Degree Name
PhD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Program
Sport Physiology and Performance
Date of Award
7-2026
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
Marco Duca
Committee Members
Michael H. Stone, Satoshi Mizuguchi, Fiona Dodge
Abstract
The purpose of this dissertation was to examine how GPS-derived acceleration–speed (A-S) profiling, in-season resistance training, and on-field demands can be integrated to better understand athlete monitoring and physical performance adaptation in NCAA Division I women’s soccer. Across the included studies, retrospective performance, training, and match data were collected across two competitive seasons using 10-Hz Catapult GNSS units, resistance-training records, and pre- to post-season physical performance testing.
Study 1 was an investigation of the effects of velocity processing, filtering method, and speed-threshold selection on A-S profile estimates in 20 players across six competitive matches. A0 was significantly influenced by filtering methods and minimum speed threshold, whereas S0 was influenced by speed threshold. Significant processing × filter and processing × filter × threshold interactions were observed for both A0 and S0 (all p ≤ .011). A0 showed condition-specific moderate associations with maximal sprint acceleration (r = .50–.52, p ≈ .02), whereas S0 showed trivial-to-small, non-significant associations with maximal sprint speed.
Study 2 was an investigation of the longitudinal utility of A–S profile parameters in 16 players. S0 was moderately associated with maximal sprint speed under confidence-interval filtering (p = .019, r = .494), but A0 was not associated with maximal acceleration or isometric mid-thigh pull peak force. Changes in A0 and S0 were not associated with changes in sprint, strength, or jump performance (p = .206–.982), while changes in S0 were strongly and negatively associated with changes in A0 (p < .001, r = −.84).
Study 3 was an examination of the dose-response relationship between in-season resistance-training volume load and physical fitness in 32 players. Greater resistance-training volume load was associated with favorable adaptations in lean mass, jump performance, strength, change-of-direction ability, and sprint outcomes, with moderate-to-large effects across significant models (p < .05; r = .54–.86). LASSO regression showed strong prediction of post-test skeletal muscle mass (R² = .943, MAE = 0.642 kg, RMSE = 0.770 kg).
Study 4 showed that high-volume-load players completed more resistance-training sessions (p < .001, d = 5.65), accumulated greater volume load (p < .001, d = 4.35), and covered greater seasonal on-field total distance (p = .001, d = 0.44).
Overall, GPS-derived A–S profiling was feasible but methodologically sensitive and should not replace traditional testing, whereas consistent 1-2 weekly in-season resistance training supported favorable physical adaptations and selected on-field demands.
Document Type
Dissertation - embargo
Recommended Citation
Liu, Hanwen, "Integrating In-Situ Acceleration-Speed Profiling, Resistance Training, and On-Field Demands to Investigate Physical and Game Performance in Division I Women’s Soccer" (2026). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 4740. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/4740
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.
