(58) A COMPARISON BETWEEN ARBITRARY AND INDIVIDUALIZED THRESHOLDS FOR HIGH-SPEED DISTANCE IN DIVISION 1 FEMALE SOCCER PLAYERS

Purpose: To examine the differences in high-speed distance (HSD) thresholds and total HSD using arbitrary and individualized thresholds in NCAA Division I female soccer players. Methods: 34 NCAA Division I female soccer players (age = 20.0 ± 1.2 years, body mass = 63.1 ± 7.0 kg, height = 166.8 ± 5.9 cm), including 11 defenders, 9 midfielders, and 14 forwards participated in this study. Each player was monitored during training sessions and matches using global positional system (GPS) units sampling at 10 Hz across a 13-week competitive season which included a maximum of 50 training sessions and 18 matches, and a variable number of running activities for each player. The total HSD covered by each player during the training and competition activities was calculated based on the arbitrary thresholds from the manufacturer (22.4 mph / 36.0 kph for maximal sprint speed and >12mph / 19kph for HSD). In addition, individualized thresholds for high-speed running for each player were determined based on their maximal sprint speed, which was set as the highest speed reached in any training session or match. The individualized HSD was then calculated as the sum of the HSD that was >75% maximal sprint speed. Paired samples t-tests were used to examine the differences in arbitrary and individualized HSD thresholds and total HSD. In addition, the magnitude of the differences in HSD thresholds and total HSD were determined by calculating Hedge’s g effect sizes. Results: Descriptive performance data are displayed in Table 1. The individualized HSD threshold was significantly higher than the arbitrary HSD threshold (p < 0.001, g = 2.45). In contrast, the arbitrary threshold total HSD covered during the competitive season was significantly higher than the individualized threshold HSD (p < 0.001, g = 1.73). Conclusions: There were large, practically meaningful differences in HSD threshold and total HSD between the arbitrary and individualized methods. In addition, there was a large variation in total HSD based on the number of activities each player performed as well as different positional demands. Practical Applications: Establishing player-specific thresholds for HSD may be beneficial for accurately monitoring external load on an individual basis, while the use of arbitrary thresholds may allow for team-wide and positional comparisons. There is currently no standardized method for determining speed thresholds in elite soccer, leading to inconsistent workload monitoring. Establishing a population-specific standard would improve accuracy, training prescription, and player comparisons across teams and leagues. Acknowledgements: None