Impact of Weekly Workload Distribution on Performance in Male Soccer Players Across Competitive Levels-Scientific Hypothesis or Empirical Evidence: A Systematic Review.

Authors

Guillaume Lafrance, Gregory Dupont, Said Ahmaidi, Abd-Elbasset Abaïdia

Published in

Journal of strength and conditioning research. Aug 21, 2026. Epub Aug 21, 2026.

Abstract

Lafrance, G, Dupont, G, Ahmaidi, S, and Abaïdia, A. Impact of weekly workload distribution on performance in male soccer players across competitive levels-Scientific hypothesis or empirical evidence: A systematic review. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-This systematic review aimed to analyze weekly workload distribution patterns in male soccer and examine their potential effects on performance outcomes. A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases until December 2025. The analysis followed a 2-step approach: first, characterizing weekly workload distribution patterns within the microcycle, and second, examining available evidence on the potential effects of these distribution patterns on physical performance outcomes. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Forty-three studies met the inclusion criteria, with a moderate methodological quality score (5.09 ± 0.84/9). The synthesis identified a consistent weekly periodization model characterized by 3 phases: postmatch recovery (MD+1/MD+2), peak load distribution (MD-4/MD-3), and prematch tapering (MD-2/MD-1). Although this framework was common across teams, substantial observational differences in its practical implementation were reported. Regarding performance outcomes, only 2 studies (4.6%) examined the direct impact of load distribution through specific performance tests, providing limited evidence to establish clear relationships between training load patterns and physical performance. In conclusion, despite a common weekly framework, substantial differences in practical implementation across studies exist, and there is a critical lack of evidence regarding the impact of different load distribution strategies on performance outcomes. Future research should prioritize examining the relationship between weekly load distribution and performance to establish evidence-based recommendations for practitioners.

PMID:
42627171
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 21 Aug 2026.

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