Degree Name

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)

Program

Sport Physiology and Performance

Date of Award

8-2024

Committee Chair or Co-Chairs

Marco Duca

Committee Members

Satoshi Mizuguchi, Michael H. Stone, Matt L. Sams

Abstract

The purposes of this dissertation were to examine the physical and technical demands of collegiate NCAA D-I male soccer players over the course of a competitive season. The following are the major findings of the dissertation:

Study 1 – GPS normative data was calculated by position using data from 5 seasons (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022). GPS data was compared by position for 5 different GPS-derived metrics. No statistically significant differences were found in any field or lab testing data by position. Statistically significant relationships were found between physical match performance variables of TD and SPR with both YYIRT-1 and 20m sprint time, as well as between IMA-A and 20m sprint time. These results suggest that both the YYIRT-1 and the 20m sprint test is related to match performance in soccer players of this population.

Study 2 – Normative data was provided for technical-tactical variables retrieved via WyScout®, a video analysis software used to tag technical actions of soccer games. Normative technical-tactical data are presented as mean ± SD. Statistically significant low to moderate negative correlations were found between total volume of technical actions and GPS variables. No statistically significant relationships were found between the strength-power lab tests measures and any of the total volume measures of technical actions. Statistically significant low to moderate correlations were found between speed and endurance field tests and total volume of technical actions.

Study 3 – The relationship between training load and physical capabilities was examined by using appropriate testing. Bootstrapped ANOVA results showed statistically significant changes in pre and post testing for Static Jump Peak Power in the loaded condition. No other significant changes in lab testing results were found. Statistically significant changes in Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test scores were found in pre- and post-testing. The relationship between GPS training load metrics and percentage of change in the administered test was found to be statistically significant between HSR distance and YYIRT distance, CMJ Peak Power and both TD and IMA-D.

Physical capacity of NCAA D-I male soccer players seems to deteriorate over the season, but not differ statistically from baseline measurements. Physical changes could be context-dependent and a consequence of the specific training plan. Overall, soccer performance at the NCAA D-I level is multi-factorial and an analysis of the in-season demands of this population of athletes appears to yield some counterintuitive results.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

Copyright

Copyright by the authors.

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