Relationship between physical performance and match load and effects of two consecutive matches in cerebral palsy footballers

Abstract

The aims of the present study were to analyse the relationship between the physical performance and the match load in cerebral palsy (CP) football players, and to analyse the possible impact of the Spanish League format (playing two matches on two consecutive days) on the players' match load. Data for a Spanish CP football team (n=10; age: 31.0 ± 8.9 years; weight: 66.1 ± 8.6 kg; height: 172.2 ± 7.8 cm; BMI: 22.5 ± 2.9 kg·m-2) included anthropometric (weight, height and BMI), physical performance (CMJ, 5, 10 y 20-m sprint y MAT) and match load variables (distance covered, accelerations and decelerations, heart rate, speed and player load) from two official matches. The players' physical performance, but not their anthropometrical measurements, correlated to the match load variables (r = 0.76-0.95; p = 0.04-0.01), except for accelerations, decelerations and heart rate-related variables (p >.05). Players' match load data were not statistically different between matches. The results suggest that players' physical performance influences the match load variables, and these players' load variables in competition do not seem to be affected by the fact of playing two matches on two consecutive days. The way in which the players' physical performance and fatigue may affect the match load variables needs more research in CP football.