@misc{10481/106078,
year = {2025},
month = {6},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/106078},
abstract = {The assessment of player well-being through questionnaires is vital for managing training
and match demands in soccer, aiming to mitigate injury and overtraining risks. This
study investigates the impact of Four-Match Congestion on the well-being of under-16
male soccer players. An observational study design was implemented, focusing on the
well-being of eighteen male soccer players throughout a championship. Players were
monitored daily for indicators such as muscle soreness, stress levels, mood, fatigue, sleep
quality, and an overall well-being index. Data collection was conducted by research team
staff without interfering with established training plans. Preliminary findings indicate
significant fluctuations in well-being indicators throughout the championship, with lower
well-being scores correlating with higher match intensity. Specifically, it was indicated
that the athletes’ fatigue increased, while their stress levels gradually decreased (p < 0.05).
Furthermore, muscle soreness, mood, and sleep quality metrics fluctuated throughout the
study, with significant differences found between matches 1 and 3. These results highlight
the importance of monitoring well-being to inform coaches about necessary adjustments in
training loads during congested match schedules. Understanding the relationship between
match demands and player well-being can lead to effective recovery strategies, enhancing
performance and reducing injury risks. Future research should explore the long-term
impacts of well-being monitoring and its integration into training regimens to optimize
athlete management in competitive settings.},
organization = {Unite of Excellence of the University Campus of Melilla (University of Granada, Spain). Reference: UCE-PP2024-02},
publisher = {MDPI},
keywords = {Monitoring},
keywords = {Training},
keywords = {Recovery},
keywords = {Performance},
keywords = {Fixture congestion},
title = {Impact of Four-Match Congestion on the Well-Being of Under-16 Male Soccer Players},
doi = {10.3390/sports13070209},
author = {González-Fernández, Francisco Tomás and Martínez-Aranda, Luis Manuel and Sanz-Matesanz, Manuel and Quiñones-Rodríguez, Yarisel and Castillo-Rodríguez, Alfonso},
}