ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BASELINE FIELD TEST PERFORMANCE AND MATCH PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN D1 FEMALE SOCCER PLAYERS

Author

Benito Joel Cecenas, University of Montana, MissoulaFollow

Year of Award

2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Name

Health and Human Performance (Exercise Science Option)

Department or School/College

Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training

Committee Chair

Dr. Shane P. Murphy

Commitee Members

Dr. Matt Bundle, Dr. Claire Adam

Keywords

Soccer, Field Testing, GPS Monitors, Athletic Performance

Publisher

University of Montana

Subject Categories

Exercise Physiology | Exercise Science

Abstract

Background: Fitness testing is utilized by numerous soccer programs as a means for evaluation of player physical capacity. Previous literature has shown Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIR1) performance is associated with match physical performance in elite adult and youth soccer players. Until now, these relationships have not been investigated in the collegiate soccer setting, despite the YYIR1 being regularly utilized at the collegiate level to determine eligibility for competition, influence playing time, and to assess adaptation to training programs. For these reasons the association between the YYIR1 and match physical performance was investigated in women’s collegiate soccer.

Aims: 1) To investigate the association between the YYIR1 and match physical performance in collegiate female soccer players. 2) To expand on existing YYIR1 performance and match physical performance data in this population.

Methods: Baseline YYIR1 performance scores, GPS match data, and confounding factors data were collected for two competitive seasons. A linear mixed model was used to assess the relationship between baseline YYIR1 performance and match total distance (TD), high-intensity running distance (HIRD), and sprint distance (SD) metrics, while adjusting for potential confounding factors.

Hypothesis: Increased YYIR1 performance is associated with increased match TD, HIRD, and SD when confounding factors are adjusted for.

Results: The mean YYIR1 baseline score was 33.1 ± 5.3 levels (1323 ± 211m). Mean match physical performance values for TD, HIRD, and SD were 107.7±12, 7.84±3.34, and 1.63±1.1 m/min, respectively. Linear mixed model results demonstrated that an increase in YYIR1 performance by one level is associated with increases in match physical performance of 0.95 (0.257 - 1.651) m/min, 0.27 (0.138 - 0.405) m/min, and 0.05 (0.002 - 0.095) m/min for TD, HIRD, and SD, respectively.

Discussion: Increased performance in the YYIR1 is associated with an increase in match physical performances in collegiate female soccer players. This extends similar previous findings from other populations and provides evidence that the YYIR1 is a valuable tool for strength and conditioning when assessing physical preparation for competition in collegiate female soccer players. This study also expands existing data describing YYIR1 performance and match physical performance in D1 female soccer players.

Recommended Citation

Cecenas, Benito Joel, "ASSOCIATION BETWEEN BASELINE FIELD TEST PERFORMANCE AND MATCH PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN D1 FEMALE SOCCER PLAYERS" (2023). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 12075.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/12075