It’s that time of year again where the managers at the top premier league clubs resent the hectic fixture list that’s thrown at them. Less time to prepare and to recover and as a result, a risk of a reduction in the quality of performance. However, is there also an added risk to the player’s well being? With a forced significant change in their pre and post match routines, are they at higher risk of injury?
If we take a look at one of those clubs affected in this manner, West Ham (European Champions and Premier League heavyweights), their fixture list over the next month consists of 10 games. A mix of league, Carabao cup, FA Cup and Europa League games make for an incredibly intense festive period. As a club that doesn’t have the same luxury, as say Man City, when it comes to squad size, and therefore the ability to rotate playing staff, there is a good chance you will see a very similar starting 11 in most of these games. The intensity of each of these games, the colder weather, the travel up and down the country and into Europe are all factors that can impact how a player feels and therefore performs on the pitch.
Julian, Page and Harper, 1, (2020) conducted a systematic review on the effects of fixture congestion on performance during male professional football matches and found that performance variables such as low and moderate intensity distances covered during the 90 mins reduces. They also suggest a possible reduction in tactical performance, with decreased synchronisation between the players.
Page et. al, 2, (2022) have then gone on to take a look at a direct correlation between fixture congestion and injury in professional male soccer. They state that overall injury risk is increased during matches completed within fixture-congested periods. This is further supported by findings from a substantial European competition review which shows an increase in hamstring and quadricep muscular injuries during periods of fixture congestion. 3. (Bengtsson et. al 2014)
This leads to a very valid point of discussion, that these findings could help provide a source of scientific evidence for governing bodies to elicit change to support player welfare and develop a more sustainable match calendar that promotes a player’s career longevity.
In the meantime however, it will continue to be a period of time where coaching and medical staff will have to regularly review and adapt their training, pre and post match plans in order to keep injury risk at a minimum and performance levels as high as possible. Players may be required to take on a role of being more active in their own recovery away from the training ground. Nutrition plans being altered to suit the increased regularity of match days. The use of alternative therapies such as heat, ice and compression when at home and ensuring plenty of sleep and rest when the opportunity arises.
Reference List
- Julian, R., Page, R.M. and Harper, L.D. (2020). The Effect of Fixture Congestion on Performance During Professional Male Soccer Match-Play: A Systematic Critical Review with Meta-Analysis. Sports Medicine, 51. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-020-01359-9.
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Page, R.M., Field, A., Langley, B., Harper, L.D. and Julian, R. (2022). The Effects of Fixture Congestion on Injury in Professional Male Soccer: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-022-01799-5.
- Bengtsson, H., Ekstrand, J., Waldén, M. and Hägglund, M. (2014). MUSCLE INJURY RATES IN PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL INCREASE WITH FIXTURE CONGESTION: AN 11-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE INJURY STUDY. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 48(7), pp.566.2-567. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2014-093494.19.
