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Applied Physiology of Female Soccer: An Update

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An Erratum to this article was published on 02 July 2014

Abstract

The popularity and professionalism of female soccer has increased markedly in recent years, with elite players now employed on either a professional or semi-professional basis. The previous review of the physiological demands of female soccer was undertaken two decades ago when the sport was in its relative infancy. Increased research coupled with greater training and competition demands warrants an updated review to consider the effect on physical performance and injury patterns. The physical demands of match-play along with the influence of factors such as the standard of competition, playing position and fatigue have been explored. Total distance covered for elite female players is approximately 10 km, with 1.7 km completed at high-speed (>18 km·h−1). Elite players complete 28 % more high-speed running and 24 % more sprinting than moderate-level players. Decrements in high-speed running distance have been reported between and within halves, which may indicate an inability to maintain high-intensity activity. Although the physical capacity of female players is the most thoroughly researched area, comparisons are difficult due to differing protocols. Elite players exhibit maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) values of 49.4–57.6 mL·kg−1·min−1, Yo Yo Intermittent Endurance test level 2 (YYIE2) scores of 1,774 ± 532 m [mean ± standard deviation (SD)] and 20 m sprint times of 3.17 ± 0.03 s (mean ± SD). Reasons for the increased prevalence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in females (2–6 times greater than males) are discussed, with anatomical, biomechanical loading and neuromuscular activation differences being cited in the literature. This review presents an in-depth contemporary examination of the applied physiology of the female soccer player.

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Acknowledgments

No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this review. The authors have no potential conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The English Football Association, St. George’s Park, Burton Upon Trent, UK

    Naomi Datson & Tracy Lewis

  2. Research Institute of Sport Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK

    Naomi Datson, Andrew Hulton, Barry Drust & Warren Gregson

  3. The Swedish Football Association, Stockholm, Sweden

    Helena Andersson

  4. School of Social Sciences and Law, Teesside University, Teesside, Middlesbrough, UK

    Matthew Weston

  5. ASPIRE, Academy for Sports Excellence, Doha, Qatar

    Warren Gregson

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  1. Naomi Datson
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  2. Andrew Hulton
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  4. Tracy Lewis
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  6. Barry Drust
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Correspondence to Naomi Datson.

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Datson, N., Hulton, A., Andersson, H. et al. Applied Physiology of Female Soccer: An Update. Sports Med 44, 1225–1240 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0199-1

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