High-altitude is known to impair aerobically-related exercise performance (Gore et al., 2008). In highly-trained soccer players competing at 3600 m, large and moderate decreases in high-intensity intermittent running performance (Buchheit et al., 2013) and high-speed running distance during matches (Aughey et al., 2013) have been reported, respectively. Interestingly, despite the lower altitude-induced impairment in physical capacity observed in high-altitude versus sea-level natives (Buchheit et al., 2013), the majority of game running activities were reduced by a similar amount (Aughey et al., 2013). While this may be suggestive of differences in relative exercise intensity (Mendez-Villanueva et al., 2013), this has not, to date, been clearly examined. Further, little is known regarding the time course of relative match intensities with altitude acclimatisation. The aim of the present case study was to compare relative match intensities of sea-level vs. high-altitude native players during a 2-week camp at 3600 m (Gore et al., 2013).

The variables shown in the present case report were collected as a part of a larger study (Gore et al., 2013), from which some of the data have already been published separately (Buchheit et al., 2013, Gore et al., 2013, Sargent et al., 2013, Wachsmuth et al., 2013). For a full description of the experimental schedule, refer to the publication of Gore et al. (2013). Data from 7 sea-level (Australian U17 National team, AUS) and 6 high-altitude (a Bolivian U18 team, BOL) native soccer players, who participated in a competitive soccer camp and participated in all games were (re)analysed. Both teams played two matches at sea-level and then three matches at 3600 m, on Days 1, 6 and 13 at altitude. As this was a training camp, the recovery procedures following each match were restricted to optimal (and consistent following all games) hydration, nutrition and sleep. All matches were also followed by a light training session the next day.

All players performed the Yo-Yo Intermittent recovery test level 1 (final velocity, vYo-YoIR1 (Bangsbo, Iaia et al. 2008)) at sea-level, and on Days 3 and 10 at altitude. All players were well familiar with this test; i.e., they had all performed the test several times before. Match variables and vYo-YoIR1 from Day-1 and Day-3, and Day-10 and Day-13, were paired. The expected vYo-YoIR1 at Day-6 was linearly interpolated for each player. Match activity profiles were measured via GPS (MinimaxX Team Sports 4.0, 10 Hz, Catapult Innovations, Melbourne, Australia). Distance covered at speeds greater than 14.4 km.h^-1 (D>14.4 km·h^-1) and 80% of vYo-YoIR1 (>80%vYo-YoIR1) during the first half of these games were examined (the first half of each game only was analysed because of the large number of player substitutions in the second halves). Data from the two sea-level games were averaged.

Data in the text and figures are presented as means with standard deviations (SD) and 90% confidence limits/intervals (CL/CI), respectively. All data were first log-transformed to reduce bias arising from non-uniformity of error. Between-team differences and differences in the change in the different variables were standardised using Cohen’s effect size principle (Hopkins et al., 2009). Probabilities were used to make a qualitative probabilistic mechanistic inference about the true changes: if the probabilities of the effect being substantially greater and smaller than the smallest worthwhile change (0.2 x baseline between-players SD) were both >5%, the effect was reported as unclear; the effect was otherwise clear and reported as the magnitude of the observed value. The scale was as follows: 25–75%, possible; 75–95%, likely; 95–99%, very likely; >99%, almost certain (Hopkins et al., 2009). Finally, the trend in relative match intensity throughout the camp was assessed using within-player linear regression using percentage changes in D>80%vYo-YoIR1 over the successive matches.

The vYo-YoIR1 and match running performance of both teams are shown in Figure 1. BOL performed moderately better at altitude, and ran largely-to-moderately more than their AUS counterparts. D>80%vYo-YoIR1 was moderately greater in BOL at sea-level and during the first altitude game.

Upon arrival at altitude, there was a greater decrement in both vYo-YoIR1 (very likely, Cohen’s +1.0 90CL ± 0.8) and D>14.4 km·h^-1 (possible, +0.5 ± 0.8) in AUS compared with BOL (Figure 1, A and B and Figure 2); however, D>14.4 km·h^-1 was reduced by a similar amount relative to vYo-YoIR1 in both groups, so that D>80%vYo-YoIR1 remained similarly unchanged in both groups (unclear, -0.1 ± 0.8, Figure 1, C, and Figure 2). Throughout the camp, there was a gradual increase in vYo-YoIR1 and D>14.4 km·h^-1 in AUS, which led to a stable D>80%vYo-YoIR1 (unclear, +6.0%/match, 90CL ± 6.7). In contrast, BOL showed no clear change in D>14.4 km·.h^-1, so that D>80%vYo-YoIR1 decreased largely (-12.2%/match ± 6.2).

Our data show that in soccer players competing at high-altitude, changes in match running performance upon arrival may mirror those of high-intensity intermittent running performance, irrespective of players’ altitude experience. For instance, the ratio between the changes in vYo-YoIR1 and actual match running performance impairment upon arrival were comparable between each team (Figure 1, A and B); the changes during the first game in relative match intensity were therefore not substantially different between the two teams (Figure 1, C and Figure 2). Throughout the acclimatisation period, the rate of improvement of vYo-YoIR1 and match running performance was similar in the Australian players (Figure 1 A and B), leading to an unchanged relative match intensity (+6.0%/match, 90CL ± 6.7). While limited, given the reduced number of players and games examined, but considering that players rarely use their full capacities during games (Carling, 2013, Mendez-Villanueva et al., 2013), these present data suggest that sea-level natives may regulate their activities during (high-altitude) games to maintain a ‘tolerable’ relative exercise intensity. The observation that changes in fitness (as assessed by vYo-YoIR1) were followed by comparable changes in absolute match running performance is consistent with the data reported in junior soccer players after their pre-season training (Impellizzeri et al., 2006). Our results contrast however with other longitudinal data on young players, where the magnitude of the changes in match running activities tended to be lower than those in fitness (Buchheit et al., 2012). These discrepancies could be related to the actual origin of the changes in fitness (i.e. acutely induced by change on O₂ availability vs. training-induced improvements in cardiovascular function) and the period of interest (pre- versus in-season versus short camp). In the aforementioned study in young players (Buchheit et al., 2012), the effect of fitness changes on match running performance were position-dependent, which could not be examined in the present study due to limited sample sizes and reduced number of matches. All players included in the present analysis however played in the same position during all 5 games, and only the first half of the game was analysed, which may reduce the match-to-match variability in the responses (i.e., different pacing strategies can occur in the second half due to tactical adjustments in relation to match scores) (Bradley and Noakes, 2013).

Interestingly, the Bolivian players ran consistently more than the Australian players at altitude (Figure 1, B), but in contrast to the Australians, they showed a stable match running performance throughout the three games. While these differences in match running performance can obviously be related to specific team tactics (i.e., Australians were requested to play conservatively during the first game (Aughey et al., 2013)), the large magnitude of the changes suggests that altitude had likely affected both teams responses. Since their physical capacity (as assessed by vYo-YoIR1) gradually improved with re-acclimatisation, this lead to a progressive reduction in relative match running intensity (Figure 1, C and Figure 2). The possible explanations for the lack of an increase match running performance in the Bolivians, despite their improved fitness, are multiple and remain unclear without additional technical and tactical data. We can nevertheless speculate that since they had to compete against the Australians, who were experiencing a large decrease in their running performance, the Bolivians were probably not required to run as much as they could. These results therefore confirm that increases in ‘fitness’ do not necessarily translate into greater match running performance, but rather in reduced relative exercise intensity (Buchheit et al., 2012, Mendez-Villanueva et al., 2013).

It is however worth noting that the present case report suffers from a couple of limitations, including the limited number of players and matches analysed. For instance, because of the large match-to-match substitutions, we could only use the data from a sub-group of 13 players per match (7 and 6 for each group). Additionally, because of obvious logistical and physiological reasons, only one match was played at each time point at altitude. Because of the substantial match-to-match variability in match running performance (Gregson et al., 2010), the observed trend in match running activity should therefore be viewed with caution. While some physiological measures reflecting the acclimation process of both teams were not reported in the present case report, they were partially in line with the recovery of high-intensity running performance (vYo-YoIR1). For further details, the reader is referred to the companion papers of the present case report (Buchheit et al., 2013, Wachsmuth et al., 2013). Finally, the lack of tactical/technical analyses during matches prevents a comprehensive examination of the effect of altitude on matches outcome; winning in soccer is actually about scoring more goals that the opponent, not about running more per se.

When playing at high-altitude, players may regulate their activities during matches in relation to their transient maximal physical capacities, possibly to maintain a ‘tolerable’ relative exercise intensity. Adjustments in match running performance are also likely to occur to follow that of the opposing team; the fitter team may then end up by running at a relatively lower intensity, but not necessarily by covering more distance.