Optimal Pretaper Phase on Physical Match Performance in Professional Soccer

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Soccer Performance

Background:

• Optimizing training load and recovery is crucial for peak athletic performance in professional soccer.
• Periodization strategies, including tapering, aim to maximize player readiness for competition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal duration of a pre-taper training period for enhancing match running performance in professional soccer players.
• To compare the effects of different mesocycle lengths (3, 4, and 5 weeks) followed by a 1-week taper on running performance during matches.

Main Methods:

• Training load was monitored over two seasons using different periodization strategies.
• Match running data were collected via a match analysis system.
• Data were analyzed across three mesocycle durations (M3, M4, M5), each concluding with a 1-week taper.

Main Results:

• Tapering significantly reduced training load across all mesocycle durations.
• Match running performance, particularly high-speed running and sprinting, improved significantly after a 1-week taper in the M4 (4-week mesocycle) group.
• The greatest enhancement in match running performance was observed in M4, with an approximate 18% reduction in training load during the taper.

Conclusions:

• A training strategy of 3 standard weeks followed by 1 taper week (M4) appears optimal for enhancing soccer match running performance.
• This specific taper duration maximizes improvements in high-intensity running and overall match running metrics compared to other mesocycle lengths.