The Physiological and Perceptual Responses to Concurrent Training in Soccer Players

This thesis was designed to enhance our understanding of the acute responses to small-sided games (SSG) and their integration into a concurrent training program along with resistance training (RT) in soccer. The first study characterised the neuromuscular, biochemical, endocrine, and perceptual responses to SSG training over 24-hours. The SSG (4vs4+goalkeepers; 6x7-min; 2-min inter-set recovery) induced immediate fatigue which persisted until the following morning. However, neuromuscular function presented a bimodal recovery pattern, whereby there was a temporary recovery at 2 hours post. Therefore, it was determined that the performance of a secondary training session at 2 hours post may not be compromised. The second study compared the responses to a day consisting of SSG training (single), versus a day consisting of SSG plus RT 2 hours later (double). The double training session resulted in further small impairments in neuromuscular, perceptual, and endocrine markers at 24 hours post training. The third study manipulated the order of SSG and RT and compared the performance of training and the 24-hour responses. This study found that whilst there were significant within-day differences in neuromuscular and endocrine markers, there were no differences at 24 hours post training. Furthermore, the order of SSG and RT did not affect the performance of SSG, but perceived exertion during RT was higher when performed after SSG training. This thesis provides a series of novel findings that enhance our understanding of the responses to SSG, the effects of performing multiple daily training sessions, and the effects of training order in soccer.