No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the author.
Interpreting Physical Performance in Professional Soccer Match-Play: Should We be More Pragmatic in Our Approach?
Abstract
Academic and practitioner interest in the physical performance of male professional soccer players in the competition setting determined via time-motion analyses has grown substantially over the last four decades leading to a substantial body of published research and aiding development of a more systematic evidence-based framework for physical conditioning. Findings have forcibly shaped contemporary opinions in the sport with researchers and practitioners frequently emphasising the important role that physical performance plays in match outcomes. Time-motion analyses have also influenced practice as player conditioning programmes can be tailored according to the different physical demands identified across individual playing positions. Yet despite a more systematic approach to physical conditioning, data indicate that even at the very highest standards of competition, the contemporary player is still susceptible to transient and end-game fatigue. Over the course of this article, the author suggests that a more pragmatic approach to interpreting the current body of time-motion analysis data and its application in the practical setting is nevertheless required. Examples of this are addressed using findings in the literature to examine (a) the association between competitive physical performance and 'success' in professional soccer, (b) current approaches to interpreting differences in time-motion analysis data across playing positions, and (c) whether data can realistically be used to demonstrate the occurrence of fatigue in match-play. Gaps in the current literature and directions for future research are also identified.
... Although the distance covered in the second half of a match is typically found to be less than in the first half, the difference is only about 200 m of the total 9-13 km [30,49,50]. According to Carling (2013), such a decline in total distance, which is around 3.5 ± 1.9%, might not reflect a relevant change in match physical performance [51]. ...
... Although the distance covered in the second half of a match is typically found to be less than in the first half, the difference is only about 200 m of the total 9-13 km [30,49,50]. According to Carling (2013), such a decline in total distance, which is around 3.5 ± 1.9%, might not reflect a relevant change in match physical performance [51]. ...
... Previous studies have suggested that inter-and intra-individual variability is smaller for accelerations compared to distance-related measures [47,51]. Acceleration and deceleration profiles have also been shown to be significantly affected by the time periods between matches, with reduction in both high and maximal acceleration and deceleration during congested periods compared to non-congested periods [74]. ...
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, played by approximately 275 million people, over 128,000 of whom are registered as professionals (FIFA Professional Football Report, 2019). In a soccer match, the outfield players are organized in numerous formations in and out of possession based on tactical instructions from the coach. Performance in soccer is determined by the players’ technical, tactical, physiological and psychological/social characteristics. Soccer players who have the ability to cope with the physical demands of the game can utilize their tactical and technical skills more effectively during match play. Understanding the physical demands of soccer is important in order to optimize the training process. Over the years, numerous techniques have been used to determine the physical profile of soccer players. Observations of athletes while they participate in their specific sport may provide useful data on the physiological demands of an activity.
The overall objective of this thesis was to investigate the physical demands of elite soccer players, with special focus on high-intensity movements and actions. In order to investigate the overall objective, this project wanted to characterize the sprint and acceleration profiles of elite soccer players and investigate whether the number of accelerations constitutes a more precise estimate of match physical performance and performance decline in elite soccer players compared to high-intensity running (HIR) distances, as well as whether small-sided games (SSGs) in training could give a high enough training load for high-intensity movements and actions. Finally, the aim was to obtain knowledge concerning player load using accelerometers and the patterns of player load during matches, and how different soccer-specific high-intensity actions influence physiological, perceptual and accelerometer loads.
This thesis suggest that accelerations may be a more stable and sensitive measure of physical performance decline compared to HIR distance in soccer match play. Time-motion analysis is a useful tool for examining the physiological demands from high-speed activities, but accelerometers may supply information concerning player load from the many discrete actions of a soccer match that may be classified as low-speed activity. Indeed, the present thesis reveals some new factors concerning player load during matches. This thesis also suggests that many high-intensity actions without change in location at the pitch may contribute significantly to player load during matches and training. Player load from accelerometer may function as a complementary tool to investigate player loads during matches and training in addition to other tracking systems. Furthermore, the similarity in player load patterns between both matches and positions in elite soccer competition could indicate a physical “pacing pattern” employed by elite soccer teams. Training with 4 vs. 4 SSGs seems highly valuable to provide the peak demand for accelerations and player load during matches, but neither 4 vs. 4 nor 6 vs. 6 SSGs are close to the HIR or sprint demands during matches.
... Physical performance in association football matches has been well described in recent times (Bradley & Ade, 2018;Carling, 2013;Hands & Janse de Jonge, 2020;Sarmento et al., 2018). Indeed, modern technologies have afforded researchers and practitioners the opportunity to analyse physical performance in increasing detail. ...
... As such, heterogenous results in the literature will always remain when examining the impact of contextual factors (Paul et al., 2015). Finally, in instances where significant findings are reported, objectifying a meaningful practical interpretation and proposing recommendations remain difficult; since from a practical perspective, the statistically significant differences may realistically be of only trivial importance to the practitioner (Carling, 2013). Similarly, the present study was also careful to present dependent variables using both absolute and relative measures, which occasionally resulted in different findings regarding the statistical comparisons. ...
... Similarly, the present study was also careful to present dependent variables using both absolute and relative measures, which occasionally resulted in different findings regarding the statistical comparisons. Again, the decision as to which is more meaningful is with the practitioner (Carling, 2013). Despite the limitations, the present study has added to the literature concerning the effect of contextual factors on physical performance in association football, particularly with the useful addition of travel modality. ...
This study investigated the impact of match location and travel modality on physical performance of an Australian A-League association football team. Match location comprised of a home vs away comparison; while travel modality compared home matches, road travel, short-flight travel, and long-flight travel. Both models accounted for match result, opposition quality and total distance covered. Physical performance was defined as average running intensity (m.min−1), low-speed activity (LSA), high-speed activity (HSA), very high-speed activity (VHSA), high-intensity efforts (HIE) and sprint efforts. Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.05. Match location results demonstrated significantly greater average running intensity and LSA for away matches and significantly greater HSA for home matches. Travel modality results demonstrated significantly greater LSA for road travel compared to home matches and long-flight travel, while HSA was significantly greater for home matches and long-flight travel than for road travel. Additionally, home matches demonstrated significantly greater VHSA than road travel. Assessing the impact of travel modality on physical performance provides more contextual information than solely home vs away. Coaches may use this information to plan travel to mitigate detrimental effects on physical performance, particularly concerning road travel on matchdays.
... There are several studies that quantified the physical characteristics of the players for each 15 min period of time, where it was observed, on the one hand, that the first 15 min of the match was consistently the most demanding period, and on the other, a performance decrease in variables, such as total distance covered, high-speed running or sprinting as the game progressed, especially in the last 15 min period [8][9][10][11][12][13]. This could be justified by signs of fatigue or the inability to consistently perform at the same level throughout the course of the match, even at the highest standards of the professional arena [14]. However, some authors [15] suggest attributing the lower physical response to a decrease in the performance of the players caused by fatigue is perhaps an overly simplistic explanation, and other issues to achieve a better understanding of the physiological response during competition should be considered, which are, so far, limited. ...
... In this sense, performance must be understood in terms of space-time interaction dynamics and not only in terms of individual time-motion demands of the players [18]. Therefore, the factors that determine performance should not be considered separately [14,19], since soccer is a complex activity that depends on multiple factors to optimize the performance of players and teams [20]. In this sense, there are works that have described several of these dimensions simultaneously (physical and tactical) in different male youth-soccer categories [21], where complex technical and physical indicators [22] or where physical variables with centrality metrics have been correlated [23]. ...
... One understanding is to do with the superiority shown by the team during the season (i.e., they won the league), which, on many occasions, having taken the lead in the last part of the matches, caused the rival to take the initiative in the match. The rival, especially, but also the situation variables, are part of the activity of playing a soccer match [14,38]. For this reason, and as this study reflects, the teams condition their behavioural and physical performance, trying to respond as efficiently as possible in each context that occurs during a match [38]. ...
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the tactical and physical performance during official matches of a women’s soccer league and to correlate both dimensions in periods of 15 min. To do this, eight official matches of a semi-professional soccer team belonging to the Women’s Second Division of Spain (Reto Iberdrola) were analysed during the 2020–2021 season. The variables recorded were classified into two dimensions: tactical variables (i.e., Width, Length, Height and Surface Area) and physical variables (i.e., Total Distance Covered (TD), Total Distance Covered in High-Speed Running (HSR) and Total Distance Covered in Sprint). The main results were: (1) there were no differences between the periods in any of the tactical dimension variables; (2) in the physical dimension, a significant decrease in TD and HSR was described at the end of the match (period 60–75); and (3) some positive correlations were found among some variables of the tactical and physical dimension at the beginning and at the end of the match (periods 0–15, 60–75 and 75–90). The findings of the study suggest that connecting the tactical and physical dimension in the interpretation of team performance would allow for a better understanding of player and team performance and during competition.
... The importance of physical metrics for soccer performance has been heavily debated. 3 Previous research has predominantly suggested that the physical metrics in isolation are not related to performance 3,[19][20][21] ; however, this relationship has largely been examined using lowresolution, aggregate whole match distances. 22 Whole match distances include ~40% of match time when the ball is out-of-play, and are confounded by the amount of ball-in-play (BIP) time, which varies between matches. ...
... The importance of physical metrics for soccer performance has been heavily debated. 3 Previous research has predominantly suggested that the physical metrics in isolation are not related to performance 3,[19][20][21] ; however, this relationship has largely been examined using lowresolution, aggregate whole match distances. 22 Whole match distances include ~40% of match time when the ball is out-of-play, and are confounded by the amount of ball-in-play (BIP) time, which varies between matches. ...
Background
How the physical metrics, especially physical intensity, and possession interact with each other, and subsequently combine to influence performance remains opaque. Therefore, we investigated the interrelationship of possession, physical metrics, and team performance in elite soccer.
Methods
Four seasons of a top European league were used to derive 80 team league performances (points), together with possession and physical data. Physical metrics were absolute distances (m) during the whole match and ball‐in‐play, and rates of distance covered (m⋅min⁻¹) as the index of physical intensity, notably when in‐possession/out‐of‐possession, in total and within five speed categories. Interrelationships of possession, physical metrics, possession, and performance were assessed with Pearson's correlations and mediation analysis.
Results
Overall possession (r = 0.794) and time out‐of‐possession within the defensive third (r = −0.797) were most strongly correlated with performance. The strong relationships between in‐possession distances and performance appeared coincidental due to greater time in‐possession. Physical intensity had a complex relationship with possession and performance, with opposite relationships according to possession status: lower physical intensity when in‐possession and higher physical intensity when out‐of‐possession were associated with possession and performance. Mediation analysis revealed the direct, independent importance of possession for team performance; however, the association of physical intensity with performance was largely (>79%) mediated by possession.
Conclusion
Based on these findings, we propose a novel model of the interrelationships between possession, physical intensity, and performance, whereby higher possession is the largest, direct contributor toward enhanced team performance, with lower physical intensity in‐possession a consequence of higher possession, but greater physical intensity when out‐of‐possession a cause of increased possession.
... Still, there are various factors, possibly more determinants, such as technical, tactical, or mental, which also greatly influence performance (Torreño, 2017). Currently, the design of soccer training sessions and tasks are based on technical-tactical and physical actions directly related to simulated game situations, to the detriment of analytical studies, due to the close relationship of these actions with the activity carried out in the matches (Carling, 2013;Barrett et al., 2020). However, the design and implementation of these training tasks can cause different results after their completion since there are endless variables that directly influence the development obtained, such as the dimension of the pitch, the number of participating players, the number of touches allowed, the tactical instructions to comply with or the work-rest ratios between series-repetitions (Akenhead and Nassis, 2016). ...
... In previous studies with GPS technology, it is obtained that Winger (8.6 m/s) is the one that reaches the highest maximum speed during an official match (Suarez-Arrones et al., 2015). Such as in previous studies with other technologies (Carling, 2013;Barnes et al., 2014; , we found a reduction in High-Intensity Distance Covered/ min, and Sprint Distance Covered/min. These results make us assume that the sample with which the TL information has been obtained in this study has a PL behavior very similar to other samples of a higher competitive level, both in friendly and official matches, so it would be interesting to analyze the variables TL in a competitive match to confirm or not the TL profile described in this study and thus obtain a better understanding of the demands of this sport (Marris et al., 2021). ...
This study aimed to record, analyze and quantify professional soccer players' technical (TL) and physical load (PL) in friendly matches to compare their records during the first and second halves and between players with different positions. Eighteen professional soccer players, 24.6 ± 2.7 years, 1.78 ± 0.3 height (m), 74.6 ± 4.5 body mass (kg), 9.8 ± 2.2 body fat (%), and 65.6 ± 2.7 maximal oxygen consumption (VO 2max , ml·kg-1 ·min-1) were monitored during six preseason friendly matches to analyze the activity profile using technical and physical variables through inertial measurement unit (IMU). No significant differences were found between the periods for the TL and PL. Significant differences were found between specific positions: Full Back (FB: n = 4), Central Defender (CD: n = 3), Midfielder (MD: n = 4), Winger (WG: n = 4), and Forward (FW: n = 3), both the TL and PL. We conclude that the PL profile based on his playing position is independent of the development of the PL shown during friendly matches. The monitoring, quantifying, and controlling of the TL added to the PL provides a more holistic vision of soccer players in friendly matches. The relative ease IMU application technology offers an alternative with less time-cost and more significant benefits than other types of technologies applied up to now.
... Another research group found differences among positions, but these differences (because of their magnitude) were very limited (23). Other research reported mixed results when positions were compared; for instance, when HSR was assessed, wide midfielders seemed to be the players who cover the greatest distance, whereas when repeated high-speed bouts were assessed, full-back, wide midfielders, and central midfielders performed more actions than central defenders or attackers (16). ...
... For such a reason, the monitoring of those metrics during the game can help practitioners to tailor the subsequent training sessions with the aim to prepare players for the competitions and correctly expose players to highspeed intensities, which may reduce the risk of hamstrings muscle injuries (8,22,28). In this study, CB covered the lowest HSR distance A previous review reported that wide midfielders seem to be the players who cover the greatest HSR distance during matches (16), which is in line with the current study because our AM players covered the greater HSR ( Figure 2). Regarding sprinting distance (Figure 3), our study confirms that the players who run greater distance are AM (2.2 m·min 21 ), ST (1.6 m·min 21 ), and WB (2.4 m·min 21 ). ...
Beato, M, Youngs, A, and Costin, AJ. The analysis of physical performance during official competitions in professional English football: Do positions, game locations, and results influence players’ game demands? J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2023—This study aimed, first, to verify if physical parameters were different between players' positions during official matches in English professional football, and second, if the game location (H and A) or results (W, L, D) affected players' physical performance. Twenty-five male professional football players of the same team were included in this data analysis (age = 27 ± 9 years) during the 2022–23 season. Players were divided into positions: center backs, wide backs, center midfielders, attacking midfielders, and strikers. The external load parameters were distance covered, high-speed running (HSR), sprinting distance, accelerations, decelerations, and high metabolic load distance (HMLD, meters > 25.5 w·kg ⁻¹ ) that were monitored using global navigation satellite systems Apex (STATSports). Linear mixed models' analysis for positions reported a significant difference in total distance ( p = 0.011), HSR ( p < 0.001), sprinting distance ( p < 0.001), accelerations ( p = 0.003), decelerations ( p = 0.002), and HMLD ( p < 0.001). Centre backs showed the lowest physical performance in the metrics analyzed, whereas players in the other positions frequently displayed a similar physical performance. Regarding locations and results, differences were only found between locations for decelerations ( p = 0.041) and between results for HMLD ( p = 0.010). In conclusion, physical performance was influenced by players' positions, whereas game location or results seem to not affect physical performance during official competitions. Consequently, practitioners can physically prepare their players independently from the location of the match or of the possible game results, whereas specific positional training is requested to optimally prepare their players.
... In football, where the main goal is to defeat the opponent, it is necessary to initially determine and improve the level of physical conditioning in order to achieve this goal and compete successfully (Ertetik & Müniroğlu, 2021). In addition, a high level of technical skill and advanced tactical behavior parameters should also be present (Carling, 2013). At this point, one of the methods used to collect data is match analysis. ...
... Based on this information, it can be suggested that researchers who want to conduct studies on this and similar topics should make analyses without ignoring the play with and without the ball in terms of physical performance. edebilmek için öncelikle fizik kondisyon düzeyinin belirlenmesi ve geliştirilmesi (Ertetik & Müniroğlu, 2021) ve yüksek düzeyde teknik beceri ve gelişmiş taktiksel davranış parametrelerinin de bir arada olması gerekir (Carling, 2013). Bu noktada veri toplamak amacı ile kullanılan metotlardan biri müsabaka analizidir. ...
The aim of the study is to compare the performance of the teams in the Bundesliga in the 2022/23 season according to the league ranking and to examine the relationship between these parameters and the points collected by the teams at the end of the season. The sample of the study consists of 612 matches played in the Bundesliga in the 2022/23 season. The data of the matches were collected from the Bundesliga official website; 8 technical, tactical, and 4 physical performance, 12 parameters in total were evaluated. Teams were group as top, middle and bottom according to their end-of-season rankings. MANOVA test was performed to reveal the difference between the teams and effect sizes were reported as partial eta squared (ηp 2). Pearson Correlation Test was applied to determine the relationships between the performance parameters of the teams and the points they collected. As a result of the analyses, it was determined that the top ranked teams had a statistically significant difference in the number of goals scored and conceded, number of shots and total points compared to the middle and bottom ranked teams. Significant positive relationships were found between total points and possession of the ball, accurate passing, goals scored, shots scored at very high and excellent level, and significant negative relationships were found with goals conceded and number of air balls won at high level. As a result, it can be said that the teams should passes the ball more, use the ball positively, utilise the opportunities positively, increase the number of goals and shots scored and decrease the number of goals conceded in order to take their place in the top ranks.
... This performance is characterized by the interaction of technical, tactical, physical, physiological, and psychological components (Vergonis et al., 2019). In football, where the main goal is to defeat the opponent, it is necessary to initially determine and improve the level of physical conditioning in order to achieve this goal and compete successfully (Ertetik & Müniroğlu, 2021) and, a high level of technical skill and advanced tactical behaviour parameters should also be together (Carling, 2013). In football, which is the world's most popular and most watched sport, the FIFA World Cup, which is undoubtedly the biggest tournament of football and is watched by billions of people in more than 200 countries, is organised every 4 years (Acar et al., 2009). ...
... ©JROLSS during the FIFA World Cup tournament, stated that at this level, the physical performance of countries is not a factor that distinguishes between winners and losers, but that technical performances have a greater impact on the outcome of the game compared to physical parameters, as technical parameters are significantly different between two teams within a game. As a result, studies in the literature argue that technical/tactical skills will ultimately discriminate between more successful and less successful teams (DiSalvo et al., 2009;Rampinini et al., 2009; Bradley et al., 2013b;Carling, 2013;Di Salvo et al., 2013; Rumpf et al., 2016). As a result, it can be said that in today's football, countries perform almost equally in terms of tactical and physical performance in terms of going to the result and establishing superiority, but countries that have more possession of the ball and make positive use of the opportunities they have, make a difference, and reach the result. ...
The examination of the technical-tactical and physical performances of countries after major organisations in football has become important in today's football world. In this direction, the aim of this study is to reveal the differences of the technical, tactical and physical performances of the countries taking part in the 2022 FIFA World Cup and their relationship with the tournament success. The data were collected through FIFA official website; 8 technical-tactical and 2 physical performances, 10 parameters in total were evaluated. As a result of the analyses, statistically significant differences were found between the data on the number of accurate passes, percentage and number of goals of the countries that made it to the last 16; the data on the number of goals and successful tackles of the countries that made it to the semi-finals and the data on the countries that did not make it to the next round. It has been revealed that there is a moderate and high level positive relationship between the percentage of possession, total and accurate number and percentage of passes, goal expectancy and total running distance and total number of goals, and a moderate level positive relationship between the number of successful tackles and total points of the countries that won the matches. As a result, it can be said that countries are almost equal in terms of tactical and physical performance in terms of going to the result and establishing superiority in today's football, but countries that have more possession of the ball and utilise the opportunities in a positive way will make a difference.
... These methods were highly laborious and therefore quantifying the movement profiles of large sample sizes were challenging. Movement analysis has now progressed to automated video motion systems that are non-invasive and can be used to analyse movement, technical skills and tactical information [10,16]. The majority of contemporary research in AF now adopts the use of GPS which can provide speed and distance-based indices, accelerometry and metabolic power information. ...
... Collectively, these studies have demonstrated evidence of match-related fatigue following the most intense periods of match-play and during the final quarter of a game. Recently, authors have expressed caution when interpreting findings related to match-induced fatigue that do not account for time spent in possession or when the ball is out of play [16,23]. Theoretically, reductions in movement intensities may be the result of stoppages in match-play that primarily involve low-intensity activity [18,19]. ...
This study examined the influence of player position and match quarter on activity profiles during the phases of play in Australian Football. Global positioning satellite data was collected for one season from an Australian Football League team for nomadic, key position and ruck players (age: 24.8 ± 4.2 years, body mass: 88.3 ± 8.7 kg, height: 1.88 ± 0.8 m). Separate linear mixed models and effect sizes were used to analyse differences between positions and game quarter within each phase of play for values of distance, speed and metabolic power indices. There were clear differences between positions for low-speed running, high-speed running, total distance and average speed. Nomadic players generally recorded the highest match running outputs, followed by key position players and ruckmen. Within each position, offence and defence involved the highest intensities, followed by contested play and then stoppage periods. Across the four quarters, there were small to large reductions in average speed, high-speed running, high power and energy expenditure during offence, defence and contested play, but not during stoppages. Accordingly, conditioning staff should consider the intermittent intensities of the phases of match-play for each position to optimally prepare players for competition. Reductions in match intensities were evident during active periods of play providing implications for real-time monitoring to optimise the timing of rotations.
... Mental fatigue can lead to further reductions in tactical performance 20 and it has been shown to impair technical skill execution, 21 both are important components of intermittent sports performance 22,23 and key predictors of success. 24,25 These cognitive impairments have the potential to threaten the health and performance of athletes in competition and increase the risk of injury, 26 particularly in a sport where complex tactical decision-making and the technical execution of skills have a large influence on match outcomes. 27 Previous reports have highlighted methodological shortcomings pertaining to measurement sensitivity, poor research design, and lack of experimental control. ...
There is limited research on female football players, especially related to their physical and cognitive performance under different climactic conditions. We analyzed the impact of a hot environmental temperature on physical performance and anticipation in elite female football players during a fatigue‐inducing intermittent protocol. Elite female players (n = 21) performed the countermovement jump (CMJ) and responded to filmed sequences of offensive play under two distinct environmental temperatures (i.e., mild environment temperature‐ 20°C and 30% rh versus hot environment temperature‐ 38°C and 80% rh), interspersed by 1‐week interval. Linear mixed models were used. CMJ performance declined following the intermittent protocol on both temperature conditions (p < 0.05). Moreover, there were significant main effects for protocol on CMJ speed (m/s) (p = 0.001; ηp² = 0.12), CMJ power (p = 0.002; ηp² = 0.11), and CMJ Heightmax (p = 0.002; ηp² = 0.12). After performing the intermittent protocol, exposure to a hot temperature caused a greater decline in anticipation accuracy (mild temperature = 64.41% vs. hot temperature = 53.44%; p < 0.001). Our study shows impaired performance in elite female football players following an intermittent protocol under hot compared with mild environmental conditions. We report decreased performance in both CMJ and anticipation performance under hotter conditions. The results reveal that exposure to hot temperatures had a negative effect on the accuracy of their anticipatory behaviors. We consider the implication of the work for research and training interventions.
... Research has been developed to analyse different factors that affect soccer performance: technical, tactical, mental and physical/physiological areas. Of them all, physical and physiological aspects have received the most attention [2][3][4]. Previous literature has reported that soccer players run, on average, 9-13 km, with 8-9% covered at speeds above 20 km · h −1 , and 2-3% at speeds above 25 km · h −1 [5]. Likewise, it has been established that during the game, soccer players face significant demands in terms of accelerations and decelerations, contributing to 7-10% and 5-7% of the total player load, respectively [6]. ...
The aims of this study were to compare the running performance of possession and position games and to describe the external load of the same position game played on pitches of different dimensions. Using a GPS system (WIMU Pro, RealTrack Systems, Almería, Spain), the running demands of 25 professional soccer players were monitored during 18 possession (without a standardized role position) and 18 positional (with a specific role position) games of 9 vs. 9 + 2 floaters. Each format was developed in small (< 60 m2 per payer), medium (60–90 m2 per player) and large (> 90 m2 per player) sizes. Position games obtained significantly lower distance covered, peak speed and player load values than possession games (all p < 0.05). However, position games obtained significantly higher values of maximal acceleration, maximal deceleration, accelerations higher than 3 m · s−2 and decelerations lower than -3 m · s−2 than possession games (all p < 0.05). Likewise, large position games obtained significantly higher values of distance covered, distance covered > 21 km · h−1, peak speed and player load than small and medium sizes. Large size also showed significantly higher values of maximal acceleration and deceleration than small size, significantly fewer accelerations and decelerations, and fewer accelerations lower than 3 m · s−2 and decelerations higher than -3 m · s−2 compared to medium and small size (all p < 0.05). Practitioners should keep in mind the use of these games and their size to modify the external load of the players during their training.
... Junge et al. (2000) reported that soccer players with a higher propensity for anger and less ability to manage their anger are more prone to committing fouls. By contrast, running distance has been traditionally regarded as a key indicator for assessing players' physical condition (Carling, 2013;Carling and Dupont, 2011;Dolci et al., 2020;Gregson et al., 2010;Howe and Boden, 2017). For instance, Carling and Dupont (2011) examined the relationship between declined physical performance and reduction in skill-related performance, utilizing three variables to gauge physical performance: total distance covered, distance covered in high-speed running, and total distance covered with individual ball possession. ...
... To improve physical capacities, it is necessary for coaches to accurately determine not just internal load (heart rate, blood lactate, and rating of perceived exertion) but also external load (distance covered in different speed zones) induced by matches and training. Thanks to new technologies such as GPS and multi-camera computerized tracking systems, it is straightforward to determine distances covered and estimated energy expenditure by players in matches and training (Buchheit et al., 2015;Carling, 2013). In this way, training plans can be created that align with the structure of matches and the consequent demands on players during matches. ...
This study examined variations in match physical performances of Turkish Super League soccer players over four consecutive seasons taking into account playing position. Data were derived from 1224 different match indices for 17997 observations of 25 different teams. These data were collected over the four seasons from 2015–16 to 2018–19 utilizing a multi-camera computerized tracking system. Playing positions were categorized as follows: central defender (CD), external defender (ED), central midfielder (CM), external midfielder (EM), and forward (FWR). The data analysed covered total distance, as well as distances covered in the following conditions: high-speed running (HSR, 20-23.9 km.h-1), sprinting (> 24 km.h-1), high metabolic power (HMP; from 20 to 35 W·kg-1), elevated metabolic power (EMP; from 35 to 55 W·kg-1), and maximal metabolic power (MMP; > 55 W·kg-1). Players in the CM position were found to cover a significantly greater total distance, as well as significantly greater HMP and EMP distances than all other positions, while those in EM and ED positions engaged in significantly greater high-speed running and sprint distance than all other positions (p
... Despite this, many quantitative development protocols implemented within soccer often focus on general athletic attributes (e.g., endurance, strength, speed, and agility) as opposed to key technical and tactical actions (e.g., passes, shots, tackles, set pieces etc). However, due to their association with match success [10,11], coaches routinely prioritise technical and tactical aspects during training sessions [12]. Therefore, for player development and training to be considered truly comprehensive, accurate measures of technical and tactical performance are warranted [13]. ...
This study aimed to identify professional soccer practitioners’ perceptions of the application of performance analysis technology within a single academy club. Secondary aims were to understand the importance that practitioners place on monitoring technical and tactical player characteristics, current practices, and barriers to implementing wearable technology. Utilising a mixed method design, forty-four professional soccer academy practitioners (Age = 32 ± 5.8; Years of experience = 8.5 ± 6.2) completed an online survey intended to examine present trends, professional practices, and perceptions regarding the monitoring of technical and tactical metrics. Frequency and percentages of responses for individual items were calculated. Subsequently, eleven participants who were directly involved with the monitoring of players were recruited to participate in a semi-structured interview. Interview data was transcribed and analysed using a combination of deductive and inductive approaches to identify key themes. The main findings across both phases of the study were that (1) technical and tactical metrics are monitored more frequently in matches (Technical: 89%; tactical: 91%) than training (Technical: 80%; Tactical 64%), predominantly due to time constraints and staffing numbers. Accordingly, practitioners believe that it would be beneficial to have an automated way of tracking technical (79%) and tactical (71%) metrics and would consider using a foot-mounted IMU to do so (technical (68%) and tactical (57%)). (2) Monitoring technical and tactical metrics is beneficial to assist with player development and to enrich feedback provision (3) Key stake holders, coaches and players should be informed of the relevance and rationale for monitoring. (4) For successful implementation and continued uptake, the information delivered needs to be both meaningful and easy to understand. Findings suggest that although participants appreciate the need to collect technical and tactical metrics, they are keen to ensure that wearable-derived data does not replace experiential and contextual knowledge. Accordingly, practitioners need to work closely with coaches to determine the contexts in which metrics may or may not prove useful. However, as the sample comprised of participants from a single academy, further studies including more practitioners are warranted. Likewise, future research could also extend to include academy soccer players perceptions too.
... In any case, home teams seem to be forced to get a good result when they play at home.MatOut was not included in the final predictive model. Nevertheless, it is known that match status has a big influence on the adopted strategy of the teams during a match, which accounts for the fact that players do not always use their maximal physical capacity for an entire match[2]. Changes in the match status create special needs within the team, being particularly affected the different positions in a playing system[30]. ...
This study aimed to describe the team's accumulated physical response per minute considering only the effective playing time (EPT) attending to different contextual and strategic variables in the Spanish Football First Division (LaLiga Santander). A sample of 2,959 performances was included in the analysis, considering a four-year period of analysis (from 2016–17 to 2019–20). The physical variables were: the total distance covered with
(DTminPOS) and without (DTminNOpos) possession of the ball, and distance covered at > 21 km·h-1 with possession (DT21minPOS) and without (DT21minNOpos). Two contextual variables, i.e. Place (Home/Away) and Score (Lost/ Draw/Win), and two strategic variables, i.e. level of effective playing time (LevelETP) and level of possession of the ball (LevelPOS), were analysed. The teams ran more without possession of the ball than with possession; nevertheless, the teams that had less possession of the ball had higher values in the distance covered at > 21 km·h-1 with possession of the ball and vice versa. Furthermore, the strategic variables also influenced the physical response (DT and DT21) of the teams, LevelETP and LevelPOS, although with interactive effects: longer playing time, less accumulated distance, and greater possession, greater accumulated distance in the defensive phase, both per min. The findings of this study may offer important practical implications to practitioners to assess the physical performances of the players in matches because it is crucial to integrate in the analysis the different contextual and strategic variables where the match has taken place to assess the performances of the teams.
... Football is a sport characterized by high-intensity physical actions such as sprints, jumps, and accelerations, interspersed with low-intensity actions such as jogging, walking, and even passive breaks [1][2][3][4]. These demands can be demonstrated by the total distances covered, which can vary between 9 and 13 km, and, typically, midfielders present the highest values [1,[5][6][7][8]. ...
The current study verified the acute responses of participants to a football match in terms of blood markers. Sixteen elite U-18 male football players were divided into two groups: experimental (EG, n = 10), who played a friendly football match; and control (CG), who were not exposed to any physical exertion. Intravenous blood samples were collected from both groups at baseline, pre-match, half-time, and post-match. The blood analysis consisted of four groups: immunological (leukocytes, platelets, and cortisol), muscle damage (creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase), metabolic (lactate, glucose, erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and urea), and electrolytic (sodium, calcium, and potassium). Edwards’ training impulse demonstrated that the first half was more demanding than the second half (p = 0.020). Significant changes between time points and groups were observed for leukocytes (pre-match: 6920 ± 1949; post-match: 13,890 ± 3292; p ≤ 0.05) and cortisol (pre-match: 10.78 ± 3.63; post-match: 19.15 ± 7.40; p ≤ 0.05). CK (pre-match: 516.50 ± 248.38; post-match: 713.70 ± 308.20; p ≤ 0.05) and LDH (pre-match: 348.80 ± 36.49; post-match: 414.80 ± 26.55; p ≤ 0.05) increased significantly across the time points for the EG, with no difference between the groups, however. Raised lactate (pre-match: 1.05 ± 0.32; post-match: 3.24 ± 1.60; p ≤ 0.05) and glucose (pre-match: 72.54 ± 9.76; post-match: 101.42 ± 19.87; p ≤ 0.05) differences between the groups at half-time were also observed. These current findings provide helpful information to better understand football match demands regarding physiological effects.
... The relative distance covered by the soccer players was recorded in m.min -1 according to previous studies (Carling, 2013;Pons, et al., 2019): TD/min. (i.e., total distance covered by a player per minute); distance covered at intense running (i.e., distance covered between 18-21 km.h -1 per minute); distance covered at high-speed running (i.e., distance covered between 21-24 km.h -1 per minute); and sprinting (i.e., distance covered at more than 24 km.h -1 per minute) (Pons, et al., 2021). ...
This study aimed to analyze the changes in match physical demands in professional soccer players after sustaining a hamstring injury, which was categorized based on injury severity. Seventy-two hamstring injuries involving sixty-four professional soccer players from the Spanish LaLiga™ were considered for this study. All injuries were classified according to their severity as moderate (resulting in eight to 28 missed days) and major (resulting in more than 28 missed days). Mediacoach video-tracking system collected time and external load variables and subsequently compared them between the pre-injury and return-to-play periods. The analyzed variables included distance covered at different velocities (i.e., total distance, at 18-21 km.h −1 , at 21-24 km.h −1 , and at more than 24 km.h-1), the number of sprints, accelerations, decelerations, and high metabolic load distance (HMLD). The results showed that players with both moderate and major injuries played fewer minutes after injury (p<.001 to p<.05) and experienced a decrease in maximum speed (p<.01 to p<.05), covering less total distance (p<.05) and exhibiting a decrease (p<.05) in average speed (only observed in players with major injuries). Additionally, moderately injured players experienced a reduction in the number of maximum accelerations (p<.05) and decelerations (p<.05), high metabolic load distance/ min (p<.05), and average accelerations (p<.05). Furthermore, a significant reduction in the magnitude of maximum decelerations was observed in players with major injuries (p<.05). These findings highlight the importance of implementing strategies that enable the attainment of initial levels of high-intensity actions and maximum speed in reconditioning programs following hamstring injuries.
... In soccer, where the main goal is to defeat the opponent, it is necessary to initially determine and improve the level of physical conditioning in order to achieve this goal and compete successfully (Ertetik & Müniroğlu, 2021). In addition, a high level of technical skill and advanced tactical behaviour parameters should also be together (Carling, 2013). At this point, one of the methods used to collect data is match analysis. ...
The aim of this study is to compare the performance of the matches played in the Bundesliga and Bundesliga 2 in the 2022-2023 season and to reveal the factors affecting the league ranking. Data were collected from the Bundesliga official website; 5 technical-tactical and 4 physical performance, 9 parameters in total were evaluated. Independent Samples T-Test was used to determine the differences between the groups, Pearson Correlation Test was used to determine the relationships between the parameters. As a result of the analyses, it was determined that the number of high intensity runs and sprints in the matches was significantly higher in BL. In addition, there were no significant relationships between the physical performance parameters in Bundesliga (BL) and the points collected by the teams at the end of the league and the league ranking; these relationships were determined to be with different levels of technical parameters. In Bundesliga 2 (BL2), along with technical parameters, significant relationships were found at different levels between running distance per match and league ranking and number of goals scored. As a result, it can be said that the teams in the top leagues play faster football than the teams in the lower leagues. In addition, since the teams in the higher leagues perform almost equally in terms of tactical and physical performance, it can be said that the teams in the lower leagues should utilise their opportunities positively in order to be successful, while the teams in the lower leagues should also have a higher running distance per match.
... Subsequently, training sessions can be strategically designed by drawing insights from the technical and tactical analysis of matches. Moreover, teams can prepare for upcoming matches by conducting comprehensive assessments of their opponents (Carling, 2013). ...
Performance analysis is integral to modern football, providing data-driven insights for enhancing strategies, player development, and tactical behaviour. Collective behaviours in football, akin to natural systems, have gained attention. Team coordination, passing networks, and player movement dynamics are critical for analysing performance and team cohesion. Factors such as team length and width contribute to understanding collective behaviour. This study explores factors influencing teams' performance in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, including ball possession, field zones, team width, team length, distance to the goal line, and area covered by the team. This study examined 64 matches played among the 32 teams. Analysis reveals the significance of goal-scoring ability, highlighting that winning teams score significantly more goals than draws and losses. Contrary to common belief, ball possession percentages do not significantly differ among these outcomes, indicating its nuanced role. Within possession and out-of-possession phases, strategies like line height, team length, and team depth vary little across different outcomes, suggesting the effectiveness of balanced approaches. In the final third phase, winning teams employ higher defensive lines and deeper formations. In conclusion, this study illuminates the multifaceted nature of football performance. Goal-scoring ability and field zone-specific strategies play pivotal roles. Ball possession's influence is more complex than previously thought. Understanding these dynamics can inform teams and coaches for more informed and effective performance optimization, emphasizing the need for nuanced analysis and future research.
... One of the limitations of this study is that it did not incorporate physical fitness data. However, technical indicators are more likely to predict a team's success than physical indicators [35,36], and thus this study can still provide an important reference for practitioners. ...
The 2022 World Cup used new Enhanced Football Intelligence (EFI) data, stoppage time calculation methods and substitution rules that were introduced by FIFA. The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of EFI in match analysis and to identify the key indicators that influence the match and provide a reference for coaches’ tactical design and training. Data were derived from the FIFA website, including EFI data for 48 matches at the group stage of the Qatar World Cup. A total of 46 indicators were used for analysis and the average values of the corresponding indicators for the different competition results were used in the analysis to identify
the key index that determines the outcome of the competition. Apart from scoring more goals and having more assists, winning teams had significantly more attempts on target than drawing and losing teams (p < 0.05); Winning teams had significantly more attempts inside the penalty area, completed defensive line breaks and receptions behind the defensive line than losing teams (p < 0.05). There is no difference in possession between matches with different results (p > 0.05). Goals were significantly correlated with completed defensive line breaks and receptions behind the defensive line (r = 0.27–0.30, p < 0.01). Attempts on target was significantly positively correlated with receptions, final third entries and line breaks (r = 0.31–0.67, p < 0.01) and negatively correlated with defensive pressures applied (r = -0.35, p < 0.01). The efficiency of the offense is more important. Teams need to have more receptions, final third entries and line breaks to get more shots on target rather than possession. This study may help coaches to interpret the game from a multi-dimensional perspective and coaches can use EFI to help their teams improve their match performance.
... Performance analysis has an important role in evaluating the technical and tactical components of the performance exhibited by teams in sports with complex structures, such as football . It is observed that the analysis of on-field performance in both physical and technical-tactical criteria has become a necessity in national and international sports organizations where the level of competition is at its highest, especially in football (Carling, 2013;González-Rodenas et al., 2020;Modric et al., 2022;Özçilingir & Bozdağan, 2021;Pratas et al., 2016;Tenga et al., 2010). Performance analysis, which is carried out based-on observation or with technological tools within predetermined criteria, contributes to the holistic evaluation technical and tactical behaviors that occur on the field, both as a team and individually González-Ródenas et al., 2020;Gözübüyük & Karaç, 2021;Gürkan et al., 2017;Işıkdemir, 2020) and to determine the emerging advantages and disadvantages (Matos et al., 2021;Mitrotasios et al., 2019). ...
The aim of this study is to classify the goals scored in the 2020-2021 football season in Turkish Super League (TSL), English Premier League (EPL), and French League 1 (FL1) according to technical and tactical criteria, and to reveal the differences and similarities between the leagues. The scope of the research consists of a total of 3209 goals scored in 1180 football matches played in 3 different European Leagues in the 2020-2021 season. Each goal was classified according to the minute interval, the area where the attacking move started, the number of touches by the player before scoring, and the goals scored from set pieces. The frequency and percentage distributions of all data were calculated separately for each league. According to the results obtained, the most goals were scored in TSL (f: 1136 goals), while the least goals were scored in EPL (f: 1024 goals). Looking at the distribution of total goals by minute intervals, the most goals were scored in the last quarter of the game in TSL (f:199; 17.5%), EPL (f:166; 16.2%), and FL1 (f:186; 17.7%), while the least goals were scored in the added time of the first half. When looking at the number of touches by the player who scored the goal, it was found that the most goals were scored with one touch. Regarding the direction of the attacking move, it was observed that the rate of goals scored after wing attacks was lower in FL1 than in TSL and EPL, but the number of goals scored from central attacks was higher. According to the results, it is understood that the teams in the leagues have different game structures, which are decisive in determining the goal criteria.
... Performance analysis has an important role in evaluating the technical and tactical components of the performance exhibited by teams in sports with complex structures, such as football . It is observed that the analysis of on-field performance in both physical and technical-tactical criteria has become a necessity in national and international sports organizations where the level of competition is at its highest, especially in football (Carling, 2013;González-Rodenas et al., 2020;Modric et al., 2022;Özçilingir & Bozdağan, 2021;Pratas et al., 2016;Tenga et al., 2010). Performance analysis, which is carried out based-on observation or with technological tools within predetermined criteria, contributes to the holistic evaluation technical and tactical behaviors that occur on the field, both as a team and individually González-Ródenas et al., 2020;Gözübüyük & Karaç, 2021;Gürkan et al., 2017;Işıkdemir, 2020) and to determine the emerging advantages and disadvantages (Matos et al., 2021;Mitrotasios et al., 2019). ...
The aim of this study is to classify the goals scored in the 2020-2021 football season in Turkish Super League (TSL), English Premier League (EPL), and French League 1 (FL1) according to technical and tactical criteria, and to reveal the differences and similarities between the leagues. The scope of the research consists of a total of 3209 goals scored in 1180 football matches played in 3 different European Leagues in the 2020-2021 season. Each goal was classified according to the minute interval, the area where the attacking move started, the number of touches by the player before scoring, and the goals scored from set pieces. The frequency and percentage distributions of all data were calculated separately for each league. According to the results obtained, the most goals were scored in TSL (f: 1136 goals), while the least goals were scored in EPL (f: 1024 goals). Looking at the distribution of total goals by minute intervals, the most goals were scored in the last quarter of the game in TSL (f:199; 17.5%), EPL (f:166; 16.2%), and FL1 (f:186; 17.7%), while the least goals were scored in the added time of the first half. When looking at the number of touches by the player who scored the goal, it was found that the most goals were scored with one touch. Regarding the direction of the attacking move, it was observed that the rate of goals scored after wing attacks was lower in FL1 than in TSL and EPL, but the number of goals scored from central attacks was higher. According to the results, it is understood that the teams in the leagues have different game structures, which are decisive in determining the goal criteria.
... High heat strain decreases vigilance and reaction test performance [60], and increases perceptions of fatigue and discomfort [61,62], frequency of unsafe behaviours [63] and error rates in a visual-motor tracking test [64], flight simulators [65] and pilots in flight [66]. Mental fatigue resulting from hyperthermia can lead to further reductions in tactical performance [67] and has also been shown to impair technical skill execution [68]-both accepted constructs of intermittent sports performance [69,70] and key differentiators of success [71,72]. Combined, these cognitive impairments have the potential to threaten the health and performance of athletes in competition (where execution of cognitively complex tactical decision-making and technically complex skills is frequent and has a large influence on match outcomes [73]). ...
Background
Hyperthermia (and associated health and performance implications) can be a significant problem for athletes and teams involved in intermittent sports. Quantifying the highest thermal strain (i.e. peak core body temperature [peak Tc]) from a range of intermittent sports would enhance our understanding of the thermal requirements of sport and assist in making informed decisions about training or match-day interventions to reduce thermally induced harm and/or performance decline.
Objective
The objective of this systematic review was to synthesise and characterise the available thermal strain data collected in competition from intermittent sport athletes.
Methods
A systematic literature search was performed on Web of Science, MEDLINE, and SPORTDiscus to identify studies up to 17 April 2023. Electronic databases were searched using a text mining method to provide a partially automated and systematic search strategy retrieving terms related to core body temperature measurement and intermittent sport. Records were eligible if they included core body temperature measurement during competition, without experimental intervention that may influence thermal strain (e.g. cooling), in healthy, adult, intermittent sport athletes at any level. Due to the lack of an available tool that specifically includes potential sources of bias for physiological responses in descriptive studies, a methodological evaluation checklist was developed and used to document important methodological considerations. Data were not meta-analysed given the methodological heterogeneity between studies and therefore were presented descriptively in tabular and graphical format.
Results
A total of 34 studies were selected for review; 27 were observational, 5 were experimental (2 parallel group and 3 repeated measures randomised controlled trials), and 2 were quasi-experimental (1 parallel group and 1 repeated measures non-randomised controlled trial). Across all included studies, 386 participants (plus participant numbers not reported in two studies) were recruited after accounting for shared data between studies. A total of 4 studies (~ 12%) found no evidence of hyperthermia, 24 (~ 71%) found evidence of ‘modest’ hyperthermia (peak Tc between 38.5 and 39.5 °C), and 6 (~ 18%) found evidence of ‘marked’ hyperthermia (peak Tc of 39.5 °C or greater) during intermittent sports competition.
Conclusions
Practitioners and coaches supporting intermittent sport athletes are justified to seek interventions aimed at mitigating the high heat strain observed in competition. More research is required to determine the most effective interventions for this population that are practically viable in intermittent sports settings (often constrained by many competing demands). Greater statistical power and homogeneity among studies are required to quantify the independent effects of wet bulb globe temperature, competition duration, sport and level of competition on peak Tc, all of which are likely to be key modulators of the thermal strain experienced by competing athletes.
Registration
This systematic review was registered on the Open Science Framework (https://osf.io/vfb4s; https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/EZYFA, 4 January 2021).
... However, these results support recent and relevant evidence that the higher the level of competition, the lower the presence of RAE (Brustio et al., 2018;Fleming & Fleming, 2012;Götze & Hoppe, 2021). This can be explained by the increasing importance of psychological, technical, and tactical indicators at the elite level, supplanting the possible advantages created by the physical and anthropometric variables in the youth categories (Carling, 2013;Rampinini et al., 2009;Vestberg et al., 2020). This reasoning is also valid in explaining the differences in the results of this study with others that found greater prominence of the RAE for the positions of goalkeeper and defender, attributing this fact to the physical characteristics required for such positions (Li et al., 2020;Romann & Fuchslocher, 2011;Sedano et al., 2015). ...
This present study aimed to verify the impact of birthplace and birthdate on the identification and development of talented Brazilian female players. The sample comprised 876 players from the Brazilian Serie A1 Championship between 2003 and 2020. Players' birthdate and birthplace data from their hometowns were collected. The birthplace's variables used were city size and Human Development Index (HDI). Descriptive statistics, chi-square, and Pearson correlation tests were performed. Results indicated that the players who were born in small cities (up to 100,000 inhabitants) and large urban centres (> 6,000,000 inhabitants), also with high HDI (> 0.701), have a greater chance to play in the most important tournament of the country. Results did not indicate significant differences in the frequencies of players born in each quartile according to players' positional roles. Based on these findings, it is possible to conclude that the environmental conditions of birthplace are essential to promote initial conditions for the training processes related to soccer. They bring a relevant contribution to facilitate the pathway to high-level performance.
... Running demands monitoring during professional soccer leagues provides applied knowledge to construct optimal training programs over the season (Carling, 2013). The current literature is vast and has helped characterize the match running performance and determine various variables that potentially affect the distance-and accelerometry-based variables (Goncalves et al., 2021;Klemp et al., 2022;Paul et al., 2015). ...
Purpose
This study aimed to look into the effects of competitive standards based on contextual match factors on external and internal load in elite Brazilian professional soccer players. Forty-six professional male soccer players participated in this descriptive study.
Methods
The physical demands were monitored by distance-based measures and rating perceived exertion-based training load during 76 matches at 2 competitive standards: 1st and 2nd Brazilian leagues.
Results
Home and away matches played in the 2nd Brazilian national league presented greater values of the total distance (TD) and moderate-intensity running (MSR) [p < 0;05, effect size (ES) = small-moderate] than the 1st Brazilian national league. When losing and winning matches in the top national, players covered shorter TD, MSR, and high-speed running distances (p < 0;05, ES = small-moderate). The matches against intermediate and weak opposition required high values of TD and MSR (p < 0;05, ES = small-moderate) in the lower national league.
Conclusions
In a Brazilian league, our results highlight the differences in the external load of top and lower national leagues according to contextual match factors. The evidence emphasizes the importance of developing appropriate attributes to prepare professional soccer players for various competitive standards.
... Most of the activities performed by team sport players are intermittent in nature, frequently requiring changes of direction, and are usually performed over short distances (14,15,25). Such short distances and constantly changing running characteristics may indeed affect the reliability of the GNSS units (6). ...
Beato, M, Wren, C, and de Keijzer, KL. The interunit reliability of global navigation satellite systems Apex (STATSports) metrics during a standardized intermittent running activity. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2023—This study aimed to evaluate the interunit reliability of global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) STATSports Apex metrics and to assess which metrics can be used by practitioners for the monitoring of short-distance intermittent running activities. Fifty-four male soccer players were enrolled (age = 20.7 ± 1.9 years, body mass = 73.2 ± 9.5 kg, and height = 1.76 ± 0.07 m) in this observational study. 10-Hz GNSS Apex (STATSports, Northern Ireland, Newry) units recorded total distance, high speed running (HSR), accelerations, decelerations, peak speed, average metabolic power, metabolic distance, dynamic stress load (DSL), relative distance, and speed intensity. The standardized intermitted running protocol used was a Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1. This study reported that Apex interunit analysis did not show any significant difference (delta difference and 95% confidence interval [CIs]) in total distance = 2.6 (−2.6; 7.9) m, HSR = 3.2 (−0.2; 6.8) m, accelerations = 0.09 (−0.9; 1.1), decelerations = 0.3 (−0.4; 1.1), peak speed = 0.02 (−0.03; 0.07) m·s ⁻¹ , average metabolic power = 0.01 (−0.02; 0.04) W·kg ⁻¹ , metabolic distance = 0.9 (−6.2; 8.0) m, DSL = 2.8 (−5.6; 10.7) au, relative distance = 0.14 (−0.19; 0.47) m·min ⁻¹ , and speed intensity = 0.21 (−0.21; 0.64) au. All metrics presented a delta d between trivial to small. The interunit intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was good or excellent for all metrics, with the exception of DSL, which was considered questionable . In conclusion, this study reports that all the metrics analysis in this study presents a low interunit bias and high reliability (ICC), with the exception of DSL.
... In this line, the most commonly studied external load measures are power output, distance, speed, acceleration/deceleration, time-motion analysis, and strength function 5 . The analysis of match running performance has been conducted for various purposes, including to distinguish the profiles of different playing positions, or to assess the acute fatigue, but it has been argued that more tactical-strategic perspectives need to be considered 6 due to the nature of the game. Investigations that relate physical demands and tactical individual actions during football matches are very limited. ...
We examine the differences in running performance demands and tactical individual actions for male amateur football wingers in four tactical formations: 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2, 3-5-2 and 3-4-2-1 during an entire season. Running demands were assessed in terms of: total distance run; distance traveled at 3 different speed ranges (Jogging, Running, and Sprinting); and number of accelerations registered in two different magnitude bands (Medium and High) while tactical individual actions were assessed through 3269 team match observations. 3-5-2 formation entails the highest running demands, exhibiting significant disparities in Jogging when compared to 4-2-3-1 and 3-5-2, in Sprinting when comparing 4-2-3-1 with both the 3-5-2 and the 3-4-2-1 formations. Moreover, the wingers in the 3-5-2 formation demonstrate the lowest scores in various tactical individual actions, including Shots: 3-5-2 vs. 3-4-2-1; Goal Area Shots: 3-5-2 vs. 3-4-2-1; and Dribbles: 3-5-2 vs. 3-4-2-1. Finally, wingers registered the highest levels of defensive tactical individual actions in 4-4-2 and 3-5-2. Findings suggest it would be of benefit for coaches to focus on formulating specific training plans to address the specific demands placed on wingers playing in these amateur matches and running performance demands and tactical individual actions should be considered together with tactical formation.
... In addition, previous research has predominantly suggested that whole match physical metrics, typically distances, have limited/minimal influence on overall team performance at the elite level, 26,27 particularly in comparison to the importance of a players technical/tactical ability. However, calculating the physical metrics as a rate during BIP which accurately captures the physical intensity of match-play, may be more strongly associated with team performance than the 'traditional' low-resolution, aggregate whole match distances and warrants further investigation. ...
The physical demands of soccer match-play have typically been assessed using a low-resolution whole match approach ignoring whether the ball is in or out of play (BIP/BOP) and during these periods which team has possession. This study investigated the effect of fundamental match structure variables (BIP/BOP, in/out of possession) on the physical demands, and especially intensity, of elite match-play. For 1083 matches from a major European league, whole match duration, and player physical tracking data, were divided into BIP/BOP, and in/out of possession periods throughout the match, using on-ball event data. These distinct phases were used to derive absolute (m) and rate (m·min-1) of distance covered in total and within six speed categories during BIP/BOP and in/out possession. The rate of distance covered, an index of physical intensity, was >2-fold greater during BIP vs BOP. Whole match total distance covered was confounded by BIP time and poorly associated with physical intensity during BIP (r=0.36). Whole match rates of distance covered substantially underestimated those during BIP, particularly for higher running speeds (∼-62%). Ball possession markedly effected physical intensity, with the rates of distance covered running (+31%), at high-speed (+30%) and in total (+7%) greater out than in possession. Whole match physical metrics underestimated the physical intensity during BIP, and thus the rate(s) of distance covered during BIP are recommended for accurate measurement of physical intensity in elite soccer. The greater demands of being out of possession supports a possession based tactical approach to minimise fatigue and its negative consequences.
... Untuk jarak total, beberapa hasil penelitian menunjukkan pemain bertahan tengah dan penyerang tengahn (striker) menghasilkan jarak tempuh terendah, sementara pemain gelandang tengah menghasilkan yang tertinggi (Dellal et al., 2011) (Gaudino et al., 2013). Untuk kinerja berkecepatan tinggi, pemain sayap (baik penyerang maupun bertahan) menghasilkan jarak tertinggi pada sprint dan intensitas tinggi, sementara pemain yang beroperasi di daerah tengah (center midfilder) menghasilkan kecepatan dan intensitas yang terendah (Carling, 2013). Repetisi akselerasi yang dihasilkan oleh posisi bermain mengikuti pola yang sama, antara pemain sayap yang berakselerasi secara signifikan lebih banyak dari pada pemain tengah (Ingebrigtsen et al., 2015) (Dalen et al., 2016). ...
Sepakbola sebagai olahraga tim sekaligus permainan yang kompleks membutuhkan kemampuan taktis, teknis, dan fisik tingkat tinggi untuk berhasil. Selama pertandingan kompetitif, kombinasi acak dari aktivitas eksplosif dan kuat, bersama dengan gerakan teknis dan taktis, dilakukan secara berselang selama 90 menit. Tujuan dari penulisan ini untuk mendiskusikan tuntutan fisik dan karakteristik dari permainan sepakbola. Penulisan artikel ini menggunakan teknik review literatur yang berfokus pada tuntutan fisik dan karakteristik kinerja pemain sepakbola yang secara khusus menyajikan perbedaannya pada masing-masing posisi bermain pada sepakbola tingkat elit. Hasil dari pembahasan ini adalah permainan sepakbola didominasi oleh sistem energi anaerobik yang mencirikan aktivitas intermiten dengan intensitas tinggi. Pada peran pada masing-masing posisi, secara spesifik pemain memiliki tuntutan fisik yang berbeda. Kami menyimpulkan bahwa untuk melakukan analisis performa pemain sepakbola harus memperhatikan masing-masing posisi bermain. Physical demands and performance characteristics of football players according to playing position Abstract: Football, as a team sport as well as a complicated game, requires high levels of tactical, technical, and physical skills to achieve. During competitive matches, random combinations of explosive and powerful activities and technical and tactical moves are performed intermittently over 90 minutes. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the physical demands and characteristics of the game of football. Writing of this article uses a literature review technique that focuses on the physical demands and performance characteristics of football players, which specifically presents the differences in each playing position in elite-level football. The result of this discussion is that football is dominated by an anaerobic energy system that characterizes intermittent activity with high intensity. In the role of each position, players have different physical demands. We conclude that in order to analyze football players' performance, they need to pay attention to each playing position.
... Athletic data obtained during training sessions or match games have been used to analyze and monitor players' performance. The analysis results of athletic data can be used to provide a training guideline to improve players' performance [1][2][3][4]. Moreover, analyzing athletic data can help to reduce injury risks [5,6]. ...
This study presents the filter design of GNSS/IMU integration for wearable EPTS (Electronic Performance and Tracking System) of football players. EPTS has been widely used in sports fields recently, and GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) and IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) in wearable EPTS have been used to measure and provide players’ athletic performance data. A sensor fusion technique can be used to provide high-quality analysis data of athletic performance. For this reason, the integration filter of GNSS data and IMU data is designed in this study. The loosely-coupled strategy is considered to integrate GNSS and IMU data considering the specification of the wearable EPTS product. Quaternion is used to estimate a player’s attitude to avoid the gimbal lock singularity in this study. Experiment results validate the performance of the proposed GNSS/IMU loosely-coupled integration filter for wearable EPTS of football players.
... In other words, it is the playing style incorporating the interaction between team and player tactics before the game (2). With this characteristic, a rapid increase was observed in the game tempo and the changing game strategies in the last decade (3,4). In previous studies comparing the former seasons and the current one, it was observed that there was a significant increase in the sprint and high-intensity running distances (5)(6)(7). ...
... Separately, research has explored the effects of acute reductions in physical performance during match-play, as represented by temporal changes in physical demands throughout a match [3]. Recent methods have quantified changes in physical outputs across discrete periods of match-play, such as between halves or distinct 15 min periods within halves e.g., 0-15 min, 15-30 min [5][6][7]. Collectively, this research has demonstrated that physical output is reduced during the second half, with the greatest reduction occurring in the final 15 minutes of the match [8]. Interestingly, this reduction during the final stages of a match coincides with a reported increase in goal scoring opportunities [9][10][11][12]. ...
Temporal changes in the total running demands of professional football competition have been well documented, with absolute running demands decreasing in the second half. However, it is unclear whether the peak match running demands demonstrate a similar decline. A total of 508 GPS files were collected from 44 players, across 68 matches of the Australian A-League. GPS files were split into the 1st and 2nd half, with the peak running demands of each half quantified across 10 moving average durations (1-10 min) for three measures of running performance (total distance, high-speed distance [> 19.8 km · h-1] and average acceleration). Players were categorised based on positional groups: attacking midfielder (AM), central defender (CD), defensive midfielder (DM), striker (STR), wide defender (WD) and winger (WNG). Linear mixed models and effect sizes were used to identify differences between positional groups and halves. Peak running demands were lower in the second half for STR across all three reported metrics (ES = 0.60-0.84), with peak average acceleration lower in the second half for DM, WD and WNG (ES = 0.60-0.70). Irrespective of match half, AM covered greater peak total distances than CD, STR, WD and WIN (ES = 0.60-2.08). Peak high-speed distances were greater across both halves for WIN than CD, DM and STR (ES = 0.78-1.61). Finally, STR had lower peak average acceleration than all positional groups across both halves (ES = 0.60-1.12). These results may help evaluate implemented strategies that attempt to mitigate reductions in second half running performance and inform position specific training practices.
... Therefore, these respective capacities are considered key elements during the organization and planning of strength and conditioning practices in soccer (25,47). Importantly, throughout soccer matches, sprint efforts occur over different trajectories, intensities, and distances, involving curved paths, rapid accelerations and decelerations, and aggressive directional changes (4,5,10). The concomitant development of these multiple sprint-related capabilities is extremely challenging for coaches, who frequently have to deal with congested training and match schedules, which, combined with high volumes of aerobic stimuli across the competitive season, tend to compromise the adequate prescription and reduce the effectiveness of sprint-specific training in soccer (25,36). ...
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a 4-week detraining period on the neuromuscular performance of highly trained soccer players. Pre- and post-detraining, eighteen adult soccer players (age: 27 ± 4.9 years; height: 180.2 ± 7.1 cm; body-mass [BM]: 78.9 ± 7.6 kg) performed vertical jumps, 20-m linear sprints, curve sprint and change of direction speed tests, and a progressive loading test in the half-squat exercise with loads corresponding to 50, 100, and 150% of the players’ body-mass (BM) to assess the peak-force (PF), mean power (MP), and strength-deficit (SDef). Pre and post differences in the variables of interest were analyzed using paired t-tests and effect sizes (ES). No significant changes were detected for vertical jumping height and sprint times. Higher PF at 50 and 100% BM and lower SDef were shown when comparing pre- and post-assessments (ES = 0.66, 0.68, 0.55; P = 0.018, 0.016, and 0.046, respectively). The MP at 50 and 100% BM increased significantly after the detraining phase (ES = 0.56, 0.82; P = 0.049 and 0.007, respectively). The results indicate that these athletes were able to maintain and achieve satisfactory levels of performance after a short period of training cessation. Interestingly, some strength- and power-derived parameters improved significantly after short-term detraining, which may have important implications for training programs aimed at maximizing speed and power performance. It is recommended that coaches test their players not only at the beginning, but also at the end of the season, to better evaluate variations in performance and thus create more efficient and tailored training strategies.
... According to the results of the research, we suggest that elite national teams with high percentage of ball possession can increase their scoring chances within the penalty area because ball possession, in addition to dominating the game, increases the chance of reaching the space within the penalty area for a final pass leading to a goal, leaving the opponents with less chances of possessing the ball and keeping them away from their own goal. As it is proven before, technical activities are likely to have more statistically significant impact on the success of the match than physical activities (Carling, 2013;Castellano et al., 2012;Di Salvo et al., 2013;Hoppe et al., 2015). ...
Aim: the aim of this research is to show the relations, effects, and interactions of ball possession, won duels, and goals scored inside the penalty area in the European Football Championship, Euro 2020. Methods: the research involves 24 final stage teams in the tournament and the above-mentioned relevant factors for the success of the match were analyzed. The percentage of ball possession is divided into three groups (low, medium, and high), the percentage of won duels are divided into two groups (low and high), while all goals scored inside the penalty area are taken into account for the success of the match. Two-way factorial variance analysis ANOVA was used to calculate the main and intercept effects. Findings: ball possession has shown a significant main effect ((F2,18) = 17.60, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.66), which means that teams, depending on the percentage of ball possession, showed differences in goals scored within the penalty area. Duel winning has shown no statistically significant main effect ((F1,18) = 2.09, p > 0.16, ηp2 = 0.10). Therefore, the success of scoring goals probably does not depend on the percentage of won duels. Interaction, ball possession and duel winning show statistically significant effects ((F2,18) = 4.16, p < 0.03, ηp2 = 0.31) for the success of the match, respectively goals scored within the penalty area. Discussion: ball possession from a low to a medium percentage is influenced to some extent by won duels in relation to the success of goals scored within the penalty area, while teams with a high percentage of ball possession and a low percentage of won duels managed to achieve a larger number of goals within the penalty area.
Antecedentes. El fútbol es un deporte colectivo que genera altas demandas bioenergéticas, pero en la actualidad existe escasa evidencia del análisis de la intensidad de juego en futbolistas jóvenes en Chile. Objetivo. Comparar la carga externa según posición de juego en futbolistas jóvenes (sub-19) de un equipo de la liga profesional de fútbol de Chile. Métodos. Participaron 16 futbolistas jóvenes chilenos pertenecientes a un equipo profesional con edades entre 17 y 19 años (18,2 ± 0,32), que fueron distribuidos según posición de juego en defensas (n=6), volantes (n=5) y delanteros (n=5). Se evalúo la intensidad de juego durante cinco partidos de la fase final del campeonato de primera división de Chile con un sistema de monitoreo de posicionamiento global (GPS) inalámbrico marca Catapult® utilizando una frecuencia de muestreo de 10Hz. Resultados. Se encontraron diferencias en la distancia total en el primer tiempo entre defensas y delanteros, entre defensas y volantes con un tamaño del efecto medio (η²p=0,302), también hubo diferencias en sprint > 25-30 km/h entre defensas y delanteros, entre defensas y volantes, y entre delanteros y volantes con un tamaño del efecto pequeño (η²p =0,225), finalmente hubo diferencias en los metros de alta intensidad entre delanteros y volantes, entre delanteros y defensas con un tamaño del efecto medio (η²p =0,252), mientras que los sprint de muy alta intensidad (> 31km/h) presentaron diferencias solo entre delanteros y volantes con un tamaño del efecto pequeño (η²p =0.137). Conclusiones. En el presente estudio se encontraron diferencias en la carga externa según posición de juego, siendo los delanteros los que presentan mayores intensidades de juego durante el partido en comparación con los defensas y volantes. Estos resultados entregan datos referenciales que pueden ser utilizados para la toma de decisiones por parte de los equipos técnicos para la optimización táctica, individualización del entrenamiento y gestión de la recuperación en futbolistas jóvenes. Palabras Clave: GPS, Deporte, Carga interna, Rendimiento, RHIE. Abstract. Background. Soccer is a collective sport that generates high bioenergetic demands, but at present there is little evidence on the analysis of game intensity in youth soccer players in Chile. Objective. To compare the external load according to playing position in young soccer players (U-19) of a professional soccer league team. Methods. Sixteen young Chilean soccer players belonging to a professional team aged between 17 and 19 years (18.2 ± 0.32), who were distributed according to playing position as defenders (n=6), midfielders (n=5) and forwards (n=5), participated in the study. The intensity of play during five games of the final phase of the Chilean first division championship was evaluated with a Catapult® wireless global positioning system (GPS) using a sampling frequency of 10Hz. Results. Differences were found in total distance in the first half between defenders and forwards, between defenders and midfielders with a medium effect size (η²p=0.302), there were also differences in sprinting > 25-30 km/h between defenders and forwards, between defenders and midfielders, and between forwards and midfielders with a small effect size (η²p =0, 225), finally there were differences in high intensity meters between forwards and midfielders, between forwards and defenders with a medium effect size (η²p =0.252), while very high intensity sprinting (> 31km/h) presented differences only between forwards and midfielders with a small effect size (η²p =0. 137). Conclusions. In the present study, differences were found in external loading according to playing position, with forwards presenting higher intensities of play during the match compared to defenders and midfielders. These results provide reference data that can be used for decision making by technical teams for tactical optimization, individualization of training and recovery management in young players. Keywords: GPS, Sport, External Load, Performance, RHIE.
Resumen. Antecedentes. El fútbol es un deporte colectivo que genera altas demandas bioenergéticas, pero en la actualidad existe escasa evidencia del análisis de la intensidad de juego en futbolistas jóvenes en Chile. Objetivo. Comparar la carga externa según posi-ción de juego en futbolistas jóvenes (sub-19) de un equipo de la liga profesional de fútbol de Chile. Métodos. Participaron 16 futbolistas jóvenes chilenos pertenecientes a un equipo profesional con edades entre 17 y 19 años (18,2 ± 0,32), que fueron distribuidos según posición de juego en defensas (n=6), volantes (n=5) y delanteros (n=5). Se evalúo la intensidad de juego durante cinco partidos de la fase final del campeonato de primera división de Chile con un sistema de monitoreo de posicionamiento global (GPS) inalámbrico marca Catapult® utilizando una frecuencia de muestreo de 10Hz. Resultados. Se encontraron diferencias en la distancia total en el primer tiempo entre defensas y delanteros, entre defensas y volantes con un tamaño del efecto medio (η²p=0,302), también hubo diferencias en sprint > 25-30 km/h entre defensas y delanteros, entre defensas y volantes, y entre delanteros y volantes con un tamaño del efecto pequeño (η²p =0,225), finalmente hubo diferencias en los metros de alta intensidad entre delanteros y volantes, entre delanteros y defensas con un tamaño del efecto medio (η²p =0,252), mientras que los sprint de muy alta intensidad (> 31km/h) presentaron diferencias solo entre delanteros y volantes con un tamaño del efecto pequeño (η²p =0.137). Conclusiones. En el presente estudio se encontraron diferencias en la carga externa según posición de juego, siendo los delanteros los que presentan mayores inten-sidades de juego durante el partido en comparación con los defensas y volantes. Estos resultados entregan datos referenciales que pueden ser utilizados para la toma de decisiones por parte de los equipos técnicos para la optimización táctica, individualización del entrenamiento y gestión de la recuperación en futbolistas jóvenes. Palabras Clave: GPS, Deporte, Carga interna, Rendimiento, RHIE. Abstract. Background. Soccer is a collective sport that generates high bioenergetic demands, but at present there is little evidence on the analysis of game intensity in youth soccer players in Chile. Objective. To compare the external load according to playing position in young soccer players (U-19) of a professional soccer league team. Methods. Sixteen young Chilean soccer players belonging to a professional team aged between 17 and 19 years (18.2 ± 0.32), who were distributed according to playing position as defenders (n=6), midfielders (n=5) and forwards (n=5), participated in the study. The intensity of play during five games of the final phase of the Chilean first division championship was evaluated with a Catapult® wireless global positioning system (GPS) using a sampling frequency of 10Hz. Results. Differences were found in total distance in the first half between defenders and forwards, between defenders and midfielders with a medium effect size (η²p=0.302), there were also differences in sprinting > 25-30 km/h between defenders and forwards, between defenders and midfielders, and between forwards and midfielders with a small effect size (η²p =0, 225), finally there were differences in high intensity meters between forwards and midfielders, between forwards and defenders with a medium effect size (η²p =0.252), while very high intensity sprinting (> 31km/h) presented differences only between forwards and midfielders with a small effect size (η²p =0. 137). Conclusions. In the present study, differences were found in external loading according to playing position, with forwards presenting higher intensities of play during the match compared to defenders and midfielders. These results provide reference data that can be used for decision making by technical teams for tactical optimization, individualization of training and recovery management in young players.
Abstract
Objective: Soccer is an attractive and popular team sport that has high physiological and fitness stress, and therefore requires special and controlled training programs during the season. The aim of this study was to describe the weekly average and changes in training monotony (TM) and training strain (TS) throughout different periods of the season in professional football players based on the number of accelerations and decelerations, and also to analyze the difference between starters and non-starters players in TM and TS.
Research Methodology: Nineteen professional players from a soccer team competing in the Iranian Premier League (age, 28 ± 4.6 years; height, 181.6 ± 5.8 cm; body mass, 74.5 ± 5.6 kg, and body mass index, 21.8 ± 1.0 kg/m2 ) participated in a cohort study. Participants were divided into two groups based on the time of participation in the weekly competition: starters (N = 10) or non-starters (N = 9). The physical activities of the players were recorded during the training sessions and competitive matches of 43 weeks using GPSPORTS systems Pty Ltd. During pre- and end-season TS was not significantly different between starters and non-starters, while during early- and mid-season starters showed a higher TS than non-starter (p < 0.05).
Results: TS was higher during early- and mid-season compared to pre- and end-season. In all zones on both the TM and TS variables, non-starters experienced higher change percentages and coefficient of variation. TM during the season in all zones of accelerations was not significantly different between starters and non-starters. while during mid-season starters showed a higher TM than non-starters in all zones of decelerations (p < 0.05). TM data showed fluctuations and w-shaped graphs in the week-by-week survey.
Conclusion: These results indicate that training during early- and mid-season is not enough for the physical development of non-starters soccer players. Coaches should be more careful when designing training for non-starters players, and they could consider the use of game simulation, preparatory match or intra-team match, or individual training programs.Keywords: acceleration; deceleration; external monitoring; periodization; performance; GPS
Abstract
Objective: The excessive and rapid increases in training load (TL) may be responsible for most non-contact injuries in soccer. This study’s aims were to describe, week(w)-by-week, the acute (AW), chronic (CW), acute: chronic workload ratio (wACWR), total distance (wTD), duration training (wDT), sprint total distance (wSTD), repeat sprint (wRS), and maximum speed (wMS) between starter and non-starter professional soccer players based on different periods (i.e., pre-, early-, mid-, and end-season) of a full-season (Persian Gulf Pro League, 2019–2020).
Research Methodology: Nineteen players were divided according to their starting status: starters (n = 10) or non-starters (n = 9). External workload was monitored for 43 weeks: pre- from w1–w4; early- from w5–w17; mid- from w18–w30, and end-season from w31–w43.
Results: In starters, AW, CW, and wACWR were greater than non-starters (p < 0.05) throughout the periods of early- (CW, p ≤ 0.0001), mid- (AW, p = 0.008; CW, p ≤ 0.0001; wACWR, p = 0.043), or end-season (AW, p = 0.035; CW, p = 0.017; wACWR, p = 0.010). Starters had a greater wTD (p ≤ 0.0001), wSTD (p ≤ 0.0001 to 0.003), wDT (p ≤ 0.0001 to 0.023), wRS (p ≤ 0.0001 to 0.018), and wMS (p ≤ 0.0001) than non-starters during early-, mid-, and end-season.
Conclusion: Starters experienced more CW and AW during the season than non-starters, which underlines the need to design tailored training programs accounting for the differences between playing status
Keywords: external training load; technology; soccer; performance; wearable inertial measurement units
Electronic performance & tracking systems (EPTS) are commonly used to track the location and velocity of athletes in many team sports. A range of associated applications using the derived data exist, such as assessment of athlete characteristics, informing training design, assisting match adjudication and providing fan insights for broadcast. Consequently the quality of such systems is of importance to a range of stakeholders. The influence of both systematic and methodological factors such as hardware, software settings, sample rate and filtering on this resulting quality is non-trivial. Highlighting these allows for the user to understand their strengths and limitations in various decision-making processes, as well as identify areas for research and development. In this paper, a number of challenges and considerations relating to the determination of EPTS validity for team sport are outlined and discussed. The aim of this paper is to draw attention of these factors to both researchers and practitioners looking to inform their decision-making in the EPTS area. Addressing some of the posited considerations in future work may represent best practice; others may require further investigation, have multiple potential solutions or currently be intractable.
Background: The 2022 World Cup introduced new substitution rules, tournament periods and stoppage time calculation methods. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the goal time characteristics during the FIFA World Cup 2022 group stage in comparison with those of the 2018 event, exploring the potential influence on the goal times after the new substitution rules, stoppage time calculation method, and tournament periods.
Methods: A total of 242 goals were used for analysis. The timing, zones and ways of goals scored were used for the analyses by χ2 Test with a significance level set at P<0.05.
Results: More goals were scored in the second half than in the first half (64.2% vs. 35.8%; χ2=9.633, P<0.05) and a significant difference in the goals scored in 15 minutes intervals in 2022 World Cup group stage (χ2=16.000, P<0.05). No difference were observed in the goal scoring time in two World Cups in terms of the different intervals, results, areas, and ways (P>0.05), but more open play goals were scored in the 2022 event (χ2=10.200, P<0.05) and substitutes scored more goals in the 2022 World Cup group stage as compared to those in the 2018 event (χ2=5.161, P<0.05). Despite more stoppage time in the 2022 event than in the 2018 event (11.6 vs. 7.3 min), no differences were observed in the number of goals scored in stoppage time (χ2=0.953, P>0.05).
Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of the insight of goal scoring pattern. Practitioners need to allocate physical fitness to tactical arrangements in a reasonable manner according to the time of the game, improve open play scoring ability and increase substitution awareness.
The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in internal and external load during Soccer-7 and Soccer-11, comparing positional requirements and neuromuscular fatigue in both modalities. Twenty-four young soccer players were monitored in Soccer-7 and Soccer-11 matches using global positioning systems. Total distance covered (TD), distance covered at high speed (HSR), distance covered at very high speed (VHSR), peak speed, accelerations and decelerations (Acc and Dec) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded differentiating between central backs (CB), midfielders (MF), external players (EX) and forwards (FW). Neuromuscular fatigue were assessed using a jump test. During Soccer-11, players showed significantly higher TD, HSR and VHSR, with low Acc and greater RPE compared with Soccer-7. During Soccer-11, all positions recorded significantly greater TD, distance at HSR and at VHSR than Soccer-7. In terms of playing position, CB, MF and FW achieved significantly higher Peak Speed during Soccer-1, but there was no difference for EX. During Soccer-7 all positions performed significantly higher numbers of Acc. Although the Soccer-7 modality is considered an optimal format for the development of young soccer players, there is a significant difference in match running activity for all playing positions with respect to the Soccer-11 format.
Theoretical performance analysis (TPA) and practical performance analysis (PPA) were introduced as “sub-disciplines” of performance analysis in the first chapter. This distinction constitutes a basic concept of performance analysis as a scientific subject. TPA has become a very productive scientific discipline along with the increasing amount of data available on sports competitions. A classification of approaches in TPA may distinguish three “schools” that have evolved, the “stats” school, the modelling approach, and the dynamical systems school, each with a specific set of preferred methods. A commonality of all these approaches is that they are in principle employing designs of basic research, that is, the aim is to establish general (statistical) laws or adequate models for a better understanding of the phenomena. This chapter has three sections dealing with general problems and aims of the basic approaches of TPA: statistical approaches with performance profiles and studies on influencing or contextual factors, modelling approaches, which are divided in direct models for sports phenomena (ball possession, playing style etc.) and models imported from other fields like social network analysis or stochastical models, and, finally, dynamical systems theories with complex systems theory/synergetics and ecological psychology. These three basic areas are treated more in depth trying to give a systematics of topics they are dealing with, focusing on specific concepts and methods.
This chapter deals with basics of performance analysis embedded in a broader perspective of training and exercise science starting with central definitions and concepts. Although this is an arduous and tiresome, not at all easy-going start, these are necessary prerequisites not only for the course of the book but also to show the contrast to different approaches of performance analysis. After this, a paragraph outlines the particularities of game sports compared to other types of sports. It will be proven that in performance analysis literature, these differences are not sufficiently acknowledged, and sometimes even a tacit identification of sports and game sports is found. The chapter closes with a comparison of different approaches including UK’s notational analysis and US sports analytics.
One basic message of this book is the distinction between theoretical performance analysis (TPA) and practical performance analysis (PPA), which are the two sub-disciplines of performance analysis (PA). In the present chapter concepts and methods of PPA will be covered in more detail. The chapter starts with conceptual issues of PPA. In the second part, the basic methods of PPA are examined. One main message here is that PPA makes either implicitly or explicitly use of qualitative methods. The chapter concludes with practical aspects of PPA in professional training systems.
Comparative study between small sided games and Hiit
The aims of this study were to analyze the effect of contextual variables on physical metrics during transitions and investigate repeated transitional activities during transitions. Data was collected from 10 matches (23 elite soccer players). A total of 4249 individual observations were recorded including 1164 positive transitions (defense-to-attack), 1269 negative transitions (attack-to-defense), 1120 fast attacks, and 696 high pressure activities. Metrics per minute (m·min-1) as well as absolute variables: Total Distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSRD, >19.8km·h-1), sprint distance (SD, >25.2km·h-1), relative high- speed running distance (VelB4), relative sprint distance (VelB5), acceleration distance (AccB3 Dist., distance with variations in running speed >3m·s-2), the number of high-intensity accelerations (HI Acc, >3m·s-2) and decelerations (HI Dec, >3m·s-2) were quantified. Significant effects of match half were found for TD (p <.001; ES =.03), HSRD (p = .023; ES = .012), VelB4 (p < .001; ES = .04), and HI Dec (p = .037; ES = .010). Match outcome had a relation to TD (m), HSRD (m) (p < .001), SD (m) and VelB4 (m) (p = .011) as well as VelB5 (m), and AccB3 Dist. distance (m) (p = .002 and p = .020, respectively). Performance in lost matches was lower in the 2nd half (p≤0.05). This study indicates that players are exposed to repeated short and intermittent high velocity actions together, highlighting the need to move awa
Technical Analysis of The Goals Scored In Euro 2020 Europian Football Championship
Purpose: In this study, it is aimed to analyze technically 142 scored goals in terms of
different variables during the Euro 2020 Europian Football Championship.
Method: The study began after receiving ethical board acceptance from Kafkas University
Institute of Health Sciences. The data was obtained from the offical website of the UEFA
which has been prepared for Uefa 2020 Europian Football Championship and also the
criterion tables have been created by Mathball Analysis Company. SPSS analysis program has
been used to analyse the data which have been obtained in the study.
Results: In the study, when the positions in the football were examined (defenders, midfield
players and forwards) it has been determined that the midfield players were the most effective
ones. While the midfield players have the most effective skills on scoring goals, the forwards
had been second, the defenders third and the goalkeepers fourth in scoring goals.
Conclusion: As a result, it has been determined that the goals mostly were scored in the
second term of the matches in 2020 European Football Championship and the goals were
scored mostly by the midfield players by the passes which have been started from the midfield
with an organized attack. The goals were mostly scored by right legs from the right side of the
football tower and it has been determined that the goals were scored after more than 7 passes
by the football players.
Keywords: Europian Football Championship, Goal Analysis, Match Analysis
We examine the differences in running performance demands and technical-tactical actions for male amateur football wingers in four tactical formations: 1-4-2-3-1, 1-4-4-2, 1-3-5-2 and 1-3-4-2-1 during an entire season. Running demands were assessed in terms of: total distance run; distance traveled at 3 different speed ranges (D > 14.4 km/h; D > 19.8 km/h; and D > 25 km/h); and number of accelerations registered in two different magnitude bands (Acc 2–4; and Acc > 4) while technical-tactical actions were assessed through 3,269 team match observations. The 1-3-5-2 formation requires the highest running demands with large differences identified in D > 19.8 comparing 1-4-2-3-1 and 1-3-5-2; in D > 25.0 comparing 1-4-2-3-1 and 1-3-5-2, and comparing 1-3-5-2 and 1-3-4-2-1. In addition, wingers in 1-3-5-2 register the lowest scores for several technical-tactical actions: Shots: 1-3-5-2 vs 1-3-4-2-1; Goal Area Shots:1-3-5-2 vs 1-3-4-2-1; and Dribbles: 1-3-5-2 vs 1-3-4-2-1. Finally, wingers registered the highest levels of defensive technical-tactical actions in 1-4-4-2 and 1-3-5-2. Findings suggest it would be of benefit for coaches to focus on formulating specific training plans to address the specific demands placed on wingers playing in these amateur matches and running performance demands and technical-tactical actions should be considered together with tactical formation.
This paper provides a large-scale study into the motion characteristics of top class soccer players, during match play, according to playing position. 432 top-class outfield soccer players were monitored during the 31 matches of the UEFA EURO 2008 using a computerized match analysis system. Data were analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a paired sample t-test. Results suggest that midfield players covered a significantly greater total distance than the groups of defenders and forwards did (p < 0.01). Significantly more distance was covered in the first half compared to the second (5136±468 m vs 5063±461, p<0.01). However, this difference may be explained by the fact that the effective playing time of the first half was significantly greater than the corresponding one for the second half of the match (27.4±2.2 min vs. 26.9±2.4 min, p<0.05). The findings suggest that the consideration of the effective playing time provides more precise information about competitive physicals demands.
Methods based on visual estimation still is the most widely used analysis of the distances that is covered by soccer players during matches, and most description available in the literature were obtained using such an approach. Recently, systems based on computer vision techniques have appeared and the very first results are available for comparisons. The aim of the present study was to analyse the distances covered by Brazilian soccer players and compare the results to the European players’, both data measured by automatic tracking system. Four regular Brazilian First Division Championship matches between different teams were filmed. Applying a previously developed automatic tracking system (DVideo, Campinas, Brazil), the results of 55 outline players participated in the whole game (n = 55) are presented. The results of mean distances covered, standard
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the physical demands of English Football Association (FA) Premier League soccer of three different positional classifications (defender, midfielder and striker). Computerised time-motion video-analysis using the Bloomfield Movement Classification was undertaken on the purposeful movement (PM) performed by 55 players. Recognition of PM had a good inter-tester reliability strength of agreement (κ = 0.7277). Players spent 40.6 ± 10.0% of the match performing PM. Position had a significant influence on %PM time spent sprinting, running, shuffling, skipping and standing still (p < 0.05). However, position had no significant influence on the %PM time spent performing movement at low, medium, high or very high intensities (p > 0.05). Players spent 48.7 ± 9.2% of PM time moving in a directly forward direction, 20.6 ± 6.8% not moving in any direction and the remainder of PM time moving backward, lateral, diagonal and arced directions. The players performed the equivalent of 726 ± 203 turns during the match; 609 ± 193 of these being of 0° to 90° to the left or right. Players were involved in the equivalent of 111 ± 77 on the ball movement activities per match with no significant differences between the positions for total involvement in on the ball activity (p > 0.05). This study has provided an indication of the different physical demands of different playing positions in FA Premier League match-play through assessment of movements performed by players.
Numerous studies have suggested that dehydration is a causal factor to fatigue across a range of sports such as soccer; however, empirical evidence is equivocal on this point. It is also possible that exercise-induced moderate dehydration is purely an outcome of significant metabolic activity during a game. The diverse yet sustained physical activities in soccer undoubtedly threaten homeostasis, but research suggests that under most environmental conditions, match-play fluid loss is minimal (∼;1–2% loss of body mass), metabolite accumulation remains fairly constant, and core temperatures do not reach levels considered sufficiently critical to require the immediate cessation of exercise. A complex (central) metabolic control system which ensures that no one (peripheral) physiological system is maximally utilized may explain the diversity of research findings concerning the impact of individual factors such as dehydration on elite soccer performance. In consideration of the existing literature, we propose a new interpretative pacing model to explain the self-regulation of elite soccer performance and, in which, players behaviourally modulate efforts according to a subconscious strategy. This strategy is based on both pre-match (intrinsic and extrinsic factors) and dynamic considerations during the game (such as skin temperature, thirst, accumulation of metabolites in the muscles, plasma osmolality and substrate availability), which enables players to avoid total failure of any single peripheral physiological system either prematurely or at the conclusion of a match. In summary, we suggest that dehydration is only an outcome of complex physiological control (operating a pacing plan) and no single metabolic factor is causal of fatigue in elite soccer.
We compared measurements of high-intensity activity during field-based training sessions in elite soccer players of different playing positions. Agreement was appraised between measurements of running speed alone and predicted metabolic power derived from a combination of running speed and acceleration. Data was collected during a 10-week phase of the competitive season from 26 English Premier League outfield players using global positioning system technology. High-intensity activity was estimated using the total distance covered at speeds >14.4 km · h-1 (TS) and the equivalent metabolic power threshold of >20 W · kg-1 (TP), respectively. We selected 0.2 as the -minimally important standardised difference between methods. Mean training session TS was 478±300 m vs. 727±338 m for TP (p<0.001). This difference was greater for central defenders (~ 85%) vs. wide defenders and attackers (~ 60%) (p<0.05). The difference between methods also decreased as the proportion of high-intensity distance within a training session increased (R2=0.43; p<0.001). We conclude that the high-intensity demands of soccer training are underestimated by traditional measurements of running speed alone, especially in training sessions or playing positions associated with less high-intensity activity. Estimations of metabolic power better inform the coach as to the true demands of a training session.
Objectives:
This study examined distances covered at low (1-2 ms(-2)), moderate (2-3 ms(-2)) and high (>3 ms(-2)) acceleration (L(ACC), M(ACC) and H(ACC) respectively) and deceleration (L(DEC), M(DEC), and H(DEC) respectively) during competitive football games. Temporal and transient patterns of acceleration and deceleration were also examined.
Design:
Observational, repeated measures.
Methods:
Thirty-six professional male professional footballers were monitored using a 10 Hz non-differential global positioning system (NdGPS). Match data was organised into six 15 min periods (P1: 1-15 min, P2: 16-30 min, P3: 31-45 min, P4: 46-60 min, P5: 61-75 min, and P6: 76-90 min) for analysis of temporal patterns, and into eighteen 5 min periods for analysis of transient patterns. ANOVA with Bonferroni post hoc tests were used to identify significant (p<0.05) differences between periods.
Results:
Distance covered at L(ACC), M(ACC), H(ACC), L(DEC), M(DEC), and H(DEC) was 424±75 m, 242±25 m, 178±38 m, 365±54 m, 210±23 m and 162±29 m respectively. Between period decrements ranged from 8.0% to 13.2% from P1 to P3, 9.2% to 16.3% from P4 to P6, and from 14.9% to 21.0% from P1 to P6. Following PEAK H(ACC) (148% of mean 5 min H(ACC)), H(ACC) at 5POST was 10.4% lower than mean (p<0.01).
Conclusions:
Time-dependent reductions in distances covered suggest that acceleration and deceleration capability are acutely compromised during match play. Further, the occurrence of transient fatigue may be supported by the findings that HACC and HDEC performance following PEAK was approximately 10% lower than mean values.
The purpose of this study was to compare motions of soccer players in the English Premier (1st) and Championship (2nd) League. A total of 26 449 observations were obtained from players during 4 seasons (2006-2010) in the 2 leagues. Time-motions of all players (attackers, central defenders, central midfielders, wide defenders, wide midfielders) were recorded during each match using the Prozone® System, (Leeds, UK), and categorized by speed intensity. Number of actions, total distance and the mean distance covered at each speed intensity were measured. Players in the Championship league covered a total match distance of 11.1±0.9 km compared with 10.8±1.0 km for players from the Premiership (p<0.001). Championship players also covered greater distances during jogging, running, high-speed running, and sprinting. Premiership players covered more distance walking. Players in the Soccer League Championship had more instances of each condition. Although these differences were statistically significant, they were negligible in practical terms, suggesting match-related activities do not explain the general superiority of Premiership players over Championship players in England.
Purpose:
To report the intensity distribution of Premier League soccer players' external loads during match play, according to recognized physiological thresholds. The authors also present a case in which individualized speed thresholds changed the interpretation of time-motion data.
Method:
Eight outfield players performed an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion to determine the running speeds associated with their ventilatory thresholds. The running speeds were then used to individualize time-motion data collected in 5 competitive fixtures and compared with commonly applied arbitrary speed zones.
Results:
Of the total distance covered, 26%, 57%, and 17% were performed at low, moderate, and high intensity, respectively. Individualized time-motion data identified a 41% difference in the high-intensity distance covered between 2 players of the same positional role, whereas the player-independent approach yielded negligible (5-7%) differences in total and high-speed distances covered.
Conclusions:
The authors recommend that individualized speed thresholds be applied to time-motion-analysis data in synergy with the traditional arbitrary approach.
The aim of this study was to examine in highly-trained young soccer players whether substantial changes in either maximal sprinting speed (MSS) or maximal aerobic speed (as inferred from peak incremental test speed, VVam-Eval) can affect repeated high-intensity running during games. Data from 33 players (14.5±1.3 years), who presented substantial changes in either MSS or VVam-Eval throughout 2 consecutive testing periods (~3 months) were included in the final analysis. For each player, time-motion analyses were performed using a global positioning system (1-Hz) during 2-10 international club games played within 1-2 months from/to each testing period of interest (n for game analyzed=109, player-games=393, games per player per period=4±2). Sprint activities were defined as at least a 1-s run at intensities higher than 61% of individual MSS. Repeated-sprint sequences (RSS) were defined as a minimum of 2 consecutive sprints interspersed with a maximum of 60 s of recovery. Improvements in both MSS and VVam-Eval were likely associated with a decreased RSS occurrence, but in some positions only (e. g., - 24% vs. - 3% for improvements in MSS in strikers vs. midfielders, respectively). The changes in the number of sprints per RSS were less clear but also position-dependent, e. g., +7 to +12% for full-backs and wingers, - 5 to - 7% for centre-backs and midfielders. In developing soccer players, changes in repeated-sprint activity during games do not necessarily match those in physical fitness. Game tactical and strategic requirements are likely to modulate on-field players' activity patterns independently (at least partially) of players' physical capacities.
The aim of this study was to examine the physical performance of a success-Serie A team of more than three consecutive seasons. 25 players participated in the study and were classified into three playing positions: defenders (n=9), midfielders (n=11) and forward (n=5). Activities match were studied by an analysis of multiple match-camera SICS ® (Bassano del Grappa, Italy) throughout the competition Italian Serie A matches played at home (n=90) for 3 consecutive seasons (first: 2004/2005, second: 2005/2006, and third: 2006/2007). Total team ball possession and time-motion characteristics were examined. Results showed that total ball possession (52.1% to 54.9%) and the number of points accumulated at home (40/48) improved in the past three seasons while that the final ranking at home were stable. The total distances covered by minutes of play were significantly different between the three seasons (118.32±6.69m.min to 111.96±8.05m.min). Distance running and high intensity activities were similar in the three seasons, while the distance covered in moderate intensity running decreased in the third (P<0.05). Variations between playing positions were found during the three-consecutive seasons, with midfielders covering greater distances than defenders (P<0.05) and forward (P<0.01). This study showed how for three consecutive seasons of successful players Serie-A team reduced their distances performed at submaximal speeds, and increased ball possession, while maintaining the high-intensity activities and the number of points at home. It is suggested that this is due to a better understanding of roles and tactics team organization, and to act collectively and individually on these parameters to reduce energy expenditure during the game to maintain a high level performance throughout the season.
The aim of this study was to compare match performance in professional soccer players across two major European championships: Spanish La Liga and English FA Premier League (FAPL). Data were collected using a computerized match analysis system. A total of 5938 analyses were recorded during the 2006–2007 season. The players were classified into six positional roles: central defenders, full backs, central defensive midfielders, wide midfielders, central attacking midfielders, and forwards. The match performance variables analysed included: (i) physical activity – total distance covered, distances covered at high-intensities both with and without possession of the ball; (ii) technical actions – heading and ground duels, passing, time in possession, and ball touches. Comparison of the total distance covered by FAPL and La Liga players showed no difference across individual playing positions but FAPL players generally covered greater distances in sprinting. In contrast, more of the total distance in sprinting was covered by La Liga players when their team was in possession (values from P < 0.05 to P < 0.001), while an equal total sprint distance, irrespective of possession, was observed in FAPL players. La Liga players won more heading duels (49.32% vs. 48.68%) and performed the same proportion of successful passes (76.17%). FAPL wide midfielders had ~20% more ball touches per possession than their La Liga counterparts (2.24±0.54 vs. 2.03±0.55, P < 0.001). In conclusion, our results show that FAPL and La Liga teams present differences in various physical and technical aspects of match-play, suggesting that cultural differences may exist across professional soccer leagues and playing positions.
Short-duration sprints, interspersed with brief recoveries, are common during most team sports. The ability to produce the best possible average sprint performance over a series of sprints (≤10 seconds), separated by short (≤60 seconds) recovery periods has been termed repeated-sprint ability (RSA). RSA is therefore an important fitness requirement of team-sport athletes, and it is important to better understand training strategies that can improve this fitness component. Surprisingly, however, there has been little research about the best training methods to improve RSA. In the absence of strong scientific evidence, two principal training theories have emerged. One is based on the concept of training specificity and maintains that the best way to train RSA is to perform repeated sprints. The second proposes that training interventions that target the main factors limiting RSA may be a more effective approach. The aim of this review (Part II) is to critically analyse training strategies to improve both RSA and the underlying factors responsible for fatigue during repeated sprints (see Part I of the preceding companion article). This review has highlighted that there is not one type of training that can be recommended to best improve RSA and all of the factors believed to be responsible for performance decrements during repeated-sprint tasks. This is not surprising, as RSA is a complex fitness component that depends on both metabolic (e.g. oxidative capacity, phosphocreatine recovery and H+ buffering) and neural factors (e.g. muscle activation and recruitment strategies) among others. While different training strategies can be used in order to improve each of these potential limiting factors, and in turn RSA, two key recommendations emerge from this review; it is important to include (i) some training to improve single-sprint performance (e.g. 'traditional' sprint training and strength/power training); and (ii) some high-intensity (80-90% maximal oxygen consumption) interval training to best improve the ability to recover between sprints. Further research is required to establish whether it is best to develop these qualities separately, or whether they can be developed concurrently (without interference effects). While research has identified a correlation between RSA and total sprint distance during soccer, future studies need to address whether training-induced changes in RSA also produce changes in match physical performance.
Short-duration sprints ( Using laboratory and field-based protocols, performance analyses have consistently shown that fatigue during RSE typically manifests as a decline in maximal/mean sprint speed (i.e. running) or a decrease in peak power or total work (i.e. cycling) over sprint repetitions. A consistent result among these studies is that performance decrements (i.e. fatigue) during successive bouts are inversely correlated to initial sprint performance. To date, there is no doubt that the details of the task (e.g. changes in the nature of the work/recovery bouts) alter the time course/magnitude of fatigue development during RSE (i.e. task dependency) and potentially the contribution of the underlying mechanisms. At the muscle level, limitations in energy supply, which include energy available from phosphocreatine hydrolysis, anaerobic glycolysis and oxidative metabolism, and the intramuscular accumulation of metabolic by-products, such as hydrogen ions, emerge as key factors responsible for fatigue. Although not as extensively studied, the use of surface electromyography techniques has revealed that failure to fully activate the contracting musculature and/or changes in inter-muscle recruitment strategies (i.e. neural factors) are also associated with fatigue outcomes. Pending confirmatory research, other factors such as stiffness regulation, hypoglycaemia, muscle damage and hostile environments (e.g. heat, hypoxia) are also likely to compromise fatigue resistance during repeated-sprint protocols.
Soccer induces neuromuscular fatigue requiring several hours of recovery.
The study aimed to determine the extent to which neuromuscular fatigue occurs in high-level professional players and its recovery after a match and to examine its relationship with central and peripheral fatigue indicators.
Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), sprint and passing abilities, muscle soreness, maximal voluntary activation, EMG activity, and evocated quadriceps contractile properties (using different electrical stimulations) were determined before, immediately after, and at 24 and 48 h after the match in 20 male professional players.
Immediately after a 90-min game, fatigue was evident by a reduction of MVC and sprint performance (-11%, P < 0.001 and -3%, P < 0.001, respectively) and increased muscle soreness (P < 0.001) compared with baseline, whereas short-passing ability was preserved. At the same time point, maximal voluntary activation and EMG activity were reduced by 8% (P < 0.001) and 12% (P = 0.001), respectively. M-wave characteristics were unchanged, whereas quadriceps mechanical responses to single and paired stimulations at 10 Hz resulted as significantly reduced (peak torque = -8%, P < 0.001 and -9%, P < 0.001). Despite the observation of a partial recovery 24 h after the game, all variables did not return to baseline values until 48 h after the match.
In high-level professional players, the fatigue induced by a soccer match occurs to a smaller extent than in lower level athletes and seems to be recovered in a faster fashion. Match-related fatigue is determined by a combination of central and peripheral factors. A relationship exists between central fatigue indicators and MVC and sprint performance decrements, whereas muscle soreness seems to be linked to peripheral fatigue indicators, particularly to mechanical responses at low-frequency stimulations.
It has been suggested that assessment of high-intensity activities during a match is a valid measure of physical performance in elite soccer. Recently, sprinting activities have been analysed in more depth. The aim of this study was to develop a detailed analysis of the sprinting activities of different playing positions during European Champions League and UEFA Cup competitions. Altogether, 717 elite outfield soccer players were evaluated throughout 2002-2006 using ProZone® (Leeds, UK). Sprinting (explosive and leading) was analysed for each playing position. To compare positional differences, a Kruskal-Wallis analysis was performed. Differences were found among positions for total number of sprints and total sprint distance covered: wide midfielders > (attackers = wide defenders) > central midfielders > central defenders (P < 0.001), as well as for explosive sprints: (wide midfielders = attackers = wide defenders) > central defenders, wide midfielders > central midfielders > central defenders and attackers = wide defenders = central midfielders (P < 0.001), and leading sprints: wide midfielders > (attackers = wide defenders) > central midfielders > central defenders (P < 0.001). For each group, there were no differences in ratio of explosive to leading sprints. Wide midfielders performed a higher number of sprints in all five distance categories than all other positions. This study showed that sprinting characteristics are influenced by position. Wide midfielders have to complete additional high-intensity activities during training sessions compared with the other positions to achieve the performance level required during the match.
This study examined the occurrence and nature of repeated-sprint sequences (RSS) in highly-trained young soccer players, as a function of age, playing position and playing time. Time-motion analyses using a global positioning system (GPS) were performed on 99 highly-trained young soccer (U13, U14, U15, U16, U17 and U18) players during 42 international games. Sprint activities were defined as at least a 1-s run at intensities higher than 61% of the individual peak running velocity; RSS, as a minimum of 2 consecutive sprints interspersed with a maximum of 60 s. During the first half of games the younger teams had a greater number of RSS than the older teams (P<0.001): U13>U14>U16>U15>U18>U17. The younger players also performed more (e. g., U14 vs. U17: 2.8±0.3 vs. 2.6±0.3, P<0.05) and longer (e. g., U14 vs. U17: 2.8±0.5 vs. 2.6±0.5 s, P<0.05) sprints per sequence than the older players. RSS occurrence was also affected by playing position and decreased throughout the game in most age-groups (P<0.001). Both the occurrence and the nature of RSS are affected by age, position and playing time. Present results also question the importance of repeated-sprint ability as a crucial physical component of soccer performance in developing players.
Recovery duration may be too short during the congested fixtures of professional soccer players with regard to maintaining physical performance and a low injury rate.
To analyze the effects of 2 matches per week on physical performance and injury rate in male elite soccer players.
Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.
Match results, match-related physical performance, and injuries were monitored during 2 seasons (2007-2008 and 2008-2009) for 32 professional soccer players in a top-level team participating in the UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) Champions League. Total distance, high-intensity distance, sprint distance, and number of sprints were collected for 52 home matches. Injuries and player participation in matches and training were recorded throughout the full season.
Physical performance, as characterized by total distance covered, high-intensity distance, sprint distance, and number of sprints, was not significantly affected by the number of matches per week (1 versus 2), whereas the injury rate was significantly higher when players played 2 matches per week versus 1 match per week (25.6 versus 4.1 injuries per 1000 hours of exposure; P < .001).
The recovery time between 2 matches, 72 to 96 hours, appears sufficient to maintain the level of physical performance tested but is not long enough to maintain a low injury rate. The present data highlight the need for player rotation and for improved recovery strategies to maintain a low injury rate among athletes during periods with congested match fixtures.
The purpose of this study was to analyse the activity profile of players in a top-class team in the Italian national football league over the course of a season (n=388). The effect of playing position and the two halves on the number and duration of short, intense bursts of effort and recovery phases was studied. The main results show that midfielders cover significantly more distance than players in other positions (p<0.001). For midfielders, the number of displacements of 2-40 m and the number of sprints covering between 2 and 9 m and between 30 and 40 m are considerably greater than for other positions (p<0.05). The distances covered in the second half compared to the first half are significantly lower for all categories of run (p<0.05). In the second half, the distance covered at very high intensity is significantly lower (p<0.01), whilst the number of recovery times greater than 120 s increases significantly compared to the first half (p<0.01). This study provides data which could be used as a basis for the work of scientists as well as football professionals.
The aims of this study were to (1) determine the activity profiles of a large sample of English FA Premier League soccer players and (2) examine high-intensity running during elite-standard soccer matches for players in various playing positions. Twenty-eight English FA Premier League games were analysed during the 2005-2006 competitive season (n=370), using a multi-camera computerised tracking system. During a typical match, wide midfielders (3138 m, s=565) covered a greater distance in high-intensity running than central midfielders (2825 m, s= 73, P=0.04), full-backs (2605 m, s=387, P < 0.01), attackers (2341 m, s=575, P < 0.01), and central defenders (1834 m, s=256, P < 0.01). In the last 15 min of a game, high-intensity running distance was approximately 20% less than in the first 15-min period for wide midfielders (467 m, s=104 vs. 589 m, s=134, P < 0.01), central midfielders (429 m, s=106 vs. 534 m, s=99, P < 0.01), full-backs (389 m, s=95 vs. 481 m, s=114, P < 0.01), attackers (348 m, s=105 vs. 438 m, s=129, P < 0.01), and central defenders (276 m, s=93 vs. 344 m, s=80, P < 0.01). There was a similar distance deficit for high-intensity running with (148 m, s=78 vs. 193 m, s=96, P < 0.01) and without ball possession (229 m, s=85 vs. 278 m, s=97, P < 0.01) between the last 15-min and first 15-min period of the game. Mean recovery time between very high-intensity running bouts was 72 s (s=28), with a 28% longer recovery time during the last 15 min than the first 15 min of the game (83 s, s=26 vs. 65 s, s=20, P < 0.01). The decline in high-intensity running immediately after the most intense 5-min period was more evident in attackers (216 m, s=50 vs. 113 m, s=47, P < 0.01) and central defenders (182 m, s=26 vs. 96 m, s=39, P < 0.01). The results suggest that high-intensity running with and without ball possession is reduced during various phases of elite-standard soccer matches and the activity profiles and fatigue patterns vary among playing positions. The current findings provide valuable information about the high-intensity running patterns of a large sample of elite-standard soccer players, which could be useful in the development and prescription of specific training regimes.
Numerous studies have suggested that dehydration is a causal factor to fatigue across a range of sports such as soccer; however, empirical evidence is equivocal on this point. It is also possible that exercise-induced moderate dehydration is purely an outcome of significant metabolic activity during a game. The diverse yet sustained physical activities in soccer undoubtedly threaten homeostasis, but research suggests that under most environmental conditions, match-play fluid loss is minimal ( approximately 1-2% loss of body mass), metabolite accumulation remains fairly constant, and core temperatures do not reach levels considered sufficiently critical to require the immediate cessation of exercise. A complex (central) metabolic control system which ensures that no one (peripheral) physiological system is maximally utilized may explain the diversity of research findings concerning the impact of individual factors such as dehydration on elite soccer performance. In consideration of the existing literature, we propose a new interpretative pacing model to explain the self-regulation of elite soccer performance and, in which, players behaviourally modulate efforts according to a subconscious strategy. This strategy is based on both pre-match (intrinsic and extrinsic factors) and dynamic considerations during the game (such as skin temperature, thirst, accumulation of metabolites in the muscles, plasma osmolality and substrate availability), which enables players to avoid total failure of any single peripheral physiological system either prematurely or at the conclusion of a match. In summary, we suggest that dehydration is only an outcome of complex physiological control (operating a pacing plan) and no single metabolic factor is causal of fatigue in elite soccer.
The optimal physical preparation of elite soccer (association football) players has become an indispensable part of the professional game, especially due to the increased physical demands of match-play. The monitoring of players' work rate profiles during competition is now feasible through computer-aided motion analysis. Traditional methods of motion analysis were extremely labour intensive and were largely restricted to university-based research projects. Recent technological developments have meant that sophisticated systems, capable of quickly recording and processing the data of all players' physical contributions throughout an entire match, are now being used in elite club environments. In recognition of the important role that motion analysis now plays as a tool for measuring the physical performance of soccer players, this review critically appraises various motion analysis methods currently employed in elite soccer and explores research conducted using these methods. This review therefore aims to increase the awareness of both practitioners and researchers of the various motion analysis systems available, and identify practical implications of the established body of knowledge, while highlighting areas that require further exploration.
The aim of this study was to assess physical fitness, match performance and development of fatigue during competitive matches at two high standards of professional soccer. Computerized time-motion analyses were performed 2-7 times during the competitive season on 18 top-class and 24 moderate professional soccer players. In addition, the players performed the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. The top-class players performed 28 and 58% more (P < 0.05) high-intensity running and sprinting, respectively, than the moderate players (2.43 +/- 0.14 vs 1.90 +/- 0.12 km and 0.65 +/- 0.06 vs 0.41 +/- 0.03 km, respectively). The top-class players were better (11%; P < 0.05) on the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test than the moderate players (2.26 +/- 0.08 vs 2.04 +/- 0.06 km, respectively). The amount of high-intensity running, independent of competitive standard and playing position, was lower (35-45%; P < 0.05) in the last than in the first 15 min of the game. After the 5-min period during which the amount of high-intensity running peaked, performance was reduced (P < 0.05) by 12% in the following 5 min compared with the game average. Substitute players (n = 13) covered 25% more (P < 0.05) ground during the final 15 min of high-intensity running than the other players. The coefficient of variation in high-intensity running was 9.2% between successive matches, whereas it was 24.8% between different stages of the season. Total distance covered and the distance covered in high-intensity running were higher (P < 0.05) for midfield players, full-backs and attackers than for defenders. Attackers and full-backs covered a greater (P < 0.05) distance in sprinting than midfield players and defenders. The midfield players and full-backs covered a greater (P < 0.05) distance than attackers and defenders in the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (2.23 +/- 0.10 and 2.21 +/- 0.04 vs 1.99 +/- 0.11 and 1.91 +/- 0.12 km, respectively). The results show that: (1) top-class soccer players performed more high-intensity running during a game and were better at the Yo-Yo test than moderate professional players; (2) fatigue occurred towards the end of matches as well as temporarily during the game, independently of competitive standard and of team position; (3) defenders covered a shorter distance in high-intensity running than players in other playing positions; (4) defenders and attackers had a poorer Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test performance than midfielders and full-backs; and (5) large seasonal changes were observed in physical performance during matches.
Field-based team sports, such as soccer, rugby and hockey are popular worldwide. There have been many studies that have investigated the physiology of these sports, especially soccer. However, some fitness components of these field-based team sports are poorly understood. In particular, repeated-sprint ability (RSA) is one area that has received relatively little research attention until recent times. Historically, it has been difficult to investigate the nature of RSA, because of the unpredictability of player movements performed during field-based team sports. However, with improvements in technology, time-motion analysis has allowed researchers to document the detailed movement patterns of team-sport athletes. Studies that have published time-motion analysis during competition, in general, have reported the mean distance and duration of sprints during field-based team sports to be between 10-20 m and 2-3 seconds, respectively. Unfortunately, the vast majority of these studies have not reported the specific movement patterns of RSA, which is proposed as an important fitness component of team sports. Furthermore, there have been few studies that have investigated the physiological requirements of one-off, short-duration sprinting and repeated sprints (<10 seconds duration) that is specific to field-based team sports. This review examines the limited data concerning the metabolic changes occurring during this type of exercise, such as energy system contribution, adenosine triphosphate depletion and resynthesis, phosphocreatine degradation and resynthesis, glycolysis and glycogenolysis, and purine nucleotide loss. Assessment of RSA, as a training and research tool, is also discussed.
The paper provides a large-scale study into the motion characteristics of top class soccer players, during match play, according to playing position. Three hundred top-class outfield soccer players were monitored during 20 Spanish Premier League and 10 Champions League games using a computerized match analysis system (Amisco Pro, Nice, France). Total distance covered in five selected categories of intensity, and the mean percentage of playing time spent in each activity were analyzed according to playing position. Midfield players covered a significantly greater total distance (p < 0.0001) than the groups of defenders and forwards did. Analyzing the different work rates showed significant differences (p < 0.5 - 0.0001) between the different playing positions. There were no significant differences between halves in the total distance covered, or in distances covered at submaximal and maximal intensities. However, significantly more distance was covered in the first half compared to the second in medium intensities (11.1 - 19 km/h). The current findings provide a detailed description of the demands placed on elite soccer players, according to their positional role at different work intensities, which may be helpful in the development of individualized training programs.
This study examined the influence of the opposing team, seasonal variations and the influence of first half activity on match performance in top-level soccer players. Physical performance measures were collected using the ProZone match analysis system from 20 professional soccer players from the same team and their opponents (n = 188) during a season. Match activities (standing, walking, jogging, running, high-speed running and sprinting), distances (total distance [TD], high-intensity running [HIR] and very high-intensity running [VHIR]) and other measures including involvement with the ball and peak running speed were collected. The influence of opponent team, the level of opposition, first half physical activities on second half activities, and playing position were analysed. The main finding was that TD (r = 0.62, p < 0.05), HIR (r = 0.51, p < 0.05), and VHIR (r = 0.65, p < 0.05) of the reference team was influenced by the activity profile of the opponent teams. The TD and HIR was higher against Best opponent teams compared to Worst opponent teams (p < 0.05), and the TD, HIR and VHIR travelled in the first half significantly influenced the distances covered in the second half. TD, HIR and VHIR were greater at the end of the season. These results may be used to interpret meaningful changes in match performance in top level soccer.
One of the consequences of sustaining exercise for 90 minutes of football match-play is that the capability of muscle to generate force declines. This impairment is reflected in the decline of work-rate towards the late part of the game. Causes of this phenomenon, which is known as fatigue, and some of its consequences are considered in this article. The stores of muscle glycogen may be considerably reduced by the end of the game, especially if there has not been a tapering of the training load. Thermoregulatory strain may also be encountered, resulting in a fall in physical performance, or there may be a reduced central drive from the nervous system. The decline in muscle strength may increase the predisposition to injury in the lower limbs. Central fatigue may also occur with implications for muscle performance. Strategies to offset fatigue include astute use of substitutions, appropriate nutritional preparation and balancing pre-cooling and warm-up procedures. There is also a role for endurance training and for a pacing strategy that optimizes the expenditure of energy during match-play.
A methodology to assess work rate in competitive professional football was designed and validated. The technique required monitoring by observation the intensity and extent of discrete activities during match play and was found to have a measurement error of less than one percent. Performance was observed over 51 games. A complete match typically involved approximately nine hundred separate movement activities per player. The overall distance covered per game was observed to be a function of positional role, the greatest distance covered in outfield players being in mid fielders, the least in centre backs.
The activity patterns of many sports (e.g. badminton, basketball, soccer and squash) are intermittent in nature, consisting of repeated bouts of brief (≤-second) maximal/near-maximal work interspersed with relatively short (≤60-second) moderate/low-intensity recovery periods. Although this is a general description of the complex activity patterns experienced in such events, it currently provides the best means of directly assessing the physiological response to this type of exercise. During a single short (5- to 6-second) sprint, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is resynthesised predominantly from anaerobic sources (phosphocreatine [PCr] degradation and glycolysis), with a small (
The optimal physical preparation of elite soccer (association football) players has become an indispensable part of the professional game, especially due to the increased physical demands of match-play. The monitoring of players’ work rate profiles during competition is now feasible through computer-aided motion analysis. Traditional methods of motion analysis were extremely labour intensive and were largely restricted to university-based research projects. Recent technological developments have meant that sophisticated systems, capable of quickly recording and processing the data of all players’ physical contributions throughout an entire match, are now being used in elite club environments. In recognition of the important role that motion analysis now plays as a tool for measuring the physical performance of soccer players, this review critically appraises various motion analysis methods currently employed in elite soccer and explores research conducted using these methods. This review therefore aims to increase the awareness of both practitioners and researchers of the various motion analysis systems available, and identify practical implications of the established body of knowledge, while highlighting areas that require further exploration.
Health care providers often prescribe exercises as treatment for nonspecific low back pain. However, the effectiveness of this treatment is poorly documented in the literature. While the evidence suggests that exercise in general is beneficial, there is a lack of knowledge about the types, frequency and duration of exercises that should be prescribed and at what stage of injury they are most helpful. In addition, few studies have dealt with exercise treatment alone rather than in combination with other treatments, making it hard to decipher the unique contribution of exercise. Inadequate study designs also make conclusions difficult. Conversely, the literature clearly shows that inactivity has detrimental effects (i.e. delayed return to normal activity, and negative physiological and psychological effects) for low back pain patients.
The aim of this study was to examine the most intense period of high-intensity running during elite soccer matches. Elite players (n=100) were analysed using a multi-camera computerised tracking system. High-intensity running distance (speed ≥19.8 km·h) and that covered in the most intense 5-min period were quantified during matches. High-intensity running was performed for ∼3% of total time but this doubled (F[1,99] = 9.179, p<0.001, d>1.2) during the most intense period (8.4±2.7 vs. 16.4±4.6 s). Recovery time between high-intensity efforts was ∼30 s during the most intense period (33.3±19.7 s). The work:rest ratio between high-intensity bouts increased (F[1,99] = 2.018, p<0.001, d>0.6) from 1:12 for the match average to 1:2 during the most intense period. The distance of each discrete high-intensity running bout increased (F[1,99] = 1.958, p<0.001, d>0.6) ∼13% during the most intense period compared to the match average (6.7±1.8 vs. 5.8±0.6 m). Central defenders were running at high-intensity for less (F[4,95] = 4.907, p<0.05, d>0.6) time than full-backs, wide midfielders and attackers (12.9±2.4 vs. 17.9±3.4, 18.3±5.5 and 16.9±3.8 s). Central defenders had a greater recovery time (F[4,95] = 3.083, p=0.023, d>0.6) between high-intensity efforts than wide midfielders. No differences were evident between playing positions for maximum running speed and average distances of high-intensity running. These results show that high-intensity running, work:rest ratios and average high-intensity distances increased during the most intense period of matches and is highly dependent on positional role. Therefore, conditioning drills and performance tests should closely mimic distances, work:rest ratios and recovery times of those found during intense periods.
To compare the peak 5-min period of high-velocity running (HiVR) during a soccer match using a predefined vs a rolling time interval.
Player movement data were collected from 19 elite Australian soccer players over 11 competitive matches (77 individual match files) using a 5-Hz global-positioning system. Raw velocity data were analyzed to determine the period containing the greatest HiVR distance per match half and the distance covered in the subsequent epoch. Intervals were identified using either a predefined (distance covered in 5 min at every 5-min time point) or rolling (distance covered in 5 min from every time point) method. The percentage difference ± 90% confidence limits were used to determine differences between methods.
Predefined periods underestimated peak distance covered by up to 25% and overestimated the subsequent epoch by up to 31% compared with rolling periods. When the distance decrement between the peak and following period was determined, there was up to a 52% greater reduction in running performance using rolling periods than predefined ones.
It is recommended that researchers use rolling as opposed to predefined periods when determining specific match intervals because they provide a more accurate representation of the HiVR distance covered. This will avoid underestimation of both match running distance and the decrement in running performance after an intense period of play. This may have practical implications for not only researchers but also staff involved in a club setting who use this reduction as evidence of transient fatigue during a match.
The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to characterize repeated high-intensity movement activity profiles of a professional soccer team in official match-play; and (2) to inform and verify the construct validity of tests commonly used to determine repeated-sprint ability in soccer by investigating the relationship between the results from a test of repeated-sprint ability and repeated high-intensity performance in competition. High-intensity running performance (movement at velocities >19.8 km · h(-1) for a minimum of 1 s duration) was measured in 20 players using computerized time-motion analysis. Performance in 80 French League 1 matches was analysed. In addition, 12 of the 20 players performed a repeated-sprint test on a non-motorized treadmill consisting of six consecutive 6 s sprints separated by 20 s passive recovery intervals. In all players, most consecutive high-intensity actions in competition were performed after recovery durations ≥61 s, recovery activity separating these efforts was generally active in nature with the major part of this spent walking, and players performed 1.1 ± 1.1 repeated high-intensity bouts (a minimum of three consecutive high-intensity bouts with a mean recovery time ≤20 s separating efforts) per game. Players reporting lowest performance decrements in the repeated-sprint ability test performed more high-intensity actions interspersed by short recovery times (≤20 s, P < 0.01 and ≤30 s, P < 0.05) compared with those with higher decrements. Across positional roles, central-midfielders performed more high-intensity actions separated by short recovery times (≤20 s) and spent a larger proportion of time running at higher intensities during recovery periods, while fullbacks performed the most repeated high-intensity bouts (statistical differences across positional roles from P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). These findings have implications for repeated high-intensity testing and physical conditioning regimens.
The present study aimed to analyse the influence of speed and power abilities in goal situations in professional football. During the second half of the season 2007/08, videos of 360 goals in the first German national league were analysed by visual inspection. For the assisting and the scoring player the situations immediately preceding the goal were evaluated. The observed actions were categorised as: no powerful action, rotation (around the body's centre-line), straight sprint, change-in-direction sprint, jump, or a combination of those categories. Two hundred and ninety-eight (83%) goals were preceded by at least one powerful action of the scoring or the assisting player. Most actions for the scoring player were straight sprints (n = 161, 45% of all analysed goals, P < 0.001) followed by jumps (n = 57, 16%), rotations and change-in-direction sprints (n = 22, 6% each). Most sprints were conducted without an opponent (n = 109, P < 0.001) and without the ball (n = 121, P < 0.001). Similarly, for the assisting player the most frequent action was a straight sprint (n = 137, P < 0.001) followed by rotations (n = 28), jumps (n = 22) and change-in-direction sprints (n = 18). The straight sprints were mostly conducted with the ball (n = 93, P = 0.003). In conclusion, straight sprinting is the most frequent action in goal situations. Power and speed abilities are important within decisive situations in professional football and, thus, should be included in fitness testing and training.
The major purpose of the present study was to examine whether there exists a relationship between preseasonal physiological tests and performance results in the soccer league. Further, it investigated maximal oxygen uptake and maximal strength in proportion to body mass for soccer players. A secondary aim was to establish some normative data of Norwegian elite soccer players.
Two teams from the Norwegian elite soccer league participated in the study.
The present study supports previous investigations indicating a positive relationship between maximal aerobic capacity, physical strength, and performance results in the elite soccer league. It is concluded that for soccer players, maximal oxygen uptake should be expressed in relation to body mass raised to the power of 0.75 and maximal strength in relation to body mass raised to the power of 0.67, when the aim is to evaluate maximal aerobic capacity when running and strength capacity among players with different body mass. Midfield players had significantly higher maximal oxygen uptake compared with defense players using the traditional expression, mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), while no significant differences were found expressing maximal oxygen uptake either absolutely (L x min[-1]) or in relation to body mass raised to the power of 0.75 (mL x kg[-0.75] x min[-1]) among players grouped by position. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.61, P < 0.01) between squat IRM and vertical jump height. Vertical jump heights for defense and forward players were significantly higher compared with midfield players. Mean results from the laboratory test were 63.7 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) or 188.6 mL x kg[-0.75] x min(-1) for maximal oxygen uptake, 150 kg or 8.0 kg x mb(-0.67) for 90 degrees squats, 79.9 kg or 4.4 kg x mb(-0.67) for bench press. Mean values of vertical jump height were 54.9 cm.
The aim of this study was to determine whether declines in physical performance in a professional soccer team during match-play were associated with reductions in skill-related performance. Computerized tracking of performance in midfield players (n = 11) showed that total distance and distance covered in high-speed running (>14.4 km · h⁻¹) were greater in the first versus second half of games (both P < 0.001) and in the first versus the final 15 min of play (P < 0.05). Analysis of high-speed running across 5-min periods showed that more distance was covered in the first versus the final game period, and in the peak period of activity compared with the following period and game mean for other periods (all P < 0.05). Analysis of skill-related measures revealed no significant decline between halves, across 15-min intervals or in the 5-min period following that of peak high-speed activity compared with the game mean for other 5-min periods. In contrast, frequencies of passing, ball possessions, and duels were greater in the first 5-min than in the final 5-min period (P < 0.05). Neither physical nor skill-related performance was affected across three consecutive games within a period of ≤7 days. The results suggest that the players were generally able to maintain skill-related performance throughout games and when competing in successive matches within a short time.
Video match analysis is used for the assessment of physical performances of professional soccer players, particularly for the identification of "high intensities" considered as "high running speeds." However, accelerations are also essential elements setting metabolic loads, even when speed is low. We propose a more detailed assessment of soccer players' metabolic demands by video match analysis with the aim of also taking into account accelerations.
A recent study showed that accelerated running on a flat terrain is equivalent to running uphill at constant speed, the incline being dictated by the acceleration. Because the energy cost of running uphill is known, this makes it possible to estimate the instantaneous energy cost of accelerated running, the corresponding instantaneous metabolic power, and the overall energy expenditure, provided that the speed (and acceleration) is known. Furthermore, the introduction of individual parameters makes it possible to customize performance profiles, especially as it concerns energy expenditure derived from anaerobic sources. Data from 399 "Serie-A" players (mean +/- SD; age = 27 +/- 4 yr, mass = 75.8 +/- 5.0 kg, stature = 1.80 +/- 0.06 m) were collected during the 2007-2008 season.
Mean match distance was 10,950 +/- 1044 m, and average energy expenditure was 61.12 +/- 6.57 kJ x kg(-1). Total distance covered at high power (>20 W x kg(-1)) amounted to 26% and corresponding energy expenditure to approximately 42% of the total. "High intensities" expressed as high-power output are two to three times larger than those based only on running speed.
The present approach for the assessment of top-level soccer players match performance through video analysis allowed us to assess instantaneous metabolic power, thus redefining the concept of "high intensity" on the basis of actual metabolic power rather than on speed alone.
The aims of the study were to (a) determine the high-intensity activity patterns of soccer players at different performance levels and playing positions, (b) investigate temporary and end game fatigue in elite domestic and international soccer matches, and (c) quantify acceleration and maximal running speed profiles of elite soccer players. Elite domestic (n = 100) and international (n = 10) soccer players were analyzed using a multicamera computerized tracking system. No differences were found for high-intensity running distance (2,520 +/- 678 vs. 2,745 +/- 332 m), mean recovery time (67 +/- 15 vs. 71 +/- 26 seconds), or maximal running speed (7.76 +/- 0.31 vs. 7.66 +/- 0.34 mxs-1). The distance covered in high-intensity running irrespective of playing level was 18% lower (p < 0.05) in the last than in the first 15-minute period of the game (391 +/- 117 vs. 478 +/- 141 m). The decline in high-intensity running immediately after the most intense 5-minute period was similar between international (222 +/- 33 vs. 109 +/- 37 m or 51% decline) and elite domestic (243 +/- 81 vs. 114 +/- 51 m or 53% decline) players. Wide midfielders, central midfielders, fullbacks, and attackers covered a greater (p < 0.01) distance in high-intensity running than central defenders (3,243 +/- 625, 2,949 +/- 435, 2,806 +/- 408, 2,618 +/- 745 vs. 2,034 +/- 284 m). Results demonstrate that high-intensity running is reduced during various periods of elite soccer matches, and high-intensity activity profiles and fatigue patterns are similar between international and elite domestic players but vary markedly between playing positions. These data provide valuable information to the fitness coach regarding the high-intensity active profile of elite soccer players that could be used to develop soccer-specific training drills.
The aim of the present investigation was to provide a detailed analysis of the high intensity running activity completed by elite soccer players during match-play. A further aim of the study was to evaluate the importance of high intensity running activity to overall team success. Observations on individual match performance measures were undertaken on 563 outfield players (median of 8 games per player; range=1–57) competing in the English Premier League from 2003/2004 to 2005/2006 using a computerised tracking system (Prozone®, Leeds, England). High intensity activities selected for analysis included total high intensity running distance (THIR), total sprint distance (TSD) and the number and type of sprints undertaken. Total high intensity running distance in possession and without possession of the ball was also analysed. The THIR was dependant upon playing position with wide midfield (1 049±106 m) and central defenders (681±128 m) completing the highest and lowest distance respectively (p<0.001). High intensity activity was also related to team success with teams finishing in the bottom five (919±128 m) and middle ten (917±143 m) league positions completing significantly more THIR compared with teams in the top five (885±113 m) (p=0.003). The THIR and TSD also significantly declined during the 2nd half with the greatest decrements observed in wide midfield and attacking players (p<0.05). Both positional differences in high intensity activity and the observed change in activity throughout the game were also influenced by team success (p<0.05). The results of the present study indicate that high intensity activity in elite soccer match-play is influenced by both playing position and previous activity in the game. These activity patterns are also dependant upon success of the team. This may indicate that overall technical and tactical effectiveness of the team rather than high levels of physical performance per se are more important in determining success in soccer.
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an early dismissal (after 5-min play) on work-rate in a professional soccer match. A computerised player tracking system was used to assess the work-rates of seven players who completed the match on a team with 10 players. A minute-by-minute analysis of the remaining 91min following the dismissal was performed for the total distance covered, the distance covered in five categories of movement intensity and the recovery time between high-intensity efforts for each player. The data were calculated for each half and for three equal intervals within each half and profiled against normative data for the same players obtained from the analysis of 15 games in the same season. Following the dismissal, the players covered a greater total distance than normal (p<0.025), particularly in moderate-intensity activities (p<0.01) and had shorter recovery times between high-intensity efforts (p<0.025). In contrast, there was a significant reduction between game halves for total distance covered at both the highest (p<0.025) and lowest running intensities (p<0.01). However, there were no differences in high-intensity activities across the three intervals in the second-half. These findings suggest that in 11 vs. 11, players may not always utilise their full physical potential as this match illustrated an increase in overall work-rate when reduced to 10 players. However, as a team with 10 players is likely to incur higher levels of fatigue, tactical alterations may be necessary and/or players may adopt a pacing strategy to endure the remainder of the match.
In order to study the movement pattern of soccer players, 14 top-level players were filmed during several competitive matches. In addition, the relationship between the observed activity during match play and blood lactate values was examined. The mean distance covered during competitive matches was 10.80 km, and the average individual difference between matches was 0.92 km, with no difference in regard to high intensity activities. Midfielders covered a 10% longer (p less than 0.05) distance (11.4 km) than defenders and forwards, with no difference concerning high intensity running. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.61, p less than 0.05) between the amount of high intensity running during the match and lactate concentration in the blood. The results suggest that high intensity running can be used for making comparisons in soccer and that the interpretation of blood lactate in soccer is limited to giving an indication of the type of activity that has been carried out a few minutes before sampling.
The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare muscular activation in sitting and standing in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome and healthy controls. Eleven women with patellofemoral pain syndrome and nine healthy controls were evaluated regarding: (a) muscle performance in sitting compared to standing - knee extensor torque was registered in sitting with a Kin Com dynamometer and in standing with a force plate, and quadriceps muscle activity was registered with EMG in both sitting and standing; and (b) ability to maximally voluntarily activate during sitting isometric knee extension.
Maximally tolerated single-twitch electrical stimulation was superimposed on 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% of maximal voluntary activation. Additional torque from the single twitch was documented. Five patients and all nine controls were tested twice (tests a and b) with 2 days between tests, and high reproducibility could be demonstrated. A significantly higher torque during sitting compared with standing was found in both patients and controls, but with a significant correlation between sitting and standing torque values. No significant difference was found between patients and controls. Single-twitch electrical stimulation superimposed on maximal voluntary activation resulted in increased torque in two of the nine controls compared to 10 of the 11 patients. The average increased torque in the patients were significantly higher than in the controls and estimated to 18%. It was concluded that sitting isometric measurements are representative of the ability to produce standing isometric knee torque. A moderate degree of inhibition was demonstrated during sitting strength measurements in the patients (not studied in standing).
The aim of the current investigation was to determine the movement profiles of elite South American soccer players during international competition and examine the relationship between anthropometric profile and work-rate variables.
Seventeen full-time professional soccer players were filmed while competing for their countries. Anthropometric profiles were obtained for eleven of these players. Six full-time professional players from the English Premier League were also filmed for comparative purposes.
The South American international players covered significantly less (p<0.05) total distance during match-play than English Premier League players (International, 8638+/-1158 m; English Premier League, 10104+/-703 m). The total distance covered during the second half of the game was significantly reduced (p<0.05) compared to the first half distance for both groups of players (mean+/-SD first half 4605+/-625 m; mean+/-SD second half 4415+/-634 m). The data for both groups of players were combined to evaluate positional differences in the workrate profile. Midfield players covered a significantly greater (p<0.05) distance than forward players (midfield, 9826+/-1031 m; forwards, 7736+/-929 m) and defenders covered a greater (p<0.05) distance jogging backwards than forward players (defenders, 276+/-155 m; forwards, 68+/-25 m). Forwards sprinted a greater distance (p<0.05) than defensive players (defenders, 231+/-142 m; forwards, 557+/-142 m). Mean somatotype was a balanced mesomorph (2-5 1/2-2). Body mass and muscle mass was related to the total distance covered (r=0.43, r=0.53, p<0.05).
Based on these data, it seems that an individual's work-rate profile is dependent upon the type of competition and the playing position. Relationships between anthropometric profile and work-rate are complex due to the interaction between the variables that determine work-rate.
The activity patterns of many sports (e.g. badminton, basketball, soccer and squash) are intermittent in nature, consisting of repeated bouts of brief (<or=6-second) maximal/near-maximal work interspersed with relatively short (<or=60-second) moderate/low-intensity recovery periods. Although this is a general description of the complex activity patterns experienced in such events, it currently provides the best means of directly assessing the physiological response to this type of exercise. During a single short (5- to 6-second) sprint, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is resynthesised predominantly from anaerobic sources (phosphocreatine [PCr] degradation and glycolysis), with a small (<10%) contribution from aerobic metabolism. During recovery, oxygen uptake (V-O2) remains elevated to restore homeostasis via processes such as the replenishment of tissue oxygen stores, the resynthesis of PCr, the metabolism of lactate, and the removal of accumulated intracellular inorganic phosphate (Pi). If recovery periods are relatively short, V-O2 remains elevated prior to subsequent sprints and the aerobic contribution to ATP resynthesis increases. However, if the duration of the recovery periods is insufficient to restore the metabolic environment to resting conditions, performance during successive work bouts may be compromised. Although the precise mechanisms of fatigue during multiple sprint work are difficult to elucidate, evidence points to a lack of available PCr and an accumulation of intracellular Pi as the most likely causes. Moreover, the fact that both PCr resynthesis and the removal of accumulated intracellular Pi are oxygen-dependent processes has led several authors to propose a link between aerobic fitness and fatigue during multiple sprint work. However, whilst the theoretical basis for such a relationship is compelling, corroborative research is far from substantive. Despite years of investigation, limitations in analytical techniques combined with methodological differences between studies have left many issues regarding the physiological response to multiple sprint work unresolved. As such, multiple sprint work provides a rich area for future applied sports science research.
To examine muscle and blood metabolites during soccer match play and relate it to possible changes in sprint performance.
Thirty-one Danish fourth division players took part in three friendly games. Blood samples were collected frequently during the game, and muscle biopsies were taken before and after the game as well as immediately after an intense period in each half. The players performed five 30-m sprints interspersed by 25-s recovery periods before the game and immediately after each half (N=11) or after an intense exercise period in each half (N=20).
Muscle lactate was 15.9+/-1.9 and 16.9+/-2.3 mmol.kg d.w. during the first and second halves, respectively, with blood lactate being 6.0+/-0.4 and 5.0+/-0.4 mM, respectively. Muscle lactate was not correlated with blood lactate (r=0.06-0.25, P>0.05). Muscle glycogen decreased (P<0.05) from 449+/-23 to 255+/-22 mmol.kg d.w. during the game, with 47+/-7% of the muscle fibers being completely or almost empty of glycogen after the game. Blood glucose remained elevated during the game, whereas plasma FFA increased (P<0.05) from 0.45+/-0.05 to 1.37+/-0.23 mM. Mean sprint time was unaltered after the first half, but longer (P<0.05) after the game (2.8+/-0.7%) as well as after intense periods in the first (1.6+/-0.6%) and second halves (3.6+/-0.5%). The decline in sprint performance during the game was not correlated with muscle lactate, muscle pH, or total glycogen content.
Sprint performance is reduced both temporarily during a game and at the end of a soccer game. The latter finding may be explained by low glycogen levels in individual muscle fibers. Blood lactate is a poor indicator of muscle lactate during soccer match play.
Soccer (association football) is a team sport that incorporates frequent fluctuations between high and low exercise intensities. These unpredictable changes may be accompanied by unorthodox patterns of movements and the performance of specific skills. The individual activity profiles are highly variable and include elements of self-pacing, since decision making about opportunities to become engaged in play dictates individual activities. Approaches utilised to investigate the demands placed on players during competitive performances include behavioural observations during games, physiological evaluations in matches and assessments of the physical capacity of players. Observations made during games to determine the work-rate patterns of individual players are highly variable and make generalisations based on individual activity patterns conditional, unless the sample sizes are large and data are collected on a number of occasions. The data may also be affected by the diverse methodological approaches to their collection and analysis and a failure to determine the reliability and objectivity of the relevant measuring tools. Techniques that can be used to collect data in matches are limited as the sports rules and regulations restrict some approaches. The validity of applying data from non-competitive matches to the competitive situation must, therefore, be subject to formal scrutiny. There is also a concern as to the degree to which principles of steady-state are applicable to dynamically changing exercise intensities. In the evaluation of the physical capacities of players, the variability in overall soccer performance is reduced to fitness statistics, whereas in reality, soccer performance is a construct based on many different performance components and their interaction at the level of both player and team. Despite these caveats, valuable insights have been acquired into the physiological requirements of the game that have subsequently informed both research projects and impacted upon practice. The challenge for future researchers is to overcome remaining research design hurdles and devise ways to understand more fully the complexities of invasive field games such as soccer. The interactions between individuals within a team require investigation and there is a need to refine and develop methods that employ sophisticated measurement techniques and yet possess both internal and external validity, such as laboratory-based simulations.
The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in technical and physical performance between the first and second half during official matches of Italian Serie A league. Further aim was to compare the technical and physical performance of the players of the more successful teams (ranked in the first 5 positions) with the players of the less successful teams (ranked in the last 5 positions) from the same league. A total of 416 individual games from 186 soccer players (27+/-4 years, 76+/-5kg, and 181+/-5cm) were analysed using a video match-analysis system. The match performance parameters analysed were: total distance covered (TD), high-intensity running distance (HIR), very high-intensity running distance (VHIR), total distance with the ball (TDB), high-intensity running distance with the ball (HIRB), and very high-intensity running distance with the ball (VHIRB). The number of skill involvements was also measured. The players from the more successful teams covered greater TDB and HIRB and also had more involvements with the ball, completed more short passes, successful short passes, tackles, dribbling, shots and shots on target compared to the less successful teams (P<0.01). A significant decline (P<0.01) between the first and second half was found for both physical performance and some technical scores (involvements with the ball, short passes and successful short passes). This study showed a decline in technical and physical performance between the first and second half, and that both physical performance and technical skills were different between players from more successful and less successful teams.
Are aerobic fitness and repeated sprint ability linked to fatigue in soccer match-play? In: Book of abstracts, third world congress on science and soccer
- C Carling
- Le Gall
- F Dupont
Carling C, Le Gall F, Dupont G. Are aerobic fitness and repeated sprint ability linked to fatigue in soccer match-play? In: Book of abstracts, third world congress on science and soccer. Ghent; 2012. p 140.
Successful formulae for fitness training
- P Apor
Apor P. Successful formulae for fitness training. In: Reilly T, Lees A, Davids K, Murphy WJ, editors. Science and football.