Physical Responses During Matches of International Female Football Players with Cerebral Palsy According to Their Sport Classes

TL;DR

This study examines the physical performance of female football players with cerebral palsy during international matches, comparing differences based on their sport class.

Contribution

The study reveals novel findings about physical performance differences between sport classes FT1, FT2, and FT3 in female football players with cerebral palsy.

Findings

FT2 players covered more explosive distances and achieved higher maximum velocities than FT1 players.

FT2 players performed more mid–high intensity accelerations and decelerations than FT1 players.

No significant differences were found between FT2 and FT3 players in physical responses.

Abstract

Background/Objectives: International-level competition opportunities have recently been introduced for female footballers with cerebral palsy (CP), highlighting a gap in the research on their physical performance during matches. The objectives of this study were (I) to describe the physical responses during the 2022 Women’s World Cup of football players with cerebral palsy (CP) and (II) to analyze the differences in physical responses based on the players’ sport class (i.e., FT1, FT2, and FT3). Methods: Physical responses were recorded using global positioning devices (GPS) during four official international matches. Results: The results showed that FT2 players covered more explosive distances than FT1 players (p < 0.05; ES = −0.82), and FT2 and FT3 players achieved higher maximum velocities than FT1 players (p < 0.01; ES = −1.16 and p < 0.05; ES = −1.41, respectively). Furthermore, FT2 players performed more accelerations (p < 0.05; ES = −0.82 to −1.01) and decelerations (p < 0.01; ES = −1.00) in the mid–high intensity zones than FT1 players. Conclusions: While the greater impairment of FT1 players may have influenced their lower physical responses in competition compared to FT2 and FT3 players, the absence of differences between FT2 and FT3 classes is a novel aspect that requires further scientific investigation.