WHICH TESTS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH MATCH PERFORMANCE?

To answer the title question one needs to measure a physical parameter, let say aerobic fitness, and match performance for the same players in a period of 7-10 days. Match performance can be evaluated either with the performance analysis systems or with GPS devices. Multi-camera systems are more expensive whereas GPS are more available.

Aerobic fitness is usually evaluated in the lab or in the field. The most popular tests in the field are: Yo-Yo intermittent recovery, multistage shuttle run and the Hoff test. In the first two, aerobic fitness is evaluated with repeated 20-m shuttle runs whereas in the latter, the player runs in a larger space with the ball.

The association between these tests and the match performance in elite young players is shown below. The main conclusions are

• Yo-Yo intermittent recovery run 1 (IR1) and multistage shuttle run test (MSRT) are both associated with distance covered at high intensity during the game
• Distance covered in the multistage shuttle run test is positively related with total distance covered during the match
• Hoff test IS NOT associated with total distance and distance covered at high intensity during the match

Table. Association between different tests and match performance.

Match activity	Yo-Yo IR1	MSRT	Hoff
Total distance	Very weak	Moderate	Very weak
High intensity distance	Moderate	Moderate	Very weak
Sprinting	Strong	Strong	Moderate

 Source: Castagna et al., 2010.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

Both Yo-Yo intermittent run 1 and multistage shuttle run tests can be used for the evaluation of aerobic fitness in young players.

For more reading

Castagna et al. J Strength & Cond Res 24:3227-3233, 2010

Nassis et al. J Strength & Cond Res 24:2693-2697, 2010