Heart Rate Distribution during Training and a Domestic League Game in Swedish Elite Female Soccer Players

Background: Soccer is a complex sport with high cardiovascular demands. Preparation for the demands of competition often involves game-simulation practice. This is supposed to improve the physiological adaptions. The main purpose of this study was to compare heart rate (HR) distribution among elite female soccer players during in-season training sessions and a game. Methods: Fifteen players were observed during three regular training sessions, and at a domestic league game using Polar Team2 HR monitors. HR was categorized into HR zones to compare intensities of each activity observed. Results: HR values were significantly higher during the game (HR mean: 168±9 beats per minute (bpm), HRpeak: 189±8 bpm) than during training (HRmean: 134±11 bpm, HRpeak: 183±9 bpm, p<0.001). Players spent 55% of the game and 11% of the total training time at high intensity (HR above 90% of HRpeak, p<0.001).HRmean and HRpeak were significantly higher in the first half compared with the second half of the game (p<0.05). Conclusion: The present study demonstrates higher HR values and longer duration at high intensity during game play in comparison with training, which indicates higher demands on the players’ internal load during the game. Thus, the results suggest the need to include high intensity exercise sessions during training.