BIHUB PATH

Cookies

We use our own and third party cookies and other similar technologies to offer you our services, personalize and analyze your browsing, which allows us to understand how our website is being used and which contents are more relevant. Likewise, it also enables us the use of additional functionalities such as showing third party contents or sharing contents with social networks, as well as managing the advertising we show you both on our website and on other third party websites, which could be personalized depending on your browsing and interests in our contents. You can accept all cookies clicking the button “ACCEPT COOKIES” or refuse them by clicking the button “REFUSE COOKIES”. For more information access our Cookies Policy available through the “MORE INFORMATION” button.

MORE INFORMATION

16 July, 2019

PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS AND HOLIDAYS, PREPARING FOR THE COMING SEASON

Health and Wellness
318K

The competitive season in team sports is often divided into 3 phases with very different objectives: the pre-season (lasting 4-6 weeks), the competitive season (9-10 months) and the off-season or holiday period (4-6 weeks). While we know a lot about how players should work during the first two parts of the season, we have not put as much effort into studying the effect rest has on a player’s performance. There could be a high risk of compromising a player’s optimal future performance if their workload during this period is not appropriately planned out. 

A 2016 review of the physiological effects that the off-season has on football players published in Sports Medicine1 journal warns of the dangers of total rest or a substantial reduction in training during this period. The authors examined 12 studies that had to meet 3 conditions: they must have analysed adult football players (over 18 years of age), the specific times when the physiological and performance evaluations were performed, and its effects have to be calculated appropriately. The results suggested that lack of training during holidays (from 3-8 weeks) causes:

  • changes in players’ body composition – body mass and fat percentage increased by 1.9% and 1.6% respectively – while the percentage of lean body mass dropped by 5.5% compared to the competitive season.
  • A loss in neuromuscular performance – the height of players’ squat jumps and counter-movement jumps were reduced by 4.4% and 4.0% respectively.
  • A decrease in aerobic performance – aerobic capabilities and performance in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test and the Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Test were reduced by 4.4%, 2.2% and 1.0% respectively.

 

In any case, it is worth pointing out a very significant finding. The negative effects resulting from the lack of training are much more visible when the rest period lasts longer than 4 weeks. Loss of performance is significantly less pronounced with breaks lasting less than 4 weeks. Also, the data should be viewed with caution since the analysed studies included both professional and semi-professional athletes.

The same study also provided some suggestions on how to reduce the negative effects resulting from the drop-off in training during the holidays:

  • Workload programmes proposed during holiday periods should be characterised by clear objectives, a low number of training sessions and simple training tools to gradually meet the workload plan.
  • Coaches should adopt a holistic perspective and keep in mind social aspects, the player’s family, the need for mental recovery, etc., when defining the training variables (frequency, intensity, volume) as well as the types of exercises that the players will perform during the off-season.
  • A player’s history (accumulated competitive minutes, history of injuries, etc.), personality, preferences and length of the rest period are all factors that should be considered when prescribing the workload.
  • The best plan is one that has been adjusted to fit the specific needs of each player.
  • The proposed programme should include a minimum of two sessions per week (with 48-72 hours in between): one HIIT session and one strength and power session.
  • It is recommendable to focus on reducing the risk of the most common football injuries, as well as those that could individually affect each player, depending on the player’s characteristics (keeping in mind strength imbalances or previous injuries, for example).

The off-season, besides being useful for recovering from the physiological and psychological stress of the season, can be seen as an opportunity to better prepare players for the coming year. A well-planned off-season programme can help improve the effects of training in the upcoming pre-season, and can also correct or reduce specific player issues that cannot be addressed at other times during the year due to time constraints. Ultimately, it is looking after the fitness of an individual player as opposed to that of the team.

 

Carlos Lago Peñas

 

Sign up for the Certificate in Psychology for High Performance Sports

 

 References

  1. Silva, J.R.; Brito, J.; Akenhead, R. & Nassis, G.P. (2016). The transition period in soccer: A window of opportunity. Sports Medicine, 46: 305-313.

RELATED NOTES

Fluids and electrolytes in football

This process of losing body water is called dehydration, due to which acute or chronic dehydration, called hypohydration, occurs.

The Role of the Immune System in Sports Performance

The immune system is our body’s defence system against external elements such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi.

The Role of Carbohydrates in Football

Carbohydrates are one of the fundamental nutrients for all living organisms, together with proteins and fats.

Effects of heading the ball on the health of footballers

Forensic neuropathologist Bennet Omalu had no idea that the autopsy he was about to perform would turn the all-powerful National Football League on its head.

VITAMINE D IN ATHLETES

Nutrition plays an essential role in the athletes’ performance and health. However, the focus is often placed on some variables such as energy consumption or adequate intake of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates, and fats), leaving out the important role of other elements such as vitamins.

A step forward in the classification of muscle injuries

Muscle injuries are one of the main concerns in sports performance.

Player’s motivation in tough situations

Stadio Olímpico, Rome, in 2009. Manchester United and FC Barcelona are getting ready to play against each other in the Champions League Final.

Caffeine and performance, does it work for everybody?

There are several supplements to improve sports performance. However, only a few of them are scientifically proven to be effective.

A new tool to control muscle load in football players

Professional football players have some particular physiological characteristics which allow them to run an average of 10-12 km per match as well as reaching speeds above 30 km/h.

What factors are involved in hamstrings injury?

Hamstrings injury is the most frequent muscle injury in sports that require high speeds, such as football, rugby or American football.

Can Preseason Reduce the Risk of Injury?

Preseason goals in elite football are diverse. It is about testing, “measuring forces with other teams” and developing the physical abilities of the players to prepare them in the best way possible for the demands of the season.

The subacromial impingement syndrome does not alter the order of muscle activation during physiological movements of the shoulder

Shoulder problems are quite common, with 30% of people suffering pain in this part of the body at some moment in their lives.

HEAT ACCLIMATISATION AND PERFORMANCE

Athletes often face adverse weather conditions in their competitions. One of the most worrying factors for coaches and athletes is heat.

METABOLITES: A NEW BIOMARKER TO OPTIMIZE PERFORMANCE

Monitoring and quantifying the plethora of internal and external factors associated with performance allows us to better understand training adaptations and, based on these, make adjustments of the players’ condition.

MUSCLE INJURY PREVENTION IN ELITE FOOTBALL PLAYERS, WHAT EXERCISES WORK?

Muscle injuries are a major concern in the world of football. Therefore, the focus on preventive strategies for muscular injuries is fundamental.

DIFFERENTIAL ASPECTS OF FEMALE PHYSIOLOGY IN TEAM SPORTS FOR LOAD MONITORING

The rise of women in sports started years ago, and it is expected to continue growing at all levels. It now corresponds to science to respond to the specificity necessary to apply, in order to adapt its performance.

WHAT DOES THE CARE FOR ATHLETES’ IMMUNE SYSTEMS TEACH US?

The confinement situation we are currently leaving behind, as it has been reported by multiple media sources, supposed a threat to the immune system.

THE INCIDENCE OF TENDINOPATHY IN FC BARCELONA’S TEAM SPORTS

Tendinopathies are estimated to represent approximately 30% of musculoskeletal consultations.

A PIONEERING STUDY IN PATELLAR TENDINOPATHY: TREATMENT WITH BONE MARROW MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS

Patellar tendinopathy – pain and degeneration in the patellar tendon – is a frequent injury among athletes.

THE ROLE OF THE SPORTS DOCTOR AFTER THE RETURN TO COMPETITION IN FOOTBALL

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) health crisis has made our society take extraordinary measures affecting all aspects of our lives, and sport could not be less.

THE MEAL BEFORE A GAME

Food plays a fundamental role in all aspects of our life and it is especially important before a game.

MATT TABERNER’S “CONTROL-CHAOS CONTINUUM” REHABILITATION AFTER INJURY MODEL

As a team’s success is greatly determined by player availability, injuries may exert a great influence upon the team’s results throughout a season, subsequently affecting the team’s final league position and the club’s financial income.

COOPERATION BETWEEN DOCTORS AND COACHES, IS KEY TO MINIMISE THE RISK OF RELAPSE

Lack of coordination between coaches and medical teams implies a higher risk of relapse in professional football teams.

CONSEQUENCES OF THE LOCKDOWN FOR PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES

There is no precedent whatsoever for the situation lived in professional sports all over the world as a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic. The majority of athletes have had to face uncertainty.

RETURN TO TRAINING AND COMPETITION IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL AFTER COVID-19. WHAT DO THE EXPERTS THINK?

The pandemic curve seems to have flattened, and now the health authorities have already started to design a de-escalation plan.

SHOULD THE COMPETITION BE RESUMED DURING THE HEALTH EMERGENCY?

In 2007, a review on the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) was published in the Clinical Microbiology Reviews magazine.

COVID-19: WHAT CLUBS AND ATHLETES SHOULD KNOW

The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus at the end of 2019 has triggered a series of events that will presumably change many of the things we consider as normal in our everyday life.

ANDREAS IVARSSON: “INCLUDING PSYCHOLOGICAL TECHNIQUES IN THE PREVENTION PROGRAMS WOULD REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURIES”

One of the great dangers an athlete can face, if not the greatest, is the risk of getting injured. That’s why its prevention and treatment constitute an essential part of the medical and performance department of the clubs.

MOVING MAKES US HAPPIER (PART 2)

The effects of exercising: from an increase in motivation, willpower and emotional control, to the improvement of memory, attention, and learning.

MOVING MAKES US HAPPIER (PART 1)

Moving makes us happier and helps to create a well-being state to all of us.

ROUTINES TO KEEP HEALTHY DURING THE CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE PERIOD

How can we keep healthy during isolation? There are a lot of small activities we can do in order to promote salutogenesis.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE SPORT AND BONE HEALTH. ARE ALL SPORTS THE SAME?

Osteoporosis is a highly common disease among a certain age, which presents low levels of bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) with an increased risk of bone fracture.

A recent study suggests that the nordic hamstring exercise could help reduce ischiosural muscle injuries

The ischiosural muscles are one of the most common groups of muscles to get injured, especially in sports which involve changes of direction and speed.

JUANJO BRAU: “INJURIES AREN’T TREATED, THEY’RE MANAGED”

Juanjo Brau arrived at FC Barcelona in 1997 and now he is the head of the physiotherapy department at the club.

HYPOXIA, KEY IN TENDINOPATHY

Tendinopathy is one of the most common injuries in elite sport.

PERIODIZATION IS AN ESSENTIAL CONCEPT IN SPORTS NUTRITION

Nutritional periodization involves merging it with other physical and mental training strategies.

RECOVERY TIME OF THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY IN ELITE FOOTBALL

The anterior cruciate ligament rupture (ACL) is a complicated injury for football players.

INTERNAL COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE MEDICAL STAFF AND THE COACH IS KEY

During the last two decades, the muscle injury ratio and the players’ attendance to the training sessions and competition matches have remained stable in male professional football.

BLOOD FLOW RESTRICTION TRAINING: FROM SCIENCE TO PRACTICE

Professor Jeremy Loenneke, from the University of Mississippi, is one of the leading researchers in this field, and his work has widely contributed to much of what we currently know about BFR.

HALF-TIME STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE PLAYER PERFORMANCE IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE GAME

During this half-time break, players try to rest mentally and physically.

CAN SLEEP TRACKERS HELP IMPROVE OUR SLEEP HYGIENE?

Sleep Trackers have been around for more than a decade, and these apps or devices are aimed to measure the amount and quality of our sleep.

LACK OF SLEEP WEAKENS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM AND DELAYS RECOVERY FOR ATHLETES

Among the many benefits of sleeping well, for athletes there is one very important reason and that’s why they need to sleep more hours: they need to restore the balance to their immune system.

A NEW DISCOVERY OPENS THE DOOR FOR PROBIOTICS TO BOOST ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

Interest in the human microbiome is on the rise in the scientific community. These microorganisms living in our intestines not only help in terms of digestion, but they also influence the way we eat and the development of every aspect of our metabolism.

FOODS THAT ARE VERY HEALTHY BUT ARE NOT RECOMMENDED DURING EXERCISE

There are all sorts of very healthy foods that are recommended as part of an elite athlete’s diet.

THE BENEFITS OF TAKING A NAP FOR YOUNG ATHLETES

A short nap can reinforce the memory of what was learned just as well as a full night’s sleep.

OUR BRAIN HINDERS SLEEP THE FIRST NIGHT AWAY FROM HOME, BUT WE CAN STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING

Not feeling rested after your first night away from home is normal and has traditionally been associated to psychological factors or fatigue from having travelled the day before.

MENTAL FATIGUE IN ELITE FOOTBALL: THE IMPORTANCE OF HOLIDAYS

Players simply train and compete a lot and we know that there is a high risk of injury and of physical fatigue when players train and compete too much.

WHAT ROLE DO ANTIOXIDANTS PLAY FOR ELITE ATHLETES?

Right after we are born, our bodies begin to oxidise. This is a natural process that results from our exposure to various elements such as pollution, an excess of solar radiation, stress and even physical exercise.

MEDICAL CHALLENGES IN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL

The relationship between health and athletic performance go hand in hand, and elite sports couldn’t be understood without the direct supervision of specialized doctors.

IRREGULAR SLEEP: THE ENEMY OF PERFORMANCE IN TEENAGERS

There is an increasing tendency among teenagers all over the world to sleep fewer hours during the week and to make up for it over the weekend.

THE USE OF WELLNESS QUESTIONNAIRES IN FOOTBALL

Training load (TL) management is a key component for optimising performance. Understanding TL will allow us to evaluate fatigue and to anticipate overload and overtraining in order to minimise injury risk.

RECOVERY AFTER SPORTS ACTIVITY AND THE FOUR RS OF NUTRITION

Nutrition plays a major role and has a great impact on all aspects of our lives. It is even more important when we are talking about recovery post-exercise.

THE ROLE OF NUTRITION IN ELITE SPORTS

Nutrition should help optimise everyone’s health, but for athletes also optimises performance and it is a key component for reaching one’s maximum physical development.

COLD THERAPY TO IMPROVE POST-EXERCISE RECOVERY. IS THIS METHOD TRULY EFFECTIVE?

Facilitating proper recovery after training sessions is essential to improve the athlete’s performance.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TRAINING AND COMPETING IN HEAT

When athletes train or compete in a hot environment, their body temperature increases and a series of mechanisms for eliminating heat are triggered.

THE PLANTARIS TENDON, A NEW PLAYER FOR RESISTANT ACHILLES TENDINOPATHIES

Chronic Achilles tendinopathy is one of the most common tendon disorders, both for athletes and for people who are not necessarily involved in sports.

MANAGING FAMILIAL HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA IN ELITE ATHLETES

FC Barcelona’s first team doctors Mindaugas Gudelis and Ricard Pruna reviewed a series of cases and carried out a brief clinical analysis of familial hypercholesterolemia in high-performance athletes in an article for the scientific journal Apunts Medicina de L’Esport.

THE FATMAX STRESS TEST AND THE ATHLETE’S TYPE OF ENERGY METABOLISM

An article published in the scientific journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise has shown that a FATMAX stress test on professional footballers not only provides cardiovascular fitness levels, but also helps to understand the players’ main energy metabolism.

HOW CAN YOU TRAIN YOUR GUT FOR EXERCISE?

Up until a few years ago, it was considered normal for sportspeople to have digestive problems while exercising.

MAGNETIC RESONANCE AND MUSCLE INJURIES: AN ANALYSIS OF THE CLASSIFICATIONS AVAILABLE

Muscle injuries make up more than 30% of sports injuries. It occurs that a professional football team can expect to suffer an average of 15 incidents related to muscle injuries per season

FOUR EFFECTIVE TESTS TO PREVENT SUDDEN DEATH IN TEENAGE ATHLETES

Two in every one hundred thousand young athletes die every year from what is known as sudden cardiac death. It is a small figure, but every single case is devastating: not only for their families and loved ones, but also for society, which will be in shock at such an unexpected death.

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CONNECTIVE TISSUE IN MUSCLE INJURIES

An article published in The Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine —in which members of the club’s medical services participated— now suggests to consider the detailed structure of the area affected, and treating the extracellular matrix as an essential player in the prognosis of the injury.

RECOVERY NUTRITION FOR FOOTBALL: BUILDING A TEAM

SURGERY FOR CENTRAL HAMSTRING TENDON INJURIES: AN INTERNAL STUDY

Two years ago, the FC Barcelona medical team decided to operate on the athletes with this type of injury. What were the results?

The Athlete’s Physical: an Essential Examination

A health check must detect situations which, despite not showing obvious symptoms, may endanger athletes subject to the highest demands.

Diagnostic Imaging in Sports Medicine: Present and Future

Muscle injuries account for more than 30% of all injuries in sports like soccer. Their significance is therefore enormous in terms of training sessions and lost game time.

DO YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE?

  • SUBSCRIBE
  • CONTACT
  • APPLY

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH OUR NEWS

Do you have any questions about Barça Universitas?

  • Startup
  • Research Center
  • Corporate

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIELDS:

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIELDS:

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIELDS:

The Form has been sent successfully.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIELDS:

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIELDS:

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIELDS:

The Form has been sent successfully.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIELDS:

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIELDS:

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FIELDS:

The Form has been sent successfully.