1. SISA Soccer Protocol SHMD 349 21/08/2012 1

2. SISA S ports I nformation & S cience A gency SISA SISA is a project of the South African Sports Commission. Focuses on creating a scientific and technological base for sport in South Africa. The purpose of this manual is to assist testing personnel in conducting standardized physical evaluations of elite athletes. 2

3. Introduction Soccer requires players to: – Exercise repetitively at high intensities, – using large muscle groups, – for periods of several seconds to several minutes for the duration of a game (90 min). Total distance covered during a single match: – 10-11 km – moderate-intensity running for top league players. 3

4. Introduction Approximately 10% of total distance is being covered: – short (4-5 sec) – high intensity bursts – with rest periods of ~30 sec Players may: – start from a stationary position 48-70 times during a game, – and have to accelerate 40-62 times per match. 4

5. Introduction Higher the quality of the team: = greater running distance. = greater intensity and speed of a game. = superior aerobic & anaerobic power. Main difference between players of different quality is not necessarily the total distance covered during a game, but the overall distance at speed during a match. 5

6. Introduction Research shows that soccer players exercise at close to their maximal HR for sustained periods throughout a game. Often spending over two-thirds of an entire match at 85% of maximum HR. Blood & muscle lactate concentrations are also significantly elevated throughout a game (demonstrates important role of anaerobic metabolism in soccer). 6

7. Introduction As soccer has evolved through the years, new strategies and tactics place increasing demands on a better all round fitness of players. Professional players today possess a high maximal aerobic power, an above average anaerobic power, good muscle buffering capacity and muscle strength, and good flexibility when compared to players of lower ability. Sports-specific, scientific testing protocols for soccer will, therefore, have to include multiple tests to accurately assess the physiological status of a player. 7

8. TEST PROTOCOLS 1.AEROBIC ASSESSMENT 1.1 Multistage shuttle run 1.2 Repeated sprint test 2. ANAEROBIC ASSESSMENT 2.1 Anaerobic treadmill test 2.2 Vertical jump (Explosive Power) 3. SPEED 3.1 Maximum running speed and acceleration (30m sprint). 8

9. TEST PROTOCOLS 4. AGILITY 4.1 Illinois Agility Test. 5. MUSCULAR STRENGTH ASSESSMENT 5.1 Incline leg press (1RM). 5.2 Parallel squat (1RM). 6. MUSCULAR ENDURANCE 6.1 & 6.2 Incline leg press and parallel squat. 6.3 Sit-ups. 9

10. TEST PROTOCOLS 7. Anthropometry:  is the process of measuring physical dimensions of the human body.  These measurements are then used to either describe size and proportions, or to indirectly estimate an athlete's body composition.  Anthropometry can be used in sports science for evaluating athletes' size, shape, body proportions, body composition and degree of asymmetry between the dominant and non-dominant limbs. 10

11. ANTHROPOMETRY Measurements need to be accurate and performed strictly according to specified test protocols. Body mass. Stature. Fat percentage: 7 site - Biceps, triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, abdominal, calf, thigh. 11

12. GIRTH MEASUREMENTS Relaxed arm. Contracted arm. Calf. Chest. Sub-gluteal. Mid-thigh. Knee. Abdominal. Forearm. Wrist. Ankle. Bitrochanteric. 12 DIAMETER MEASUREMENTS. Humerus. Femur. Biacromial. Transverse chest. Anterior-posterior chest. Bi-iliac.

13. TEST PROTOCOLS 8. FLEXIBILITY 9.1. Modified sit and reach test. 9.2. Straight leg hamstring test (hip flexion). 9.3. Modified thomas test. 9.4. Shoulder and wrist elevation test. 9.5. Ankle plantar & dorsi flexion. 9.6. Shoulder external and internal rotation. 13

14. Revision Questions 1.Discuss the fitness demands required of a player during a soccer match. 6 2.How would the ‘quality of fitness’ differ between a top-level player, and a lower league player? 5 3.As soccer has evolved over the years, the fitness demands of a soccer player has increased. How have these demands changed and why? 5 4.Why is it important to have a standardized test protocol for specific sports? 3 5.Name the components of fitness tested in the SISA soccer protocol. 8 14