Kicking velocity and effect on match performance when using a smaller, lighter ball in women's football

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

  • Thomas B. Andersen
  • Peter Krustrup
  • Mads Bendiksen
  • Christina Øyangen Ørntoft
  • Morten Bredsgaard Randers
  • Svein Arne Pettersen

The present study evaluated the effect of a smaller, lighter ball on kicking speed and technical-tactical and physical match performance in high-level adult female footballers. In the laboratory test setting, the peak ball velocity was 6% higher with the new ball (NB) than the standard ball (SB) (26.5±0.5 vs. 25.1±0.5 m·s(-1), p<0.05). However, during match-play, no differences were observed in mean heart rate (87±5 vs. 87±5%HRmax; p>0.05), blood lactate (90 min: 4.7±1.7 and 4.0±1.7 mmol·l(-1); p>0.05), total distance covered (10.6±0.9 and 10.4±0.8 km; p>0.05), intense running (>16 km/h) (2.08±0.42 and 1.94±0.38 km; p>0.05) and match-induced decrement in Yo-Yo IR1 performance (28 vs. 31%, respectively, p<0.05) using NB compared to SB. Likewise, no difference was observed in the number of short, medium-range or long passes during matches played with the 2 ball types, and there was no difference in passing success rate (NB: 68±1% and SB: 68±1%, p>0.05). In conclusion, high-level adult female footballers had a higher kicking speed when using a smaller, lighter ball, but no differences were observed during match-play with the 2 ball types in respect of technical-tactical and physical match performance. The physical loading was high for the players when playing with both ball types.

Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Sports Medicine
Volume37
Issue number12
Pages (from-to)966-972
Number of pages7
ISSN0172-4622
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

    Research areas

  • Faculty of Science - Ball velocity, Heart rate, Lactate, Locomotor activities, Passes, Success rate

ID: 164815723