Performance fitness requirements - football (physical factor)

Question 1

Introduction

Answer 1

Football is a fast fluctuating game that involves bouts of fast high intensity sprinting interspersed with periods of lower intensity jogging and walking. This is continual throughout the 90-minute period of the game therefore this implies that all types of endurance are going to be vital to maintain your performance throughout the game

Question 2

Cardio respiratory endurance (CRE)

Answer 2

is required to last the full 90 minutes of the game. During the game you will do a lot of work both on and off the ball. You will make repeated runs to support attacks, get into space to receive the ball, make runs with the ball, chase back to defend etc. The energy required to do this is supplied aerobically which requires your heart, lungs and blood system to supply O2 to the working muscles throughout the game. Therefore, a high level of CRE delays the onset of fatigue. This means that your work rate stays high you can fulfil your role in the team and you will be able to maintain a high skill level (as fatigue can also effect your control, touch and concentration)

Question 3

Speed and speed endurance

Answer 3

Speed is required when trying to beat an opponent to a 50/50 ball, to lose defender, to get in to space, to support an attack, to dribble round an opponent or to chase back and close down an attack. If you lack speed, then you will be unable to maintain possession of the ball or win it back or take on your opposite player effectively. This happens continually throughout the game as you repeatedly sprint over varied distances. Therefore, speed endurance is more important because if it is poor you will be unable to maintain sprinting throughout the duration of the game. The energy required to do this is supplied anaerobically (this will be explained in detail on p24) as the aerobic system is to slow to meet the energy demands. These results in lactic acid build up and it is this, which leads to muscle fatigue. Therefore, with improved speed endurance (anaerobic endurance) the body can delay the production of lactic acid and tolerate higher concentrations of it thus delaying fatigue.

Question 4

Muscular endurance

Answer 4

as stated earlier there is a lot of running in football this requires repeated contractions of our thighs (quadriceps), hamstrings, gluteal (buttocks) and calves.
Therefore, muscular endurance is vital to delay the onset of fatigue, which prevents our muscles from working to full capacity thus affecting our ability to run and execute skills effectively. Having effective muscular endurance also delays the production of lactic acid

Question 5

Strength

Answer 5

is required in football to be able to make strong effective challenges for the ball and win tackles to prevent yourself being eased of the ball, it is important to be able to hold off defenders when trying to hold the ball up in attack or to stand up to and maintain possession from the strong challenges of the opposition as you take them on and try to beat them. Without a good level of both upper body and leg strength you will lose possession of the ball and will be less likely to win it back in tackle situations

Question 6

Power or explosive strength.

Answer 6

. Leg power is required to jump high in the air to compete for defensive and attacking headers if you lack power you will be out jumped and unable to clear the ball from the danger area nor will you be able to convert crosses and corners into scoring opportunities. Leg power is also required when shooting in open play or at a set piece to produce a powerful shot that may beat the keeper. or force a weak save that another player could capitalise on. Arm power is also important for long distance throw ins or for a goal keeper when throwing the ball out.

Question 7

Flexibility

Answer 7

this allows player to reach and stretch to make tackles or shots at goal such as overhead kicks or stretching for a volley. It allows a wider range of movement and will help to prevent injury.