Browsing by Author "McDaid, Kevin"
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- An analysis of positional generic and individualized speed thresholds within the most demanding phases of match play in the english premier leaguePublication . Kavanagh, Ronan; McDaid, Kevin; Rhodes, David; McDonnell, Jack; Oliveira, Rafael; Morgans, RylandTo analyze the positional distances covered above generic and individualized speed thresholds within the most demanding phases of match play. Categorized by position, 17 English Premier League players’ match data were analyzed over 2 consecutive seasons (2019–20 and 2020–21). The most demanding phases of play were determined using a rolling average across 4 periods of 1, 3, 5, and 10 minutes. Distance covered in the time above the standard speed of 5.5 m/s was analyzed, with individualized metrics based on the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) test data. Results: Central defenders displayed lower values for high-intensity periods when compared with fullbacks, midfielders, and wide midfielders for both generic and individualized metrics. MAS during 1-minute periods was significantly higher for forwards when compared with central defenders (82.9 [18.9] vs 67.5 [14.8] for maximum high-speed running [HSR] and 96.0 [15.9] vs 75.7 [13.8] HSR for maximum MAS activity). The maximum effect size differences between the central midfielders, wide midfielders, and fullbacks for HSR and MAS measures under the maximum HSR criterion was 0.28 and 0.18 for the 1-minute period, 0.36 and 0.19 for the 3-minute period, 0.46 and 0.31 for the 5-minute period, and 0.49 and 0.315 for the 10-minute period. Conclusions: Individualized speed metrics may provide a more precise and comparable measure than generic values. Data appear to be consistent across playing positions except for central defenders. This information may allow practitioners to directly compare individualized physical outputs of non–central defenders during the most demanding phases of play regardless of the players’ positional group. This may provide coaches with important information regarding session design, training load, and fatigue monitoring.
- The relationship between the 1200 m shuttle test and 40 m sprint test performance and distances covered in English Premier League matches: A retrospective two season studyPublication . Kavanagh, Ronan; Matteotti, Matteo; Oliveira, Rafael; McDaid, Kevin; Alexander, Jill; Harper, Damian; Zmijewski, Piotr; Rhodes, David; Morgans, RylandTo identify a relationship between the 1200 m shuttle test and 40 m sprint test performance with distances covered at varying intensities in English Premier League (EPL) matches. A squad (n = 21) of full-time professional 1st team male football players (age 29.8±3.4 years; height 183.7±5.2 cm; weight 83.7±6.9 kg) participated in this study. League match data from the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons were recorded and analysed via an Optical Tracking System (OTS) (Second Spectrum®, Los Angeles, USA) to report physical match performance data. Average velocity during the 1200 m shuttle test (V1.2ST) was calculated, while Peak sprinting speed (PSS) was estimated using a 40 m maximal sprint. ASR1.2ST was established by subtracting V1.2ST from PSS. The relationship between V1.2ST, 30%ASR1.2ST and distances covered at varying intensities in EPL matches was assessed by a series of independent Linear Mixed Effects (LME) models. Although not statistically significant, for every unit increase in V1.2ST, there was an increase of 1032 m in distance covered, (p = 0.07). A single unit increase in 30%ASR1.2ST is associated with a significant increase of 495 m in high-speed running distance (> 5.5 m·s −1) (p = 0.02). While for each unit increase in 30%ASR1.2ST, sprint distance (> 7 m·s −1) covered significantly increased by 209 m (p = 0.02). In conclusion, high levels of physical fitness such as V1.2ST and 30%ASR1.2ST derived from the 1200 m shuttle and 40 m sprint tests can improve match running performance in elite soccer. Knowledge of this information allows practitioners to tailor training load based on each players individual characteristics, potentially increasing performance.
- The relationship between VO2 max and 1200m shuttle run performance in elite academy football playersPublication . Kavanagh, Ronan; McDaid, Kevin; Rhodes, David; Connor, Mark; Oliveira, Rafael; Varley, Ian; Morgans, RylandPurpose: To investigate the relationship between VO2 max and performance in the 1200m shuttle run test in elite Premier League academy football players. Methods: Seventeen male professional outfield football players completed a laboratory based incremental treadmill test to establish vVO2 max and a field based 1200m shuttle test to estimate velocity at MAS. During the pre-season period a linear speed phase consisting of twice weekly PS exposures were conducted and each player’s PS reached during this period was established. Body composition was measured using DEXA. Results: Examining the standardized (scaled) coefficients, ASR (7.373) had the largest effect on VO2 max followed by PS (-5.568), MAS (3.604), Body Fat (-0.285) and Lean Mass (-0.185).The results suggest that the model is a significantly better predictor than a model that constantly predicts the mean VO2max value (F = 3.422, p = 0.041). Conclusions: The MAS values obtained from the 1200m shuttle test may be an appropriate assessment to consider when monitoring and individualizing high-intensity performance rather than the generic threshold of 5.5 m/s.
- The relationships between distances covered above generic andrelative speed thresholds by male soccer players in EnglishPremier League matches across two competitive seasons.The effects of positional demands and possessionPublication . Kavanagh, Ronan; Michele, Rocco Di; Oliveira, Rafael; McDaid, Kevin; Rhodes, David; Morgans, RylandThe aims of this study were to: a) examine the relationships between high-intensity distances covered above generic and relative speed thresholds in English Premier League (EPL) matches across two consecutive seasons and b) analyze the effects of playing position and team possession. Sixteen elite male soccer players (seven defenders, six midfielders and three forwards) participated in this study (age 27.8 ± 3.5 years, height 183.7 ± 5.4 cm, body mass 83.9 ± 7.1 kg). An Optical Tracking System was used to collect the following variables: total distance covered; high-speed running distance (HSRD) (> 5.5 m/s); high-intensity running distance (HIRD) (5.5–7 m/s); sprint distance (> 7 m/s); total distance covered above Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS); distance covered > 85% peak speed (PS); and distance > 30% Anaerobic Speed Reserve (ASR). All measures were analyzed as whole match totals and as distances covered in the periods of the team in possession (TIP), opponent team in possession (OTIP), and ball out of play (BOP). Analysis by position based on defenders, midfielders and forwards was also performed. Distance > 30% ASR was almost perfectly correlated with HSRD (r = 0.98), while distances > MAS were highly correlated with both HIRD (r = 0.91) and HSRD (r = 0.91), and distance > 85% PS were highly correlated with SD (r = 0.70). Although the generic and relative speed thresholds show almost perfect correlation, the differences between HSRD, HIRD and distance > MAS indicate that players may be exposed to more HIRD when using relative thresholds.