Competition often requires teams that reside at sea level to compete against opponents whose residence is at a moderate altitude. This may pose a potential competitive disadvantage considering that moderate altitude may cause decrements in VO2max, distance covered, and time to exhaustion in endurance athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of altitude on game performance measures. Six NCAA Division I female soccer players (20.33 ± 1.21 y; 168 ± 6.45 cm; 62.5 ± 6.03 kg) were retrospectively examined. Comparisons were made between two competitions that were played at sea level (SL) within two weeks of a game played at a moderate altitude (1840 m) on game characteristics including high intensity running (HIR) and total distance covered (TDC). Analysis was performed on these six players who met a threshold of playing sixty or more minutes in each competition. A 10-Hz global positioning system (GPS) was used to measure distance and velocity. The rate of TDC and HIR during the game (m?min-1) and percentage of time at HIR during competition were evaluated. The two games at SL were averaged to establish baseline performance and the mean results were compared with the single game played at altitude. Paired samples t-tests were performed to determine if any mean differences existed between performance at altitude and sea level. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were seen in minutes played between the games at SL (74.23 ± 2.93 min) versus altitude (83.24 ± 5.27 min). The relative distance rate during the game at altitude was lower at altitude (105.77 ± 10.19 m?min-1) than at SL (120.55 ± 8.26 m?min-1). HIR rate was greater at SL (27.65 ± 9.25 m?min-1) compared to altitude (25.07 ± 7.66 m?min-1). The percent of time spent at high intensity was not significantly different (p = 0.064), yet tended to be greater at sea level (10.4 ± 3.3%) than when they performed at altitude (9.1 ±2.2%). Soccer performance at a moderate altitude appears to reduce the rate at which players run throughout the competition, as well as their rate at a high intensity. Results suggest that teams that reside at SL may be at a competitive disadvantage when competing at altitude.

The following thesis investigates contemporary issues within the applied physiology of soccer refereeing. 1) Training performance. The impact of a high intensity training regime was examined in a group of elite-level soccer referees. Following a 16-month training period the referees’ performance on the YoYo Intermittent Recovery Test (level 1) improved by 46.5%. 2) Match Demands. The effect of match standard and referee experience upon the objective and subjective match loads of referees was investigated. Match heart rates (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were both related to standard of competition, with the match loads being higher on the higher standard of competition. Referee experience had no effect upon the referees’ match responses. Using a semi-automatic, video match analysis system the referees’ match activities and factors affecting these activities were also examined. Physical performances were related in part to the physical performances of the players; whilst the distances covered during the first half were related to second half coverage. 3) Ageing and performance. The effect of ageing upon referees’ fitness levels and physical match performances was addressed. Regression analysis revealed a trend towards an agerelated reduction in physical fitness, as determined by the referees’ fitness tests. Match activity analysis demonstrated a clear age-related decline in physical match performance, although this decline did not impair the referees’ ability to keep up with play. 4) Fitness and match performance. The validity of the FIFA referees’ fitness tests was examined. Interval test HR load was significantly correlated to the referees’ match coverage, both total distance and high intensity running. Sprint test scores also demonstrated a significant relationship with the referees’ match sprinting distances. However, given the strength of the relationships only the sprint test showed appropriate construct validity for the physical assessment of soccer referees.

Sammanfattning Syfte och frågeställningar Syftet med studien var att jämföra ett damallsvenskt lag med det svenska damlandslaget i total belastning, total distans, högintensiva löpningar (HL), mycket högintensiva löpningar (MHL) samt sprints (S). Frågeställningarna var följande: Skiljer sig total belastning och total distans mellan de två lagen? Finns det skillnader i total belastning och total distans mellan olika positioner? Finns det skillnader i HL, MHL samt S i antal genomförda och sträcka mellan lagen och mellan olika positioner? Metod Studien genomfördes på åtta kvinnliga fotbollsspelare (ålder 27±1,8, längd 168±4,7, vikt 65±4,7). Dessa representerar ett damallsvenskt lag som spelade i övre delen av tabellen under år 2017. För att genomföra mätningen användes ett GPS-system (MinimaxX S4). Mätningen genomfördes under match vilken spelades på naturgräs. Vidare har värden från landslagets 12 spelare inhämtats från SvFF (ålder 28±4,5, längd 174±5, vikt 64±4,2). Resultat Resultatet visar att klubblagets totala belastning var 186 större än landslagets. Ingen signifikant skillnad fanns mellan de två lagen. Klubblagets mittfältare belastades 19 % mer än landslagets. Vidare belastades klubblagets anfallare 33 % mer än landslagets medan backarna i klubblaget belastades med 7 % mer än landslagets. Klubblaget sprang 15 % längre än landslaget. Ingen signifikans fanns mellan lagen. Klubblagets totala distans visar att spelarna sprang längre än landslaget på alla positioner. Resultatet visade vidare att det inte fanns någon signifikans mellan lagen för HL, MHL och S. Klubblaget sprang 1 % fler antal meter HL och 13 % fler antal meter MHL än landslaget. Landslaget sprang även 3 % fler antal meter S än klubblaget. Den procentuella skillnaden mellan lagen var 19 % fler antal genomförda HL och 9 % fler antal genomförda MHL samt 17 % fler antal S än klubblaget. Landslaget genomförde fler antal HL, MHL och S på samtliga positioner. Slutsats Studien visar att det inte finns någon signifikant skillnad mellan grupperna. Dock genomförde landslaget fler S i antal och sträcka vilket överensstämmer med tidigare studier som visar att lag som spelar på högre nivå genomför fler högintensiva aktioner under en match. Studiens omfång bör utökas för att vidare undersöka dessa variabler. / Abstract Aim The aim of this study was to compare a Swedish top league soccer team to the Swedish national team during a competitive game. Comparisons included measurements in player load, total distance covered, high-speed running (HL), very high-speed running (MHL) and sprint (S). The research questions were: Is there a difference in player load and total distance covered between the teams? Is there a difference in player load and total distance covered between different playing positions? Is there a difference in HL, MHL and S in performed and meters covered between different positions and between the two teams?     Method The number of participants were eight female soccer players (age 27±1,8, length 168±4,7, weight 65±4,7). They played in the top of the league during the season of 2017. A GPS system (MinimaxX S4) was used to collect data. The game was played on nature grass in the last round of the season. The National team values were supplied by SVFF where 12 players participated (age 28±4,5, length 174±5, weight 64±4,2). Results The Swedish league team had 186 higher player load than the National team where no significant difference was found. Furthermore, the Swedish league team’s midfielders were loaded 19 % more than the national team’s. The Swedish league attackers were loaded 33 % more than the national team’s. The difference in player load between the defenders was 7 % higher for the Swedish league team’s. The Swedish league team covered 15 % more meters in total distance where no significant difference was seen. All players in the Swedish league team covered the longest distance. There were no significant difference between number of performed and meters covered in HL, MHL and S. The Swedish league team covered 1 % more meters HL and 13 % more meters MHL than the National team. The National team covered 3 % more meter S than the Swedish league team. The National team performed 19 % more HL and 9 % more MHL than the Swedish league team. In total, the National team performed more HL, MHL and S than the Swedish league team.      Conclusion No significant difference was found between the two teams. Although, the National team covered higher number of S performed and meters which is in accordance to previous surveys which shows more high-speed actions is performed in higher competition levels during a game. The survey should be expanded to further examine the demands for women’s soccer. / <p>Ämneslärarprogrammet, Specialidrott</p>