SPEED ENDURANCE TRAINING IN ELITE YOUTH SOCCER PLAYERS JACK D ADE A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirement of Liverpool John Moores University for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy July 2019 ABSTRACT The physical demands of soccer match play have significantly increased in recent years. As such, training methods must evolve to ensure players are able to cope with these demands over the course of a season. Speed endurance training is recommended to improve physical performance in elite soccer players, however scientific investigations into different protocols and modalities are sparse. The aim of Study 1 was to determine the exposure to speed endurance training over a season relative to all other conditioning drills. Secondary data was quantified over a 42-week season in an elite youth soccer team using five different conditioning drill categorisations. Speed endurance maintenance and extensive endurance where the most prominent conditioning drills whilst speed endurance production was the least frequent. Nonetheless, the relative distribution of running drills and small-sided games were almost equal for both speed endurance protocols. An investigation into different speed endurance modes and protocols in Study 2 revealed running drills elicit greater heart rate, blood lactate concentration and subjective ratings of perceived exertion than respective small- sided games. Players covered less total distance and high-intensity running distance in the small-sided games, but greater high-intensity acceleration/deceleration distance than in the respective running drills. Additionally, the speed endurance production drills produced greater blood lactate concentrations and high speed running demands than the respective maintenance protocols. These findings suggest speed endurance small-sided games could be used to train the anaerobic energy system, however a greater physiological response may be possible with soccer drills that expose players to greater high speed running demands. The aim of study 3 was to quantify movement patterns, technical skills and tactical actions associated with high speed running efforts during elite match play to provide information for position-specific speed endurance drills. Twenty individual English Premier 2 League players high-intensity running profiles were observed multiple times using a computerised tracking system. Data was coded using a novel ‘High-intensity Movement Programme’ and revealed position-specific trends in and out of possession. This investigation was the first study to contextualise why playing positions perform high- intensity running efforts rather than simply reporting distances covered. In possession, wide midfielders executed more tricks post effort than centre backs and central midfielders whilst fullbacks and wide midfielders performed more crosses post effort than other positions. Out of possession, forwards completed more efforts closing down the opposition but less efforts tracking opposition runners than other positions. Distinct movement patterns were also evident out of possession with forwards performing more arc runs before efforts compared to centre backs, fullbacks and wide midfielders, however centre backs completed more 0-90° turns compared to fullbacks, central and wide midfielders. The data from Study 3 was used to design five individual position-specific speed endurance drills with the aim of exposing players to high speed running and the associated technical and tactical actions performed during a match. An investigation into the position- specific speed endurance drills in Study 4 revealed players covered greater distances across all speed thresholds attaining greater peak and average running speeds during the speed endurance production protocol compared to the maintenance drill. Mean and peak heart rate responses were greater in the maintenance protocol whilst blood lactate concentrations were higher following the production protocol. Minimal differences in neuromuscular function and ratings of perceived recovery were evident following either protocol up to 24 h post drill. The findings suggest position-specific speed endurance production drills should be prescribed to achieve a greater anaerobic stimulus and expose players to high running speeds whilst the maintenance protocol should be administered when a greater cardiovascular load is desirable with a concomitant reduction in high speed running. 3 This research programme provides novel information comparing the physiological response and physical demands of various speed endurance drills in soccer. These studies were the first to report seasonal speed endurance practice and detail generic and position- specific speed endurance soccer drills based on contextualised match data. It is hoped the data from this research project can help applied staff understand the most appropriate speed endurance practices for elite youth players. 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The process of completing a part-time PhD whilst working full-time in elite soccer and starting a family has been extremely challenging but unbelievably rewarding. I believe the skills I have developed whilst undertaking this research project have enabled me to progress my professional career and achieve a more balanced outlook on life. It would have been impossible to complete this Journey without the help and support of numerous people. Dr Paul Bradley. Thanks for your enduring help and support throughout this process. I could not have wished for a better Director of studies. Your enthusiasm for my research project was evident from our first meeting and remained constant throughout. I have thoroughly enJoyed working together. I am grateful for your direct approach and encouragement but also your patience and understanding of my other commitments. Professor Barry Drust. Your experience in the applied setting and academia has been invaluable and I am extremely grateful for your supervision. I appreciate your wisdom and ability to challenge my thinking whilst urging me to keep things in perspective by considering the ‘bigger picture’ throughout the PhD Journey. Mr Bill Sheldon and Dr David Archer. Thanks for your support and guidance throughout the early stages of my PhD at the University of Sunderland. I always felt reassured and motivated following our meetings and I am very grateful for the belief you had in me. Dr Paul Catterson, Joe Joyce (NUFC); Dr Andy Massey, Alex Inglethorpe (LFC). I would like to thank you all for agreeing to fund the research project and your commitment to my continued professional development. Joe I cannot thank you enough for allowing me time during the coaching programme to collect data on my drills. Paul I am truly appreciative of 5 you granting me access to the first team analysis data. Likewise, Alex I am enormously grateful for your support in my final study allowing access to the academy facility. Jamie Harley, JoHn Fitzpatrick, Craig Musham, RacHel DaWe, Oliver Morgan, Adam Rowan, Craig Burnett, David RobshaW, Josh Rice, Adam Sullivan, Conall Murtagh, Tom King, Jordan Fairclough, Mohd Firdaus Maasar. The collection of physiological and physical data associated to soccer drills performed by numerous players is a difficult task that requires high levels of organisation and concentration. It would not have been possible without your help and I want to thank you all for your selfless contribution. Mum, Dad. Who would have thought I would still be studying!!! It has been difficult at times, but your work ethic installed in me and Rob has helped me through it. I am eternally grateful for your love and support throughout my life and I look forward to seeing a lot more of you! x Karen, Trevor. You have been an amazing support to Rachel and me during this time entertaining and looking after the children. You have allowed me the opportunity to complete my studies which I hope will benefit your daughter and grandchildren in the future. Thank you, x Rachel, Isaac and Henry. I dedicate this work to you. It has consumed much of my time and even more of my thoughts. I am proud to have completed this work and could not have done it without your love. Rachel your faith in me throughout this process has been resolute. The support you give me as a wife and the love and dedication you express as a mother to our children has enabled me to complete this work. I cannot wait to spend more time with you all! xxx 6 PUBLICATIONS Peer RevieWed First Author Publications from this series of Investigations 1. Ade. J.D., Fitzpatrick, J., & Bradley, P. S. (2016). High-intensity efforts in elite soccer matches and associated movement patterns, technical skills and tactical actions. Information for position-specific training drills. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(24), 2205- 2214. 2. Ade J.D., Harley J.A., & Bradley P.S. (2014). Physiological response, time–motion characteristics, and reproducibility of various speed-endurance drills in elite youth soccer players: Small-sided games versus generic running. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 9(3), 471-479. 3. Ade, J.D., Drust, B., Morgan, O., & Bradley P.S. (2019). Physiological characteristics and acute fatigue associated with position-specific speed endurance soccer drills: production vs maintenance training. In Review. Conference Communications from this series of Investigation 1. Ade J.D., Harley J.A., & Bradley P.S. (2013). Physiological response, time–motion characteristics, and reproducibility of various speed-endurance drills in elite youth soccer players: