Youth soccer players are required to play multiple matches within a short period of time. Participation in congested match schedules like youth soccer tournaments can result in fatigue and a decline in physical performance. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in countermovement jump height variables and sprint time to determine if physical performance was altered. Fourteen youth female soccer players performed countermovement jump testing pre, post-match, and post-tournament, and sprint testing pre and post-tournament. Jump height differed significantly (p

Effects of a congested match period on countermovement jump height (CMJ) and match performance variables were examined over the course of a D-I female soccer season. Twenty-one female collegiate soccer players (20.3 ± 1.8 yrs, body mass (kg): 62.3 ± 7.3, height (cm): 168.9 ± 6.1, body fat (%): 23.0 ± 3.7. performed CMJ testing prior to regular season matches. Global Positioning System (GPS) was used to assess physical match performance, while pre- and post-season lab and field-based testing was also performed. Analysis of variance trend analyses (ANOVA) were conducted using a linear mixed-effects model (LMM) to examine trends in mean CMJ height and match performance variables over the course of the season. Post hoc comparisons (Cohen’s d) were conducted to clarify trend analysis and to compare and quantify the magnitude of change between consecutive matches. LMM were used to examine relationships between two match performance variables and match-to-match changes in CMJ height. ANOVA was also performed using LMM to examine changes in lab and field-based fitness measures from pre to post-season. Cohen’s d effect sizes focused on pre to post season comparisons. Pre-match CMJ height decreased over time and between consecutive matches separated by 42-92 hours season (p < 0.05). Distance per minute and high-speed running distance per minute fluctuated over the season but did not demonstrate a linear trend (p > 0.5). Match relative volume and intensity were inversely related to pre-match jump height changes in the subsequent match (p < 0.05). Pre and post season lab and field-based testing showed no signs of detraining, suggesting decreases in jump height over the season are unlikely related to loss of fitness components. Decreased jump height between consecutive matches, suggests players are unable to fully recover from previous physical match demands.