Physical Activity Levels of Adolescent Female Football Players in Training and Match Play: Is it Enough for an Active Lifestyle?

Football is the most popular sport among adolescents, yet many do not achieve the World Health Organization's recommended 60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily. This study investigated whether regular football practice helps meet this recommendation by assessing physical activity through accelerometry in 74 female players from a Spanish football academy (Senior Team, Reserves Team, U16 and U13). A second goal was to assess coaches and players perceptions and coaches' interpersonal style. Given the variation in physical demands by playing position, MVPA data were also analysed by player role. Average MVPA minutes per training session and match, with over 60 min played, were: Senior Team: 48.72 ± 3.63 and 57.19 ± 17.51; Reserves Team: 41.87 ± 5.38 and 48.35 ± 13.18; U16: 40.62 ± 5.67 and 44.51 ± 15.98; U13: 39.31 ± 3.04 and 44.29 ± 12.21. Players consistently rated themselves as 'very well recovered' in Total Quality Recovery (TQR) before and after sessions/matches. Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) values for players and Rate of Intended Exertion (RIE) values for coaches were similar during training (coaches: 12.39 ± 0.27, players: 12.66 ± 0.94) but higher for coaches during matches (coaches: 15.25 ± 2.91, players: 13.62 ± 1.98). Results suggest that regular football practice may help adolescent female players meet MVPA recommendations, contributing to an active lifestyle and potential health benefits.