High- tech testing for women’s soccer
Researchers track distance, speed and size of top female players
What can Canadians expect to see at the Women’s World Cup of soccer taking place across Canada from June 6 to July 5?
Today’s female soccer players are fitter, faster, more skilled and have more international experience than was on display during the last World Cup four years ago.
They cover about 10 kilometres over the course of a match, which is comparable to the 10 to 12 kilometres elite men travel during a game.
The main difference between genders is the distance travelled during high- intensity runs. Men’s greater speed and power allow them to cover more distance over the same amount of time.
GPS data indicate soccer players spend the majority of the game walking and jogging. And while most of the statistics have been obtained from male professional ranks, more attention is starting to be paid to the women’s game.
An Australian research team monitored movements of 15 players on the Australian women’s team in 13 international games.
They reported that a quarter of the distance covered during a match is spent running, with just 3.5 per cent spent sprinting.
Cesar Meylan, an exercise physiologist who works full time with the Canadian women’s team, agrees with the Australian data, but warns tracking has its limitations.
Time spent walking, running and sprinting varies considerably based on team tactics, the score, the opponent and stage of the game. And it also depends on the player’s position.
The Canadian women’s team has used GPS tracking for several years, in an effort to find out the physical demands of the women’s game. The more the staff know about their team, the better they can design training and tactics to maximize results.
“I have a forward who will cover about 9.5 to 10 kilometres a game,” said Meylan. “She’ll spend up to 600 metres ( a game) sprinting above 20 kilometres per hour.”
It’s typical for strikers and midfielders to spend more time running at high speeds than the defensive squad, who dial up the pace only about half the time of their quicker teammates.
Midfielders predictably accumulate the most mileage: about 10.2 kilometres per game, according to the Australian data. Strikers aren’t far behind, logging 9.4 kilometres.
But Meylan doesn’t offer position-specific training during on- field workouts. Instead, gym workouts tend to reflect the specific roles players have on the field.
Another important statistical element of play is the variation in field coverage and intensity over the course of a 90- minute match.
Trying to determine where fatigue sets in helps the training staff design workouts to improve overall fitness and stamina.
The Australian research team evaluated the game in 15- minute increments, noting not just the distance covered but also the pace at which the game was played.
Not surprisingly, the opening 15 minutes resulted in the most field coverage, with players averaging about 1.7 kilometres.
This compares to the final 15 minutes when players logged 1.4 kilometres. Trackers noted an almost five per cent decrease in distance covered in the second half.
The pace also slowed with less time spent sprinting and running and more time spent walking. And though there seems to be a small rally in intensity right after halftime, the level never again matches the opening 15 minutes.
Meylan says there is no one prototypical body type for female soccer players, though he suggests each new crop is taller and stronger than their predecessors.
Yet according to the most up- todate data, elite players are between 20 and 27 years of age, range from 5- foot- 3 to 5- foot- 6 in height, and weigh 126 to 143 pounds, which makes them shorter and lighter than a lot of female team sport athletes.
At perhaps the greatest physiological disadvantage is the goalkeeper who guards the same size net as men. The shorter stature of female keepers makes it tougher for them to reach the corners, as compared to their taller, more powerful male counterparts.
“Goalkeepers need to be at least 5- foot- 9,” said Meylan.
Why is all this information important? Getting a realistic picture of the women’s game is key to making it better. It also allows Canadian soccer fans to understand that the game is just as beautiful when played by women.
I have a forward who will cover about 9.5 to 10 kilometres a game. She’ll spend up to 600 metres ( a game) sprinting above 20 kilometres per hour.