Analysis of repeated high-intensity running performance in professional soccer

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between accumulated global positioning system–accelerometer-based and heart rate–based training metrics and changes in high-intensity intermittent-running capacity during an in-season phase in professional soccer players. Methods: Eleven male professional players (mean [SD] age 27.2 [4.5] y) performed the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) before and after a 5-wk in-season training phase, and the final velocity (VIFT) was considered their high-intensity intermittent-running capacity. During all sessions, Edwards training impulse (Edwards TRIMP), Banister TRIMP, Z5 TRIMP, training duration, total distance covered, new body load (NBL), high-intensity running performance (distance covered above 14.4 km·h−1), and very-high-intensity running performance (distance covered above 19.8 km·h−1) were recorded. Results: The players’ VIFT showed a most likely moderate improvement (+4.3%, 90% confidence limits 3.1–5.5%, effect size 0.70, [0.51–0.89]). Accumulated NBL, Banister TRIMP, and Edwards TRIMP showed large associations (r = .51–.54) with changes in VIFT. A very large relationship was also observed between accumulated Z5 TRIMP (r = .72) with changes in VIFT. Large to nearly perfect within-individual relationships were observed between NBL and some of the other training metrics (ie, Edwards TRIMP, Banister TRIMP, training duration, and total distance) in 10 out of 11 players. Conclusions: Heart rate–based training metrics can be used to monitor high-intensity intermittent-running-capacity changes in professional soccer players. The dose–response relationship is also largely detected using accelerometer-based metrics (ie, NBL) to track changes in high-intensity intermittent-running capacity of professional soccer players.

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Analysis of the Association between Running Performance and Game Performance Indicators in Professional Soccer Players

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16204032 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (20) ◽

pp. 4032 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Modric ◽

Versic ◽

Sekulic ◽

Liposek

Keyword(s):

Performance Indicators ◽

High Intensity ◽

High Speed ◽

Body Height ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Running Performance ◽

Total Distance ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Performance Statistics ◽

Game Performance

Running performance (RP) and game performance indicators (GPI) are important determinants of success in soccer (football), but there is an evident lack of knowledge about the possible associations between RP and GPI. This study aimed to identify associations between RP and GPI in professional soccer players and to compare RP and GPI among soccer playing positions. One hundred one match performances were observed over the course of half of a season at the highest level of national competition in Croatia. Players (mean ± SD, age: 23.85 ± 2.88 years; body height: 183.05 ± 8.88 cm; body mass: 78.69 ± 7.17 kg) were classified into five playing positions (central defenders (n = 26), full-backs (n = 24), central midfielders (n = 33), wide midfielders (n = 10), and forwards (n = 8). RP, as measured by global positioning system, included the total distance covered, distance covered in five speed categories (walking, jogging, running, high-speed running, and maximal sprinting), total number of accelerations, number of high-intensity accelerations, total number of decelerations, and number of high-intensity decelerations. The GPI were collected by the position-specific performance statistics index (InStat index). The average total distance was 10,298.4 ± 928.7 m, with central defenders having the shortest and central midfielders having the greatest covered distances. The running (r = 0.419, p = 0.03) and high-intensity accelerations (r = 0.493, p = 0.01) were correlated with the InStat index for central defenders. The number of decelerations of full-backs (r = −0.43, p = 0.04) and the distance covered during sprinting of forwards (r = 0.80, p = 0.02) were associated with their GPI obtained by InStat index. The specific correlations between RP and GPI should be considered during the conditioning process in soccer. The soccer training should follow the specific requirements of the playing positions established herein, which will allow players to meet the game demands and to perform successfully.

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Evolution of physical performance in professional soccer across four consecutive seasons

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity ◽

10.29359/bjhpa.13.3.10 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 79-85

Author(s):

LUKASZ RADZIMINSKI ◽

ZBIGNIEW JASTRZEBSKI

Keyword(s):

Physical Performance ◽

High Intensity ◽

High Speed ◽

Running Performance ◽

Performance Variables ◽

Total Distance ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Physical Match

Background: Main purpose of this research was to investigate the changes of physical match performance in Polish Ekstraklasa across four consecutive seasons. Material and methods: A total of 949 official matches from season 2017/2018 to 2020/2021 were analyzed. Such match running performance variables as total distance, high-speed running, sprinting, and number of high-intensity runs were involved. Each season data were divided into two rounds (spring round and autumn round). Due to the pandemic of COVID-19 additional post-lockdown round (Spring I 2019/2020) occurred. Results: Comparison in the results between Spring 2017/2018 and Spring 2020/2021 indicated significant increases in total distance (2.1%, p<0.001), high-speed running (11.9%, p<0.001), sprinting distance (7.7%, p<0.01) and number of high-intensity runs (9.7%, p<0.001). Moreover, within season analysis exhibited that during spring rounds Ekstraklasa teams covered significantly longer (p<0.01) distances in high-speed running than during autumn rounds. Reduction in physical match performance was reported after the 12-week pandemic lockdown. Conclusions: The results of this study confirmed the growing importance of such match activities as high-speed running, sprinting and number of high intensity runs which increased in Polish Ekstraklasa by 8-12% within last 4 years. This growing tendency was disrupted by unexpected off-season period caused by COVID-19 lockdown.

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Optimal Pretaper Phase on Physical Match Performance in Professional Soccer

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2020-0334 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Wassim Moalla ◽

Mohamed Saifeddin Fessi ◽

Sabeur Nouira ◽

Alberto Mendez-Villanueva ◽

Valter Di Salvo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Intensity ◽

High Speed ◽

Training Load ◽

Match Analysis ◽

Running Performance ◽

Low Intensity ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Daily Training ◽

Soccer Team ◽

Analysis System

Purpose: To investigate the optimal pretaper duration on match running performance in a professional soccer team. Methods: The training load was monitored during daily training sessions and matches during 2 seasons according to different periodization strategies. Matches’ running distances were collected using match analysis system. The data were analyzed in 3 types of mesocycle blocks of 5 (M5), 4 (M4), and 3 weeks (M3), concludes all of them by 1 taper week. Results: Significant decreases in the training load during the taper weeks compared to standard weeks were observed in 3 types of mesocycle blocks (d ≥ 5; P < .01). An increase in overall match running performance was observed in matches played after the taper weeks compared to matches played after the standard weeks during M4 for all speed ranges (d ≥ 1.3; P < .05). The increase was only observed in low-intensity running (d = 1.3; P < .04) and total distance, low-intensity running, and intense running (d ≥ 1.3; P < .05) in M5 and M3, respectively. Match running performance following the taper weeks between the 3 different mesocycle durations was significantly higher in M4 for the number of high-speed running, sprinting, and high-intensity running (P < .05). The greatest enhancement of match running performance was observed at M4 when the training load was decreased by approximately 18% during the tapering period. Conclusion: This study suggests that a period of 3 standard weeks of training followed by 1 taper week is the optimal taper strategy when compared to different pretaper durations.

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Work-rate Analysis of Substitute Players in Professional Soccer: Analysis of Seasonal Variations

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2018-0025 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 65 (1) ◽

pp. 165-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Alexis Padrón-Cabo ◽

Ezequiel Rey ◽

Benjamín Vidal ◽

Javier García-Nuñez

Keyword(s):

Physical Performance ◽

Seasonal Variations ◽

High Intensity ◽

Work Rate ◽

Running Performance ◽

Rate Analysis ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Competitive Season

Abstract The aims of this study were to evaluate physical performance of substitute players versus those replaced or completing the entire match, determine physical performance of substitute players across different playing positions and examine variations in match-related running performance in substitute players throughout the entire competitive season. The sample was composed of 943 observations of professional players who participated in the first division of the Spanish League (La Liga) during the 2014-2015 season. The players were divided into three different groups: players who completed the entire match (n = 519), players who were replaced (n = 212) and substitute players (n = 212). Substitute players covered greater distances at medium and high intensity compared to the players who played the entire match and those who were replaced. Position-specific trends indicated that attackers and central midfielder increased the distance covered at high-intensity running compared to their peers who played the whole match. During the competitive season, it was observed that substitute players attained greater match running performance during the mid-season period, allowing them to cover more distance for different variables of running performance compared to the start and end of the season.

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Match Running Performance on Three Different Competitive Standards in Norwegian Soccer

Sports Medicine International Open ◽

10.1055/a-0943-3682 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 03 (03) ◽

pp. E82-E88 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Atle Sæterbakken ◽

Vebjorn Haug ◽

Dan Fransson ◽

Halvard Nikolai Grendstad ◽

Hilde Stokvold Gundersen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Intensity ◽

High Speed ◽

Tracking System ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Running Speed ◽

Running Performance ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Fully Automatic ◽

Level 1 ◽

Level 2

AbstractThe aim of the study was to compare running performance of three competitive standards and to examine the effects of being promoted to a higher league in Norwegian football. One clubʼs first and second team were included. The first team consisted of professional soccer players playing at Level 2 (2015 season) and Level 1 (2016 season). The second team consisted of amateurs playing at Level 4. A fully automatic tracking system was used to examine running performance, divided into different running-speed categories and playing position. Forty-one matches were included containing 278 observations. Level 1 performed 61 and 51% sprinting compared to Level 2 and Level 4 but similar high-speed running. Similar high-speed running distances were observed only for the different playing positions at Level 1 compared to Level 2 and 4. The sprinting distance was greater for the central defender and attacker, and the number of accelerations was greater for central midfielders and wide midfielders’ playing at Level 1 compared to lower competitive standards. In conclusion, better competitive standards resulted in greater high-intensity actions than lower leagues in Norwegian soccer. Furthermore, only central defenders and attackers increased their high-intensity locomotions when the team was promoted.

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Contextual Variables Affect Running Performance in Professional Soccer Players: A Brief Report

Frontiers in Sports and Active Living ◽

10.3389/fspor.2021.778813 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 ◽

Author(s):

Diêgo Augusto ◽

João Brito ◽

Rodrigo Aquino ◽

Pedro Figueiredo ◽

Fabio Eiras ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Global Positioning System ◽

High Intensity ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Head Coach ◽

Contextual Variables ◽

Running Performance ◽

Independent Variables ◽

Total Distance ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Global Positioning

This study aimed to investigate the effects of contextual variables on running performance in Brazilian professional soccer players. Twenty male players from one club participating in the 1st Division of the Brazilian soccer championship were analyzed during 35 matches. Global Positioning System was used to determine total distance (TD) covered, distance covered and actions in high intensity and sprinting, and the number of accelerations, and decelerations. The independent variables used were match location, match outcome, opposition ranking, change of head coach, and distance traveled to play the matches. Total distance was higher in a way than home matches (9,712 vs. 9,533 m; p ≤ 0.05), and losses than draws and wins (9,846 vs. 9,400 vs. 9,551 m; p ≤ 0.05), whereas distance in sprinting was higher in draws than losses (203 vs. 175 m; p ≤ 0.01). Changing the head coach during the season resulted in overall lower distance covered in high intensity, sprinting, high-intensity actions (p ≤ 0.01), and decelerations (p ≤ 0.05). Higher values for distance covered in sprinting and high intensity were found in matches without travel compared to those with long-travel (p ≤ 0.05). Overall, running performance was affected by the location, match outcome, change of head coach, and distance traveled during the season.

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Do elite soccer players cover longer distance when losing? Differences between attackers and defenders

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/1747954120982270 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 174795412098227

Author(s):

Carlos Lago-Peñas ◽

Anton Kalén ◽

Miguel Lorenzo-Martinez ◽

Roberto López-Del Campo ◽

Ricardo Resta ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

High Speed ◽

Large Scale ◽

Tracking System ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Running Performance ◽

Situational Variables ◽

Total Distance ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Score Line

This study aimed to evaluate the effects playing position, match location (home or away), quality of opposition (strong or weak), effective playing time (total time minus stoppages), and score-line on physical match performance in professional soccer players using a large-scale analysis. A total of 10,739 individual match observations of outfield players competing in the Spanish La Liga during the 2018–2019 season were recorded using a computerized tracking system (TRACAB, Chyronhego, New York, USA). The players were classified into five positions (central defenders, players = 94; external defenders, players = 82; central midfielders, players = 101; external midfielders, players = 72; and forwards, players = 67) and the following match running performance categories were considered: total distance covered, low-speed running (LSR) distance (0–14 km · h−1), medium-speed running (MSR) distance (14–21 km · h−1), high-speed running (HSR) distance (>21 km · h−1), very HSR (VHSR) distance (21–24 km · h−1), sprint distance (>24 km · h−1) Overall, match running performance was highly dependent on situational variables, especially the score-line condition (winning, drawing, losing). Moreover, the score-line affected players running performance differently depending on their playing position. Losing status increased the total distance and the distance covered at MSR, HSR, VHSR and Sprint by defenders, while attacking players showed the opposite trend. These findings may help coaches and managers to better understand the effects of situational variables on physical performance in La Liga and could be used to develop a model for predicting the physical activity profile in competition.

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Weather Conditions, Travel Distance, Rest, and Running Performance: The 2014 FIFA World Cup and Implications for the Future

Journal of Sport Management ◽

10.1123/jsm.2016-0077 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 27-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Nicholas Watanabe ◽

Pamela Wicker ◽

Grace Yan

Keyword(s):

High Intensity ◽

Weather Conditions ◽

Travel Distance ◽

Heat Index ◽

Host Countries ◽

World Cup ◽

Policy Makers ◽

Running Performance ◽

Clear Sky ◽

Travel Distances

The awarding of the hosting of the Football World Cup to Russia and Qatar initiated discussions about temperature and travel distances related to the game. This study examines the effect of weather conditions, travel distances, and rest days—three factors potentially causing fatigue—on running performance using player-level and teamlevel data from the 2014 World Cup. The results show that the heat index (combining temperature and humidity) significantly decreased running performance (number of sprints, high-intensity running), while a clear sky was positively associated with distance covered at high intensity. Travel distance and rest were insignificant. When these models are used to predict running performance at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the projections show that the combination of heat and wind could hinder the performance of both players and teams and create potentially dangerous conditions. The present study has implications for policy makers regarding the choice of future host countries.

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