Development and validation of W-SAFT⁹⁰: a simulation designed to elicit the physical and physiological responses of women’s football (soccer) matches

This prospective cohort study aimed to develop and validate a simulation of the locomotor profile and physiological responses of Women’s Football matches. Players’ physical loads during competitive matches (76 match observations; one to seven per player) were captured via 10-Hz GPS and 1,000-Hz triaxial accelerometry (PlayerLoad^™ ). Internal response was captured via heart rate and postmatch ratings of perceived exertion. Locomotor data were used to inform a modified version of previously developed 90-min match simulation (SAFT⁹⁰ ). Following habituation and prematch preparation, a subsample of the players performed the Women’s SAFT⁹⁰ (W-SAFT⁹⁰) on a synthetic outdoor surface using the same tracking procedures. W-SAFT⁹⁰ data were compared at both individual and cohort levels to the mean-weighted match responses. Total, walking, and jogging distance and heart rate responses (average, training impulse) were comparable between W-SAFT⁹⁰ and matches. Maximum velocity (Δ 3.2 km/hr) and high-speed running distance (Δ 4.1 m/min) were lower, whereas acceleration load (Δ 1.9 m/min), PlayerLoad (Δ 0.9 au·min), and ratings of perceived exertion (Δ 23.1 au) were higher during W-SAFT⁹⁰ . Within W-SAFT⁹⁰ performance declines were < 3.5% across all metrics, except for high-speed running (16.7%) and maximum velocity (9.2%). The short circuit length and multidirectional nature of the SAFT⁹⁰ course inhibited players’ attainment of high-speeds inherent in competitive matches, but amplified the load from frequent velocity changes and the psychobiological response. Nevertheless, W-SAFT⁹⁰ elicited a cardiovascular response comparable to competitive match-play, and its pragmatic attributes (low cost, minimal space requirements) and standardized nature may be valuable for researchers seeking to improve the validity of their Women’s Football trials.