Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Institute of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, Copenhagen,
Denmark
Abstract
In soccer, the players perform intermittent work. Despite the players performing low-intensity activities for more than 70% of
the game, heart rate and body temperature measurements suggest that the average oxygen uptake for elite soccer players is
around 70% of maximum (V_ O2max). This may be partly explained by the 150 250 brief intense actions a top-class player
performs during a game, which also indicates that the rates of creatine phosphate (CP) utilization and glycolysis are
frequently high during a game. Muscle glycogen is probably the most important substrate for energy production, and fatigue
towards the end of a game may be related to depletion of glycogen in some muscle fibres. Blood free-fatty acids (FFAs)
increase progressively during a game, partly compensating for the progressive lowering of muscle glycogen. Fatigue also
occurs temporarily during matches, but it is still unclear what causes the reduced ability to perform maximally. There are
major individual differences in the physical demands of players during a game related to physical capacity and tactical role in
the team. These differences should be taken into account when planning the training and nutritional strategies of top-class
players, who require a significant energy intake during a week.
Keywords: Match-play activity pattern, substrate utilization, muscle metabolites, fatigue, recovery after matches, training
intensity
Correspondence: J. Bangsbo, Institute of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Copenhagen, August Krogh Building, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100
Copenhagen , Denmark. E-mail: jbangsbo@aki.ku.dk
ISSN 0264-0414 print/ISSN 1466-447X online 2006 Taylor & Francis
DOI: 10.1080/02640410500482529
666 J. Bangsbo et al.
1985; Mohr, Krustrup, & Bangsbo, 2003; Reilly & high-intensity and by sprinting, whereas they per-
Thomas, 1979; Rienzi, Drust, Reilly, Carter, & formed fewer headers and tackles than players in the
Martin, 1998; Van Gool, Van Gerven, & Boutmans, other playing positions. The attackers covered a
1988). The typical distance covered by a top-class distance at a high intensity equal to the full-backs
outfield player during a match is 10 13 km, with and midfield players, but sprinted more than the
midfield players covering greater distances than other midfield players and defenders. Furthermore, Mohr
outfield players. However, most of this distance is et al. (2003) showed that the attackers had a more
covered by walking and low-intensity running, marked decline in sprinting distance than the
which require a limited energy turnover. In terms defenders and midfield players. In addition, the
of energy production, the high-intensity exercise performance of the attackers on the Yo-Yo inter-
periods are important. Thus, it is clear that the mittent recovery test was not as good as that of the
amount of high-intensity exercise separates top-class full-backs and midfield players. Thus, it would
players from players of a lower standard. In one appear that the modern top-class attacker needs to
study, computerized timemotion analysis demon- be able to perform high-intensity actions repeatedly
strated that international players performed 28% throughout a game.
more (P 5 0.05) high-intensity running (2.43 vs. The midfield players performed as many tackles
1.90 km) and 58% more sprinting (650 vs. 410 m) and headers as defenders and attackers. They
than professional players of a lower standard (Mohr covered a total distance and distance at a high-
et al., 2003). It should be emphasized that the intensity similar to the full-backs and attackers, but
recordings of high-intensity running do not include a sprinted less. Previous studies have shown that
number of energy-demanding activities such as short midfield players cover a greater distance during a
accelerations, tackling, and jumping. The number of game than full-backs and attackers (Bangsbo, 1994;
tackles and jumps depends on the individual playing Bangsbo et al., 1991; Ekblom, 1986; Reilly &
style and position in the team, and at the highest level Thomas, 1979). These differences may be explained
has been shown to vary between 3 and 27 and by the development of the physical demands of full-
between 1 and 36, respectively (Mohr et al., 2003). backs and attackers, since, in contrast to earlier
Most studies have used video analysis followed by studies (Bangsbo, 1994), Mohr et al. (2003) ob-
manual computer analysis to examine individual served that players in all team positions experienced
performance during a match. New developments in a significant decline in high-intensity running to-
technology have allowed the study of all 22 players wards the end of the match. This indicates that
during each one-sixth of a second throughout a almost all elite soccer players utilize their physical
match, and the systems are used by many top teams capacity during a game. Individual differences are
in Europe. There are reasons to believe that in the not only related to position in the team. Thus, in the
future such systems will provide significant addi- study by Mohr et al. (2003), within each playing
tional information and will soon find their way into position there was a significant variation in the
scientific research. For example, using a high time physical demands depending on the tactical role
resolution, Bangsbo and Mohr (2005) recently and the physical capacity of the players. For example,
examined fluctuations in high-intensity exercise, in the same game, one midfield player covered a total
running speeds, and recovery time from sprints distance of 12.3 km, with 3.5 km being covered at a
during several top-class soccer matches. They found high intensity, while another midfielder covered
that sprinting speed in games reached peak values of a total distance of 10.8 km, of which 2.0 km was at
around 32 km h71 and that sprints over more than a high intensity. The individual differences in playing
30 m demanded markedly longer recovery than the style and physical performance should be taken into
average sprints (10 15 m) during a game. account when planning the training and nutritional
There are major individual differences in the strategy.
physical demands of players, in part related to
his position in the team. A number of studies
Aerobic energy production in soccer
have compared playing positions (Bangsbo, 1994;
Bangsbo et al., 1991; Ekblom, 1986; Reilly & Soccer is an intermittent sport in which the aerobic
Thomas, 1979). In a study of top-class players, energy system is highly taxed, with mean and peak
Mohr et al. (2003) found that the central defenders heart rates of around 85 and 98% of maximal values,
covered less overall distance and performed less respectively (Ali & Farrally, 1991; Bangsbo, 1994;
high-intensity running than players in the other Ekblom, 1986; Krustrup et al., 2005; Reilly &
positions, which probably is closely linked to the Thomas, 1979). These values can be converted to
tactical roles of the central defenders and their lower oxygen uptake using the relationship between heart
physical capacity (Bangsbo, 1994; Mohr et al., 2003). rate and oxygen uptake obtained during treadmill
The full-backs covered a considerable distance at a running (Bangsbo, 1994; Esposito et al., 2004;
Physiological demands of football 667
Krustrup & Bangsbo, 2001). This appears to be a valid to some extent is resynthesized in the following low-
method, since in studies in which heart rate and intensity exercise periods (Bangsbo, 1994). On the
oxygen uptake (by the so-called K4 apparatus) have other hand, creatine phosphate may decline (i.e.
been measured during soccer drills, similar heart rates below 30% of resting values) during parts of a game
have been observed for a given oxygen uptake as found if a number of intense bouts are performed with only
during treadmill running (Castagna et al., 2005; short recovery periods. Analysis of creatine phos-
Esposito et al., 2004). However, it is likely that the phate in muscle biopsies obtained after intense
heart rates measured during a match lead to an exercise periods during a game have provided values
overestimation of the oxygen uptake, since such above 70% of those at rest, but this is likely to be due
factors as dehydration, hyperthermia, and mental to the delay in obtaining the biopsy (Krustrup et al.,
stress elevate the heart rate without affecting oxygen 2006).
uptake. Nevertheless, with these factors taken into Mean blood lactate concentrations of 2 10
account, the heart rate measurements during a game mmol l71 have been observed during soccer games,
seem to suggest that the average oxygen uptake is with individual values above 12 mmol l71 (Agnevik,
around 70% V_ O2max. This suggestion is supported by 1970; Bangsbo, 1994; Ekblom, 1986; Krustrup et al.,
measurements of core temperature during a soccer 2006). These findings indicate that the rate of muscle
game. Core temperature is another indirect measure- lactate production is high during match-play, but
ment of energy production during exercise, since a muscle lactate has been measured in only a single
linear relationship has been reported between rectal study. In a friendly game between non-professional
temperature and relative work intensity (Saltin & teams, it was observed that muscle lactate rose four-
Hermansen, 1966). During continuous cycling exer- fold (to around 15 mmol kg dry weight71) compared
cise at 70% V_ O2max with an ambient temperature of with resting values after intense periods in both halves,
208C, the rectal temperature was 38.78C. In soccer, with the highest value being 35 mmol kg dry weight71
the core temperature increases relatively more com- (Krustrup et al., 2006). Such values are less than one-
pared with the average intensity due to the intermittent third of the concentrations observed during short-
nature of the game. Hence, it has been observed that at term intermittent exhaustive exercise (Krustrup et al.,
a relative work rate corresponding to 60% of V_ O2max, 2003). An interesting finding in that study was
the core temperature was 0.38C higher during inter- that muscle lactate was not correlated with blood
mittent than continuous exercise (Ekblom et al., lactate (Figure 1). A scattered relationship with a low
1971). Nevertheless, core temperatures of 39 408C correlation coefficient has also been observed between
during a game suggest that the average aerobic loading muscle lactate and blood lactate when participants
during a game is around 70% V_ O2max (Ekblom, 1986; performed repeated intense exercise using the Yo-Yo
Mohr et al., 2004b; Smodlaka, 1978). intermittent recovery test (Krustrup et al., 2003)
More important for performance than the average (Figure 1). This is in contrast to continuous exercise
oxygen uptake during a game, may be the rate of rise where the blood lactate concentrations are lower but
in oxygen uptake during the many short intense reflect well the muscle lactate concentrations during
actions. A players heart rate during a game is rarely exercise (Figure 1). These differences between inter-
below 65% of maximum, suggesting that blood flow mittent and continuous exercise are probably due to
to the exercising leg muscle is continuously higher different turnover rates of muscle lactate and blood
than at rest, which means that oxygen delivery is lactate during the two types of exercise, with the rate of
high. However, the oxygen kinetics during the lactate clearance being significantly higher in muscle
changes from low- to high-intensity exercise during than in blood (Bangsbo, Johansen, Graham, & Saltin,
the game appear to be limited by local factors and 1993). This means that during intermittent exercise in
depend, among other things, on the oxidative soccer, the blood lactate concentration can be high
capacity of the contracting muscles (Bangsbo et al., even though the muscle lactate concentration is
2002; Krustrup, Hellsten, & Bangsbo, 2004a). The relatively low. The relationship between muscle
rate of rise of oxygen uptake can be changed by lactate and blood lactate also appears to be influenced
intense interval training (Krustrup et al., 2004a). by the activities immediately before sampling (Bangs-
bo et al., 1991; Krustrup & Bangsbo, 2001). Thus, the
rather high blood lactate concentration often seen in
Anaerobic energy production in soccer
soccer (Bangsbo, 1994; Ekblom, 1986; Krustrup et al.,
That elite soccer players perform 150 250 brief 2006) may not represent a high lactate production in a
intense actions during a game (Mohr et al., 2003) single action during the game, but rather an accumu-
indicates that the rate of anaerobic energy turnover is lated/balanced response to a number of high-intensity
high at certain times. Even though not studied activities. This is important to take into account when
directly, the intense exercise during a game leads to interpreting blood lactate concentration as a measure
a high rate of creatine phosphate breakdown, which of muscle lactate concentration. Nevertheless, based
668 J. Bangsbo et al.
Figure 1. Individual relationships between muscle lactate (expressed in mmol per litre of cell water) and blood lactate during a soccer match
(solid circles; data from the present study), at exhaustion in the Yo-Yo intermittent level 1 recovery test (solid squares; data from Krustrup
et al., 2003), and after 20 min of continuous cycle exercise at 80% V_ O2max (open circles; data from Krustrup et al., 2004b).
on several studies using short-term maximal exercise concentrations at half-time and after the game. A
performed in the laboratory (Gaitanos et al., 1993; high rate of lipolysis during a game is supported by
Nevill et al., 1989), and the finding of high blood elevated glycerol concentrations, even though the
lactate and moderate muscle lactate concentrations increases are smaller than during continuous exer-
during match-play, it is suggested that the rate of cise, which probably reflects a high turnover of
glycolysis is high for short periods of time during glycerol (e.g. as a gluconeogenic precursor in the
a game. liver; Bangsbo, 1994). Hormonal changes may play a
major role in the progressive increase in the
concentrations of free fatty acids. The insulin
Substrate utilization during a soccer match
concentrations are lowered and catecholamine con-
To provide nutritional strategies for a soccer player it is centrations are progressively elevated during a match
important to understand the energy demands and to (Bangsbo, 1994), stimulating a high rate of lipolysis
know which substrates are utilized during a game. and thus the release of free fatty acids into the blood
Muscle glycogen is an important substrate for the (Galbo, 1983). The effect is reinforced by lowered
soccer player. Saltin (1973) observed that muscle lactate concentrations towards the end of a game,
glycogen stores were almost depleted at half-time leading to less suppression of mobilization of free
when the pre-match values were low (*200 mmol kg fatty acids from the adipose tissue (Bangsbo, 1994;
dry weight71). In that study, some players also started Bulow & Madsen, 1981; Galbo, 1983; Krustrup
the game with normal muscle glycogen concentrations et al., 2006). The changes in free fatty acids during a
(*400 mmol kg dry weight71), with the values still match may cause a higher uptake and oxidation of
being rather high at half-time but below 50 mmol kg such acids by the contracting muscles, especially
dry weight71 at the end of the game. Others have during the recovery periods in a game (Turcotte,
reported concentrations of *200 mmol kg dry Kiens, & Richter, 1991). In addition, a higher
weight71 after a match (Jacobs, Westlin, Karlsson, utilization of muscle triglycerides might occur in
Rasmusson & Houghton, 1982; Krustrup et al., 2006; the second half due to elevated catecholamine
Smaros 1980), indicating that muscle glycogen stores concentrations (Galbo, 1992). Both processes may
are not always depleted in a soccer game. However, be compensatory mechanisms for the progressive
analyses of single muscle fibres after a game have lowering of muscle glycogen and are favourable in
revealed that a significant number of fibres are maintaining a high blood glucose concentration.
depleted or partly depleted at the end of a game
(Krustrup et al., 2006; see below).
Fatigue during a soccer game
It has been observed that the concentration of free
fatty acids (FFA) in the blood increases during a A relevant question when planning training is when
game, most markedly so during the second half fatigue occurs during a soccer game and what the
(Bangsbo, 1994; Krustrup et al., 2006). The frequent cause of that fatigue is. Several studies have provided
periods of rest and low-intensity exercise in a game evidence that players ability to perform high-
allow for a significant blood flow to adipose tissue, intensity exercise is reduced towards the end of
which promotes the release of free fatty acids. This games in both elite and sub-elite soccer (Krustrup
effect is also illustrated by the finding of high FFA et al., 2006; Mohr et al., 2003, 2004; Mohr,
Physiological demands of football 669
Krustrup, & Bangsbo, 2005; Reilly & Thomas, ercise using a carbohydrate diet elevates performance
1979). Thus, it has been demonstrated that the during such exercise (Balsom, Gaitanos, Soderlund,
amount of sprinting, high-intensity running, and & Ekblom, 1999; Bangsbo, Nrregaard, & Thorse,
distance covered are lower in the second half than in 1992a). Some (Saltin, 1973) but not all (Jacobs et al.,
the first half of a game (Bangsbo et al., 1991; 1982; Krustrup et al., 2006; Smaros, 1980) authors
Bangsbo, 1994; Mohr et al., 2003; Reilly & Thomas, have observed that muscle glycogen during a game
1979). Furthermore, it has been observed that the decreases to values below that required to maintain
amount of high-intensity running is reduced in the maximal glycolytic rate (*200 mmol kg dry
final 15 min of a top-class soccer game (Mohr et al., weight71; Bangsbo et al., 1992b). In a study by
2003) and that jumping, sprinting, and intermittent Krustrup et al. (2006), the muscle glycogen concen-
exercise performance is lowered after versus before a tration at the end of the game was reduced to 150
soccer game (Mohr et al., 2004b, 2005; Rebelo, 350 mmol kg dry weight71. Thus, there was still
1999) (Figure 2). However, the underlying mechan- glycogen available. However, histochemical analysis
ism behind a reduced exercise performance at the revealed that about half of the individual muscle
end of a soccer game is unclear. One candidate is fibres of both types were almost depleted or depleted
depletion of glycogen stores, since development of of glycogen. This reduction was associated with a
fatigue during prolonged intermittent exercise has decrease in sprint performance immediately after the
been associated with a lack of muscle glycogen. game. Therefore, it is possible that such a depletion
Moreover, it has been demonstrated that elevating of glycogen in some fibres does not allow for a
muscle glycogen before prolonged intermittent ex- maximal effort in single and repeated sprints.
Nevertheless, it is unclear what the mechanisms are
behind the possible causal relationship between
muscle glycogen concentration and fatigue during
prolonged intermittent exercise.
Factors such as dehydration and hyperthermia
may also contribute to the development of fatigue in
the later stages of a soccer game (Magal et al., 2003;
Reilly, 1997). Soccer players have been reported to
lose up to 3 litres of fluid during games in temperate
thermal environments and as much as 4 5 lires in a
hot and humid environment (Bangsbo, 1994; Reilly,
1997), and it has been observed that 5 and 10 m
sprint times are slowed by hypohydration amounting
to 2.7% of body mass (Magal et al., 2003). However,
in the study by Krustrup et al. (2006) a significant
reduction in sprint performance was observed,
although the fluid loss of the players was only about
1% of body mass, and no effect on core or muscle
temperature was observed in a study with a similar
loss of fluid (Mohr et al., 2004b). Thus, it would
appear that fluid loss is not always an important
component in the impaired performance seen
towards the end of a game.
the natural variation in the intensity in a game due to creatine phosphate having an inhibitory effect on
tactical or psychological factors. However, in another performance during intense intermittent exercise.
study players performed a repeated sprint test During the matches studied by Krustrup et al.
immediately after intense match-play and also at (2006), muscle inosine monophosphate (IMP) con-
the end of each half (Krustrup et al., 2006). It was centrations were higher than before the game and
shown that after intense periods in the first half, the elevated blood NH3 levels also indicate that the
players sprint performance was significantly re- adenosine monophosphate (AMP) deaminase reac-
duced, whereas at the end of the first half the tion was significantly stimulated. On the other hand,
ability to perform repeated sprints had recovered the muscle IMP concentrations were considerably
(Figure 2). Together, these results suggest that lower than observed during exhaustive exercise
soccer players experience fatigue temporarily during (Hellsten, Richter, Kiens, & Bangsbo, 1999) and
the game. ATP was only moderately reduced. Thus, it is
An interesting question is what causes fatigue unlikely that fatigue occurred as a result of a low
during a game of soccer. Fatigue during match-play energy status of the contracting muscles. Together,
is a complex phenomenon with a number of contri- these findings suggest that temporary fatigue in
buting factors. One of these may be cerebral in soccer is not causally linked to high muscle lactate,
nature, especially during hot conditions (see high muscle acidosis, low muscle creatine phosphate,
Meeusen, Watson, & Dvorak, 2006; Nybo & Secher, or low muscle ATP.
2004). However, it has been shown that for well- One has to look for other explanations of the
motivated individuals the cause of fatigue is mus- fatigue that occurs after periods of intense exercise in
cular in nature (Bigland-Ritchie, Furbush, & Woods, soccer. It has been suggested that the development of
1986). In the study by Krustrup et al. (2006), the fatigue during high-intensity exercise is related to an
decrement in performance during the game was accumulation of potassium in the muscle interstitium
related to muscle lactate. However, the relationship and the concomitant electrical disturbances in the
was weak and the changes in muscle lactate were muscle cell (Bangsbo et al., 1996; Sejersted &
moderate. Furthermore, several studies have shown Sjgaard, 2000). This hypothesis is supported by
that accumulation of lactate does not cause fatigue the observation of muscle interstitial potassium
(Bangsbo et al., 1992; Krustrup et al., 2003; Mohr concentrations of more than 11 mmol l71 during
et al., 2004a). Another candidate for muscle fatigue exhaustive exercise (Mohr et al., 2004a; Nielsen
during intense exercise is a low muscle pH (Sahlin, et al., 2004; Nordsborg et al., 2003), which according
1992). However, muscle pH is only moderately to in vitro studies is high enough to depolarize the
reduced (to about 6.8) during a game and no muscle membrane potential and reduce force
relationship with lowered performance has been development markedly (Cairns & Dulhunty, 1995).
observed (Krustrup et al., 2006). Thus, it is unlikely In addition, it has been observed that the maximal
that elevated muscle lactate and lowered muscle pH activity of the Na/K pump is reduced with
cause fatigue during a soccer game. It may be due to different types of exercise (Fraser et al., 2002), which
low muscle creatine phosphate concentrations, since could lead to greater transient accumulation of
performance in intense intermittent exercise has potassium during a match. Mean arm venous plasma
been demonstrated to be elevated after a period of potassium concentration during a soccer game has
creatine supplementation (Balsom, Seger, Sjodin, & been observed to be 5 mmol l71, with individual
Ekblom, 1995; Greenhaff, Bodin, Soderlund, & values above 5.5 mmol l71 (Krustrup et al., 2006),
Hultman, 1994). After intense periods in a soccer which is only slightly lower than values observed 30 s
game, muscle creatine phosphate has been observed after exhaustive incremental intermittent exercise
to be lowered by only 25% (Krustrup et al., 2006). (Krustrup et al., 2003). However, these plasma
This was due in part to the fast recovery of creatine values do not provide a clear picture of the
phosphate and the 15 30 s delay in collecting the concentrations around the contracting muscle fibres
muscle biopsy in that study. Creatine phosphate may in soccer. Further research is needed to reveal what
have been significantly lower in individual muscle causes fatigue during soccer matches.
fibres, since creatine phosphate stores have been
reported to be almost completely depleted in
Training of a top-class player
individual fibres at the point of fatigue after intense
exercise (Sderlund & Hultman, 1991). However, Based on the analysis of the game it is clear that the
during the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test where training of elite players should focus on improving
the speed is progressively increased to the point of their ability to perform intense exercise and to recover
exhaustion, no changes were observed in muscle rapidly from periods of high-intensity exercise. This
creatine phosphate in the final phase of exercise is done by performing aerobic and anaerobic training
(Krustrup et al., 2003). This fact argues against on a regular basis (Bangsbo, 2005).
Physiological demands of football 671
In a typical week for a professional soccer team during a period of training, it is also important to
with one match to play, the players have six perform measurements in the training sessions that
training sessions in 5 days (i.e. one day with two are not specifically aimed at improving the fitness of
sessions), with the day after the match free. If there is the players. Table II shows the heart rates of three
a second match in midweek the team often trains players during all training sessions over a 2 week
once a day on the other days. However, there are preparation period for the World Cup in 2002, with
marked variations depending on the experience of the exception of two strength training sessions. The
the coach. Table I presents examples of pro- midfield player had a mean heart rate of 146 and 143
grammes for an international top-class team during beats min71 respectively during the training ses-
the season. sions in week 1 and 2, corresponding to 78 and 76%
To obtain information about the loading of the of maximal heart rate, with heart rates of 90 95 and
players, heart rate monitoring can be used. It should, 95 100% of maximum for 144 and 11.5 min in
however, be emphasized that such measurements do week 1 and 135 and 8.5 min in week 2 respectively.
not provide a clear picture about the anaerobic The estimated mean energy expenditure was 7.6 and
energy production during training. Figure 3 shows 7.5 MJ day71 in week 1 and 2 respectively. In
an example of the heart rate response for two top- comparison, the attacker had a lower relative mean
class players during high-intensity aerobic training heart rate (*70% maximum) and an estimated
(drill Pendulum; Bangsbo, 2005) consisting of mean energy expenditure of 5.6 and 6.3 MJ day71
eight 2 min exercise periods separated by 1 min in week 1 and 2 respectively. Note the marked
recovery periods. The length of time the heart rate individual differences in heart rate distribution and
was 80 90, 90 95, and 95 100% of maximum was energy demand among the players (Table II). Such
8.3, 10.9, and 4.7 min respectively for one player, differences should be taken into account when
and 4.8, 11.1, and 5.3 min respectively for the other planning training and nutritional strategies for
player. To understand the total demand on a player individual players.
Table I. An in-season weekly programme for a professional soccer team when playing one or two matches a week.
expenditure
Energy
6.1
7.3
7.6
7.5
5.6
6.3
per week (MJ)
expenditure
Energy
42.9
51.3
53.4
52.6
39.0
44.4
max (min)
95 100%
10.1
3.9
11.5
8.5
16.2
21.9
Heart rate zone*
max (min)
90 95%
31.3
53.7
143.5
135.5
52.1
60.1
max (min)
80 90%
76.9
67.4
156.3
133.7
63.3
104.4
(% of max)
heart rate
Mean
71.9
71.6
77.5
75.7
68.3
71.6
Figure 3. (a) Absolute (beats min71) and (b) relative (percent of
maximal) heart rate for two players during a high-intensity aerobic
exercise drill called Pendulum. The maximal heart rate of the
(beats min71)
players was 206 and 185 beats min71 respectively.
heart rate
Mean
143.1
142.5
146.4
143.1
129.8
136.0
Muscle glycogen concentrations and adaptations to
training
time (min)
751
905
853
869
687
728
Malm FF in the 1970s not only showed that muscle
glycogen was lowered after a game, as discussed
the first part of the preparation period for the 2002 World Cup.
83.5
82.3
85.3
79.0
85.9
80.9
10
11
8
9
Week 1
Week 2
Week 1
Week 2
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