One for you guys with (particularly college) coaches that love to beast you the day before a game.

A study by Douchet et al., 2022 investigated the impact of different training durations on matchday performance (MD) when conducting reactivity drills and small-sided games (SSG) on the day before a match (MD-1).

Eleven elite U19 academy soccer players participated in three different training durations: 45 minutes (TS45), 60 minutes (TS60), and 75 minutes (TS75).

The study assessed physical and psychological readiness using performance tests and the Hooper questionnaire.

Results showed that shorter MD-1 sessions (TS45) led to improved performance in jumping, sprinting, agility, and perceived readiness on MD compared to longer sessions.

The findings suggest that reducing training duration on MD-1 enhances match readiness.

Key Takeaways from the study:

- Shorter MD-1 Sessions Improve Match Performance: A 45-minute session (TS45) led to better CMJ, sprint, and agility performance compared to longer sessions.

- Increased Training Duration Reduces Readiness: Players in TS60 and TS75 showed higher fatigue levels on matchday, as indicated by a higher Hooper index score.

- Reactivity Drills & SSG Contribute to Fatigue: Since these drills involve high acceleration and deceleration demands, longer durations may lead to accumulated fatigue, reducing match performance and increasing injury risk.

Practical Recommendation:

To optimize readiness, MD-1 should involve a 45-minute session, and lighter activities such as set pieces and tactical drills should be prioritized over high-intensity work.

How this effects your training:

MD-1 should involve a 45-minute session, and lighter activities such as set pieces and tactical drills to optimize readiness on MD.