Key result
Expanding soccer substitutions beyond five is proposed to curb match injury rates ~10-fold higher than training.
Why the study?
Resuming soccer seasons after COVID-19 interruptions created a condensed schedule with increased risk of accumulated player fatigue and injuries, prompting questions about whether FIFA's temporary rule change from three to five substitutions in elite games is sufficient.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Five substitutions may inadequately mitigate fatigue in congested schedules; leaves open whether unlimited substitutions reduce injury rates.
Each sport has its specific rules, which determine what is allowed (or not) impacting directly on the sport demands. Studies involving physiological and time-motion measurements have shown that soccer is a highly demanding sport. The new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a world health crisis. Soccer seasons were interrupted worldwide to avoid spreading the virus. Leagues resumed the season (no fans at the arenas) after several weeks of interruption, causing overlay of schedule. This overlay (e.g., games every Sunday and Wednesday) will cause accumulated fatigue on players, raising the risk of injuries. Considering this condensed calendar, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has changed (temporarily) up to five substitutions during elite games (instead of three as the regular rule allows). Considering the already published scientific evidence, clearly, the change in the soccer substitution rule due to COVID-19 is insufficient. Implementing unlimited substitutions may benefit soccer players' health, coaches’ jobs, more entertainment for fans and sponsors (e.g., keeping intensity during all game, including on the second half) and eventually prolonging the useful life of the players. A real game-changer!
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Mota et al. (2021) conducted an editorial in Match-induced fatigue and injury risk in elite soccer players during COVID-19 congested schedules. Increased soccer match substitutions (5 or more substitutions per match) vs. Regular rule of up to 3 substitutions per match was evaluated. Increasing allowed soccer substitutions beyond five per match is proposed to mitigate player fatigue and high injury rates (~10 times higher in matches than training) during congested schedules.
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