Multiple regression analysis for competitive performance assessment of professional soccer players.

BACKGROUND: Being in peak physical condition and having specific motor abilities are necessity for every top-level soccer player in order to achieve success in competition. In order to correctly assess soccer players' performance, this research uses laboratory and field measurements, as well as results of competitive performance obtained by direct software measurements of players' movement during the actual soccer game. OBJECTIVE: The main goal of this research is to give insight into the key abilities that soccer players need to have in order to perform in competitive tournaments. Besides training adjustments, this research also gives insight into what variables need to be tracked in order to accurately assess the efficiency and functionality of the players. METHODS: The collected data need to be analyzed using descriptive statistics. Collected data is also used as input for multiple regression models that can predict certain key measurements: total distance covered, percent of effective movements and high index of effective performance movements. RESULTS: Most of the calculated regression models have high predictability level with statistically significant variables. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of regression analysis it can be deduced that motor abilities are important factor in measuring soccer player's competitive performance and team's success in the match.

Quantification of Respiratory and Muscular Perceived Exertions as Perceived Measures of Internal Loads During Domestic and Overseas Training Camps in Elite Futsal Players.

BACKGROUND: The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scales with respiratory and muscular illustrations are recognized as simple and practical methods to understand individual psychometric characteristics in breathing and muscle exertion during exercise. However, the implementation of respiratory and muscular RPE to quantify training load in futsal training camps has not been examined. This study investigates respiratory and muscular RPE relationships during domestic training camps (DTC) and overseas training camps (OTC) in an under 20 futsal national team. METHODS: Data collected from eleven field players were used for comparison in this study (age = 18.7 ± 0.7 years, height = 171.9 ± 6.1 cm, body weight = 64.2 ± 8.4 kg). All players reported Borg CR10 RPE (RPECR10) and 7-scales respiratory RPE (RPErespiration) and muscular RPE (RPEmuscle) (Dalhousie pictorial scales) after training sessions and matches. Additionally, total distance covered (TD) and training impulse (TRIMP) were used to quantify external and internal loads via the Polar Team Pro system. Paired-sample t-tests were used to compare the RPECR10, RPErespiration, RPEmuscle, TD, and TRIMP between DTC and OTC. Furthermore, linear regression was performed to determine the relationships among all RPE scales, TD, and TRIMP. RESULTS: The RPECR10 (p = 0.047), TD (p < 0.001), and TRIMP (p < 0.001) showed significant difference between DTC and OTC. Furthermore, linear regression analyses showed significant correlation between RPErespiration and RPEmuscle (DTC: r = 0.857, p = 0.006; OTC: r = 0.924, p < 0.001), RPECR10 and RPErespiration (DTC: r = 0.857, p = 0.001; OTC: r = 0.863, p = 0.001), and RPECR10 and RPEmuscle (DTC: r = 0.906, p < 0.001; OTC: r = 0.900, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Pictorial RPErespiration or RPEmuscle can be used as an alternative to quantify perceived measures of internal loads during DTC and OTC in futsal players. Interpretation of perceived measures of training load and cardiac-related responses in association with external training loads during short-term training camps would be useful in further understanding the demands of futsal players' experience in these circumstances.