Mach running performance in Brazilian professional soccer players: comparisons between successful and unsuccessful teams

This study aimed to compare the match running performance between bottom- and top-ranked teams in professional soccer players. In addition, this study verified the independent and interactive effects of playing position and contextual factors on running outputs between these teams. Forty-eight professional male outfield soccer players participated in this study (top-ranked team, n=24; bottom-ranked team, n=24). The distance- and accelerometry-based measures were recorded during 69 matches using a global position system (10 Hz) integrated with an accelerometer (400 Hz). The top-ranked team covered greater total distance and high-acceleration than the bottom-ranked team in home and away matches, mainly for external defenders and midfielders (p < 0.05, effect size [ES]=moderate). The matches against top-level opponents required high values of running outputs only for the top-ranked team (p < 0.05, ES=small). In general, the match outcome (loss vs. draw vs. win) was not influenced by running performance for both bottom- and top-ranked teams (p > 0.05; ES=small), with exception for Player Load (bottom-ranked team: win > draw = loss; p < 0.05, ES=small). These findings should be taken into account when the coaches and practitioners interpret the match running outputs and when evaluating the effects of training intervention on these performance indicators.

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Match running performance in Brazilian professional soccer players: comparisons between successful and unsuccessful teams

BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s13102-021-00324-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rodrigo Aquino ◽

Luiz Guilherme Gonçalves ◽

Marcos Galgaro ◽

Thiago Santi Maria ◽

Eduardo Rostaiser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Global Positioning System ◽

High Speed ◽

Interactive Effects ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Running Performance ◽

Total Distance ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

High Acceleration ◽

Independent Analysis ◽

Global Positioning

Abstract Background This study aimed to compare the match running performance between bottom- and top-ranked teams in professional soccer players over the 2020 season of the Brazilian National 2nd Division League. In addition, this study verified the independent and interactive effects of playing position and contextual factors on running outputs between these teams. Methods Forty-eight professional male outfield soccer players participated in this study (top-ranked team, n = 24; bottom-ranked team, n = 24). The distance- and accelerometry-based measures were recorded during 69 matches using a global positioning system (10 Hz) integrated with an accelerometer (400 Hz). Results The top-ranked team covered greater total distance [median (interquartile range); 10,330.0 m (1430.0)] and high-acceleration [97.0 m (32.0)] than the bottom-ranked team, in home and away matches [p < 0.05, effect size (ES) = small]. The midfielders of the top-ranked team covered higher total distance, high-speed running (> 18 km h−1), high acceleration (≥ 3 m s−2), high-deceleration (≤ −3 m s−2), and performed more sprints [(> 25 km h−1) compared to midfielders of the bottom-ranked team (p < 0.05, η2 = small-moderate]. The matches against top-level opponents required high values of high-acceleration and number of sprints only for the top-ranked team (p < 0.05, ES = small). Independent analysis showed that match outcome (loss vs. draw vs. win) was not influenced by running performance for both bottom- and top-ranked teams (p > 0.05; η2 = small). However, the top-ranked team covered greater total distance, high-acceleration/deceleration than bottom-ranked team in loss matches (p < 0.05, η2 = small). Conclusions These findings should be considered when the coaches and practitioners interpret the match running outputs and when evaluating the effects of training intervention on these performance indicators.

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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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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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Associations Between Selected Training-Stress Measures and Fitness Changes in Male Soccer Players

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2018-0462 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (8) ◽

pp. 1050-1057 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Alireza Rabbani ◽

Mehdi Kargarfard ◽

Carlo Castagna ◽

Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽

Craig Twist

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

High Intensity ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Running Performance ◽

Total Distance ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Before And After ◽

Body Load ◽

Training Stress ◽

Training Impulse

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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External Load Variations Between Medium- and Large-Sided Soccer Games: Ball Possession Games vs Regular Games with Small Goals

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2019-0031 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 191-198 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽

Gibson Moreira Praça ◽

Sarah da Glória Teles Bredt ◽

Cornelis M. I. van der Linden ◽

Jaime Serra-Olivares

Keyword(s):

Effect Size ◽

External Load ◽

Training Load ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Accelerometer Data ◽

Load Variations ◽

Total Distance ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Possession Condition

Abstract This study compared external load variations between 5 vs 5 and 10 vs 10 sided game formats played under two conditions: (i) a ball possession game with two floaters, and (ii) a regular game with goalkeepers and small goals. Twenty-two professional soccer players participated in this study: four central defenders, four wide defenders, nine central midfielders, three wide forwards, and three strikers. Total distance (TD), running distance (RD), sprinting distance (SD), number of sprints (NS), and player’s training load (PL) were recorded by GPS units. Within-format analyses revealed very likely large increases in TD (20.0%, [9.2; 31.9]; effect size (ES): 1.48, [0.71; 2.25]) and RD (130.9%, [20.2; 343.7]; ES: 1.32, [0.29; 2.35]) during the regular game when compared to the ball possession game in the 5 vs 5 format. In the 10 vs 10 format, large increases in TD (27.9%, [17.7; 39.1]; ES: 3.54, [2.34; 4.74]) and PL (27.4%, [12.6; 44.1]; ES: 2.46, [1.20; 3.72]) were observed in the regular condition when compared to the ball possession condition. Between-formats analyses revealed that, in the 10 vs 10 format, when compared to the 5 vs 5 format, RD was very likely larger (123.5%, [33.7; 273.7]), as was SD (195.8%, [20.5; 626.2]). However, very likely large decreases in PL were observed in the 10 vs 10 format (-19.6%; [-29.4; -8.3]) in the ball possession condition. Unclear differences were revealed based on variations in external load variables between formats in the regular condition. Smaller formats reduce the area available for running and sprinting and, thus, may be more adequate for increasing player’s training load (based on accelerometer data).

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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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Comparison of Official and Friendly Matches through Acceleration, Deceleration and Metabolic Power Measures: A Full-Season Study in Professional Soccer Players

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18115980 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (11) ◽

pp. 5980

Author(s):

Hadi Nobari ◽

Sara Mahmoudzadeh Khalili ◽

Rafael Oliveira ◽

Alfonso Castillo-Rodríguez ◽

Jorge Pérez-Gómez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Effect Size ◽

Total Duration ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Metabolic Power ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Premier League ◽

Small Effect Size ◽

Moderate Effect Size ◽

High Effort

Soccer is a popular team sport and highly demanding activity that requires high effort and long-term training plans. The goals of this study were to compare the accelerations, decelerations and metabolic power between official and friendly full matches, between the first and second halves of the matches, and between both halves of official and friendly matches. Twelve professional soccer players (age, 28.6 ± 2.7 years; height, 182.1 ± 8.6 cm; body mass, 75.3 ± 8.2 kg; BMI, 22.6 ± 0.7 kg/m2) participated in this study. A total of 33 official and 10 friendly matches were analyzed from the Iranian Premier League. All matches were monitored using GPSPORTS systems Pty Ltd. The following variables were selected: total duration of the matches, metabolic power, accelerations Zone1 (<2 m·s−2) (AccZ1), accelerations Zone2 (2 to 4 m·s−2) (AccZ2), accelerations Zone3 (>4 m·s−2) (AccZ3), decelerations Zone1 (<−2 m·s−2) (DecZ1), decelerations Zone2 (−2 to −4 m·s−2) (DecZ2) and decelerations Zone3 (>−4 m·s−2) (DecZ3). The major finding was shown in metabolic power, where higher values occurred in friendly matches (p < 0.05 with small effect size). Furthermore, total duration, AccZ3, DecZ1, DecZ2, and DecZ3 were revealed to be higher in official matches, while AccZ1 and AccZ2 were higher in friendly matches. The second half of the official matches revealed higher values for total duration compared to friendly matches (p < 0.05, moderate effect size). In conclusion, this study observed higher values of metabolic power in friendly matches compared to official matches. AccZ3, DecZ1, DecZ2, and DecZ3 were higher in official matches, while AccZ1 and AccZ2 were higher in friendly matches.

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A New Approach for Training-load Quantification in Elite-level Soccer: Contextual Factors

International Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1055/a-1289-9059 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Berni Guerrero-Calderón ◽

Maximilian Klemp ◽

Alfonso Castillo-Rodriguez ◽

José Alfonso Morcillo ◽

Daniel Memmert

Keyword(s):

High Speed ◽

Prediction Models ◽

Contextual Factors ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Total Distance ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Equivalent Distance ◽

Physical Responses ◽

Match Location

AbstractThe aims of this study were to analyse the physical responses of professional soccer players during training considering the contextual factors of match location, season period, and quality of the opposition; and to establish prediction models of physical responses during training sessions. Training data was obtained from 30 professional soccer players from Spanish La Liga using global positioning technology (N=1365 performances). A decreased workload was showed during training weeks prior to home matches, showing large effects in power events, equivalent distance, total distance, walk distance and low-speed running distance. Also, the quality of the opposition also affected the training workload (p<0.05). All regression-models showed moderate effects, with an adjusted R2 of 0.37 for metabolic-work, 0.34 for total distance covered, 0.25 for high-speed running distance (18–21 km·h−1), 0.29 for very high-speed running distance (21–24 km·h−1), 0.22 for sprint running distance (>24 km·h−1) and 0.34 for equivalent distance. The main finding of this study was the great association of match location, season period and quality of opposition on the workload performed by players in the training week before the match; and the development of workload prediction-models considering these contextual factors, thus proposing a new and innovative approach to quantify the workload in soccer.

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A New Approach to the Analysis of Pitch-Positions in Professional Soccer

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.2478/hukin-2018-0067 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 66 (1) ◽

pp. 143-153 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Marek Konefał ◽

Paweł Chmura ◽

Tomasz Zając ◽

Jan Chmura ◽

Edward Kowalczuk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motion Analysis ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Motion Analysis System ◽

Running Speed ◽

Heat Maps ◽

New Approach ◽

Total Distance ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Percentage Share ◽

Analysis System

Abstract The purpose of the study was to examine how various playing positions affected the number of (and percentage breakdowns for) physical and technical activities of soccer players in the Germany’s Bundesliga. A further objective was to identify and present features distinguishing between the activities of players within the Defender, Midfielder and Forward formations. The study sample comprised 4426 individual match observations of 473 soccer players competing in the Bundesliga during the 2016/2017 domestic season. Data from the Impire AG motion analysis system, and the so-called ”heat maps” it supplies, revealed areas in which players spent most time during a match, with 22 different playing positions on the pitch identified in consequence. Players in the formation comprising Defenders did not differ significantly in relation to the number of accelerations, the number of shots or the percentage of duels won. Furthermore, there were no significant differences among Midfielders in regard to total distance covered, mean running speed, the number of accelerations, the number of duels and the percentage of duels won. Likewise, Forwards did not differ in distances covered at ≥24 km/h, average running speed, the number of sprints, the number of shots, the proportion of on-target passes, the number of duels, or the percentage share of duels won. Irrespective of the formation or position on the pitch, today’s game of soccer also pays great importance to the number of accelerations, as well as the number of duels engaged in, and their effectiveness.

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