Managing Congested Fixtures by Marc Lindsey

Nowadays, many players perform in domestic, European and international competitions throughout the
year, with teams amassing 50-60 games over a season. Because of this, the number of fixtures can
increase drastically with two matches often being played per week (11). For this reason, we must
understand, observe and interpret, the physiological markers of fatigue, to determine the effect on
performance.

Technological advancement has allowed us to better understand how movement demands can differ
greatly between playing positions (4), with work at higher speed thresholds shown to be directly
influenced by the opposition (7, 41), ability level and the advantage of playing matches at home (21).
Research has also identified that teams losing in the second half or which are ranked lower in their
domestic league, can cover greater distances at high intensity (14, 16). Studies have also revealed minimal
variation in technical proficiency during congested fixture periods (11, 29, 42). Conditioning of elite players
must inevitably develop the physical qualities necessary to endure repetitive match play and an ability
to recover in short time periods. However, it is not simplistic enough to assume that a player is fatigued,
should they run less high intensity distance from one game to the next.

Match situations can sometimes dictate a player’s necessity to perform at higher intensities. Therefore,
the use of metrics such as high intensity and sprint distance must be considered contextually. Rampinini
et al. (2007) reported higher CV values for high intensity and sprint distance in comparison to total
distance. Post-match fatigue and subsequent recovery in elite footballers has also depended on the
number of hard accelerations and decelerations performed during play (36). Arruda et al. (2015) also
found a significant reduction in accelerations/min during a professional youth football tournament. The
ability to maintain an elevated number of accelerations during consecutive matches could be viewed as
an important additional requisite in play, compared to the other more commonly used metrics. Due to
the high variability of match-to-match high intensity running, the practical applications of these metrics
need to be considered. It seems plausible that central and peripheral factors may be more reliable to
monitor the state of fatigue.

Players have also been shown to adopt individualised pacing strategies during matches. Lambert et al.
(2005) highlighted the relationship between the teleoanticipatory governor centre (TGC) in the brain
and perceived exertion. The central nervous system subconsciously controls exercise intensity, whilst
the TGC interprets afferent sensations against anticipated outcomes. Following this, Noakes and
Edwards (2009) summarised various pacing strategies into this multi-level model.

Pacing Set
Purpose and Characteristics Dynamic
Strategies Point

Overall pacing plan for the match. A

Macro-pacing subconsciously pre-conceived strategy based x
around a set-point of tolerable physical
discomfort expected over the duration of the
 game

Inter-half pacing plan. This variation from the

macro-plan enables up and down regulation of
Meso-pacing x
effort during a match based on tactical and
specific match considerations

Dynamic pacing plan. This strategy enables the

player to evaluate the impact of acute periods
of intense exercise on the set-point strategies.
Micro-pacing x
For example, a prolonged sprint late in a game
may require an extended recovery to protect
homeostasis

set-point = pacing strategies based on defending exercise homeostasis at an

individualised set-point of tolerable physical discomfort in accordance with each
player’s fitness and experience; dynamic = pacing strategy based on the principles
of negative feedback where temporary fluctuations from the set-point require
longer or shorter recovery, depending on whether exercise homeostasis is
threatened

There are many uncontrollable factors that influence time motion data, making it challenging to predict
game by game variations in match fatigue. However, there are other parameters that are well
researched and can be considered to mitigate fatigue and further to that, the risk of injury.

It is worth considering that several studies highlighting reductions in high intensity output or
acceleration count, have not implemented a structured post-match recovery strategy. Buchheit et al.
(2011) found that youth players benefited from a structured post-match recovery strategy during a
double game week, on measures of repeated match-running performance. Vaile et al. (2008) has also
shown that cold-water immersion is effective in reducing the physiological and functional deficits
associated with delayed onset of muscle soreness, including improved recovery of isometric force,
dynamic power and a reduction in localised edema. Recovery strategies following games will
undoubtedly vary between teams, yet successful implementation of practical, evidence-based
procedures could potentially maximise recovery between games, controlling the notable reduction in
performance parameters or injury.

Dellal et al. (2013) and Carling et al. (2012) reported injury rates of 43.3 and 50.3/1000 hours of match
exposure respectively, which is higher than figures reported from training. Understandably, the rigours
of match play are considerably different to training, but the implementation of recovery strategies, low-
intensity technical recovery and players self-controlling their activity will aid in maintaining high
intensity performance during consecutive matches. Dupont et al. (2010) highlighted how 76% of the
injuries sustained over a 67-game period, separated by 3-4 days were overuse injuries. An injury
prevention programme was not implemented during this period and could explain such high figures.
Regeneration strategies that do not affect match-related physical performance but allow for
neuromuscular recovery, are warranted to minimise overuse injuries.

Post-match analysis of the hamstring, the most commonly injured muscles in football (5, 24) has
highlighted various levels of subsequent muscle damage. Nédélec et al. (2014) found isometric strength
reductions of 6.7 ± 5.7% at 72 hours post-match. Ascensão et al. (2008) found a ~15% decrease in peak
torque up to 24 hours post-match with strength reductions remaining at ~10% up to 72 hours after.
Small et al. (2010) concluded that eccentric peak torque was significantly reduced by 16.8% over the
duration of a 90-minute match. As a result, physical performance measures, such as sprint speed, can be
affected in the days following both single and multiple matches per week (36, 44), as the capacity of the
muscle to produce maximum force is diminished (35). This inability to produce the required force
simultaneously to performing the necessary game-based movements is thought to increase injury risk
(47).

Ispirlidis et al. (2008) suggested it could take four to five days for pre-game 20m sprint performance to
normalise. With limited recovery, this could be highly detrimental to performance, as research has
shown the mean sprint distance covered during games is roughly 10-30m (13). Countermovement jump
ability was also reduced during this period (1). Implementing injury prevention programmes can support
the reduction in injury rate, but with limited time between matches, it is difficult to implement because
the priority is to optimise recovery.

According to Ekstrand et al. (2004), 60% of players who had played more than 1 match a week before
the 2002 World Cup, incurred injuries or underperformed during the tournament. Lago-Peñas (2009),
concluded that congested periods increase the risk of fatigue; in turn, exposing players to a greater risk
of injury. Laboratory experiments have shown pre-fatigued muscles to absorb less energy before failure
(31), whilst a study on Australian rules players reported that increases in knee extension during terminal
leg swing following repetitive dynamic efforts (39), according to Thelen et al. (2005), would lead to
greater strains, particularly to the hamstring. Dupont et al. (2010) stated that team injury incidence
whilst competing in multiple games over a space of four days, was dramatically elevated compared to
other members of the team who had not competed as regularly.

Using twitch interpolation to measure post-match fatigue, Rampinini et al. (2011) found an ~8% drop of
% voluntary activation (VA) which suggests central neural drive has been affected during a match. This
may have influenced maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) along with other maximal activities such as
sprinting. This may be more relevant when observing half-to-half changes in intensity as these figures
seem to return to normal within 48 hours. However, accumulating fixtures over a season could alter
these figures should other physical capacities also become affected.

In general, fatigue factors relating to performance diminution and insufficient recovery have previously
been attributed to glycogen depletion (27, 34), restricted regeneration time for energy replenishment(22),
increased concentrations of muscle-damage markers such as creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase (45),
inflammation (25) and other various immune and endocrine responses to matches (18, 23, 50). Further
associated factors linking fatigue with hamstring strain injuries for example include alterations in
technique and reductions in coordination and muscle recruitment patterns (12).

Studies into match-to-match variability have influenced professional practice and various uncontrollable
factors have brought mixed conclusions on teams’ ability to cope with congested schedules. Physical
parameters have been shown to decrease hours after a match and may have affected the risk of injury,
without significantly affecting total distance, high intensity and sprint distance. The observation of
locomotion parameters is too sensitive to claim that repetitive matches will significantly affect physical
output. However, further consideration of mechanisms related to strength, power and speed must be
addressed to counter injury risk. Research indicates that high intensity activity in elite football match-
play is influenced by both playing position, previous in game activity and subsequent success of the
team.

Analysing matches in close-proximity is important when considering players’ productivity with regards to
tasks relative to their position. Locomotion data should also not be used as a measure of performance
quality. A player can play well and execute tactical instruction efficiently, yet their game data be lower
compared to normal values. Skill tasks have been shown to be not overly affected by central or
peripheral fatigue indicators in elite players, whereas it may be the case at a lower level. Training
methods should account for lower level players who are potentially less conditioned and more
susceptible to fatigue, meaning skill tasks could consequently become more affected. This may indicate
that overall technical and tactical effectiveness of the team rather than high levels of physical
performance per se are more important in determining success in football during congested periods.