Assessment of the external load of amateur soccer players during four consecutive training microcycles in relation to the external load during the official match

– Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the external load of amateur male players during 4 consecutive training microcycles (M) at the beginning of the in-season according to the training session in absolute external load demands and in relation to the competition demands. Methods: Regional-level players (n = 10; age, 20.8 ± 1.7 years; height, 175.5 ± 3.8 cm; body mass, 69.7 ± 2.9 kg; soccer experience, 13.2 ± 2.5 years) were monitored using GPS devices during training sessions and matches. The external load variables measured were: duration (min); total distance covered (TD); distance covered at high-speed (HID, 14.4-19.8 km/h); distance covered at sprinting (SPD; >19.8 km/h); and distance covered in high intensity acceleration (ACD; >2.5 m/s2) and deceleration (DECD; <-2.5 m/s2). Results: The results indicated that the external load variables (time, HID, SPD, ACD, and DECD) were similar between the four microcycles. Greater (p<0.01) time, TD, HID and SPD were observed in match day (MD)-2 compared to MD+1, MD-3, and MD-1. Aside from training duration, all external loads variables (TD, HID, SPD, ACD, and DECD) were lower during training sessions compared to official matches (p<0.05). Conclusion: Amateur soccer players present relative stable external training loads across competitive microcycles, with the peak load observed two days before the official match. Besides this, the match constitutes the highest load during a typical competitive microcycle in this cohort of players.