Physiological and Physical Responses According to the Game Surface in a Soccer Simulation Protocol

Abstract

Purpose: Recent studies have shown that soccer player’s responses are similar on natural grass (NG) and artificial turf (AT), but they did not control the mechanical properties of these surfaces. This work aimed to analyse the influence of the game surface on amateur soccer player’s physical and physiological responses using a soccer simulation protocol (SSP).

Methods: Sixteen amateur players performed three bouts of the SSP on AT and NG. The mechanical properties of both surfaces were recorded. The order of surfaces was randomly established for each participant. Physiological responses of players were assessed before and after the six-repeated sprints test existing at the midpoint of each bout. Fatigue (% Best; % Diff) and general variables (total time; best time, mean time; maximum speed) for both the repeated sprint test and the agility tests (nonlinear actions at maximum speed) incorporated into the SSP were also analysed.

Results: The two surfaces displayed different mechanical properties. Physical responses were found similar for both surfaces (p>0.05) before and after the repeated sprint test. There were no surface differences in sprint times or fatigue variables for the repeated sprint test (p>0.05). The agility test was faster on AT than on NG in bout 1 (average speed [+1.17 Km/h; p=0.037]; agility test cut time [-0.31 s; p=0.027] and best time [-0.52 s; p=0.042]).

Conclusions: The differences in the mechanical properties of the two surfaces are not sufficient to cause differences in the physiological and physical responses of soccer players, although they may affect turns and cuts.