Find in Library

This study aimed to describe the acceleration–speed (AS) profile of soccer players during competition and to analyse their seasonal changes and inter-player differences. The AS profile values (theoretical maximum acceleration (A₀) and speed (S₀)) of 14 elite soccer players were studied in 18 matches, which were divided into five season periods. The main findings showed the A₀ (6.20 ± 0.51 m/s²) and S₀ (9.18 ± 0.58 m/s) average team season values. Significant individual changes (<i>p</i> < 0.05 and effect size (Eta-squared, η²) > 0.5) were confirmed for A₀ (Players 4 and 8) and S₀ (Players 6, 8 and 11). Additionally, standard deviations (SD±) confirmed small (±0.20–0.60) to moderate (±0.60–1.20) seasonal variations for most players in A₀ (SD range: ±0.22 to ±0.69 m/s²) and S₀ (SD range: ±0.27 to ±0.90 m/s). SD showed small to moderate inter-player differences for each period for A₀ (SD range: ±0.39 to ±0.61 m/s²) and S₀ (SD range: ±0.53 to ±0.61 m/s). In summary, coaches are recommended to assess the AS profile to diagnose potential player seasonal changes in sprinting performance, especially for A₀, which seems to be more sensitive to variations than S₀.