49 research outputs found
The relationship between ambient temperature and match running performance of elite soccer players
No full textThe influence of environmental factors on key physical parameters of soccer players during competitive match-play have been widely investigated in the literature, although little is known on the effects of sub-zero ambient temperatures on the performance of adult elite soccer players during competitive matches. The aim of this study was to assess how the teams' match running performance indicators are related to low ambient temperature during competitive matches in the Russian Premier League. A total of 1142 matches played during the 2016/2017 to 2020/2021 seasons were examined. Linear mixed models were used to assess the relationships between changes in ambient temperature at the start of the match and changes in selected team physical performance variables, including total, running (4.0 to 5.5 m/s), high-speed running (5.5 to 7.0 m/s) and sprint (> 7.0 m/s) distances covered. The total, running and high-speed running distances showed no significant differences across temperatures up to 10 & DEG;C, while these showed small to large decreases at 11 to 20 & DEG;C and especially in the >20 & DEG;C ranges. On the contrary, sprint distance was significantly lower at temperature of -5 & DEG;C or less compared to higher temperature ranges. At sub-zero temperatures, every 1 & DEG;C lower reduced team sprint distance by 19.2 m (about 1.6%). The present findings show that a low ambient temperature is negatively related to physical match performance behavior of elite soccer players, notably associated with a reduced total sprint distance.This research was funded by the
Portuguese Foundation for Science and
Technology, I.P., Grant/Award Number UIDP/
04748/2020. The funders had no role in study
design, data collection and analysis, decision to
publish, or preparation of the manuscript.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Artificial Turf Increases the Physical Demand of Soccer by Heightening Match Running Performance Compared with Natural Grass
No full textModric, T, Esco, M, Perkovic, S, Basic, Z, Versic, S, Morgans, R, and Sekulic, D. Artificial turf increases the physical demand of soccer by heightening match running performance compared with natural grass. J Strength Cond Res 37(11): 2222–2228, 2023—This study aimed to determine differences in match running performance (MRP) of elite soccer players (n = 31) during matches played on artificial turf (AT) and natural grass (NG). The players' MRP (AT; 131 observations, NG; 135 observations) were collected during official matches (n = 32) using global positioning system and classified according to their playing positions as central defenders, central midfielders, fullbacks, forwards, and wingers. The MRP variables included total distance covered (TD), low-intensity running (LIR), moderate-intensity running (MIR), high-intensity running (HIR), total (Tacc) and high-intensity accelerations (Hacc), and total (Tdec) and high-intensity decelerations (Hdec). The influence of match outcome, location, and opponent quality was controlled for as contextual factors. Playing matches on AT resulted in (a) increased TD (Cohen's d (d) = 0.55, 0.61, and 0.28, respectively), MIR (d = 0.91, 0.79, and 0.49, respectively), and HIR (d = 0.67, 0.44, and 0.38, respectively) for central defenders, central midfielders, fullbacks; (b) increased Tacc (d = 0.38, 0.37, and 0.4, respectively) and Tdec (d = 0.31, 0.34, and 0.31, respectively) for central defenders, central midfielders, and wingers; and (c) decreased Hdec (d = −1.5) for forwards. These results show that playing on AT is more physically demanding for defensive and midfield players than playing on NG. Soccer coaches should consider implementing preparatory strategies that mitigate the increased demands of playing on AT for these players, especially before a competitive period when transitions between pitch surfaces routinely occur
Match running performance characterizing the most elite soccer match-play
No full textIn order to identify match running performance (MRP) characterizing the most elite soccer matchplay, this study aimed to examine position-specific differences in the MRP of players competing in “big five” (BFLTs) and “non-big five” league teams (N-BFLTs). The data were obtained from 24 teams (BFLTs; n = 14, N-BFLTs; n = 10) during the UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches (n = 20) in the 2020/21 season using a semiautomatic video system. The differences in MRP between BFLTs and N-BFLTs, while controlling for contextual factors, were examined using linear mixed model. No differences in overall MRP between fullbacks, central midfielders, wide midfielders and forwards from BFLTs and their peers from N-BFLTs were found, while only central defenders from BFLTs covered more high-intensity running than central defenders from BFLTs (moderate effects size). For players on all playing positions from BFLTs, total- and low-intensity distance covered were lower in offensive phase of game and greater in defensive phase of game compared to their peers from N-BFLTs (all large effect sizes). This study demonstrated that the most elite match-play in soccer is characterized by increased efforts in defensive phase of game, and decreased efforts in offensive phase of game. Soccer training programmes should be adapted accordingly
Playing position specifics of associations between running performance during the training and match in male soccer players
No full textRelative Training Load and Match Outcome: Are Professional Soccer Players Actually Undertrained during the In-Season?
No full textPrevious studies examined training/match ratios (TMr) to determine the training load relative to the match load, but the influence of the relative training load (RTL) on success in soccer is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the possible influence of RTL on final match outcome in soccer (win, draw, and loss). Running performances (RP) of soccer players (n = 21) in the Croatian highest national soccer competition were analyzed during the season 2020–2021. Data were measured by the global positioning system in 14 official matches and 67 training sessions. RTL was assessed by TMr, which were calculated as the ratio of RP during training and match in the same week, evaluating the following measures: TDr (total distance ratio), LIDr (low-intensity distance ratio), RDr (running distance ratio), HIDr (high-intensity distance ratio), ACCr (total accelerations ratio), DECr (total decelerations ratio), HI-ACCr (high-intensity accelerations ratio), HI-DECr (high-intensity decelerations ratio). All TMr were examined separately for each training session within in-season microcycles (categorized as days before the match day, i.e., MD minus). Spearman correlations were used to identify association between match outcome and TMr. The results indicated negative associations between match outcome and TDr, LIDr, ACCr and DECr on MD-1 and MD-2). In contrast, positive associations were evidenced between match outcome, and HIDr on MD-3 and TDr, LIDr, ACCr and DECr on MD-5 (p < 0.05; all moderate correlations). These findings demonstrate that final match outcome in soccer was associated with greater RTL of (i) high-intensity running three days before the match, (ii) total and low-intensity running, accelerations and decelerations five days before the match, and (iii) lower RTL of total and low-intensity running, accelerations and decelerations one and two days before the match
Match Outcome and Running Performance Among UEFA Champions League Soccer Players
No full textThis study aimed to examine position-specific differences in running performance (RP) according to the match outcome in UEFA Champions League (UCL). The players’ RPs (n=244) were collected during UCL group stage matches (n=20) in the 2020/21 season using semiautomatic optical system InStat Fitness, and classified according to their playing positions as: central defenders (CD; n=79), fullbacks (FB; n=65), central midfielders (CM; n=55), wide midfielders (WM; n=28) and forward (FW; n=17). The RP variables included: total distance covered, low-intensity (LIR) (<14.3km/h), running (14.4–19.7 km/h), high-speed running (HSR) (19.8–25.1 km/h), and sprinting (>25.2 km/h). Match outcome was observed as win, draw and loss. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine differences in RP according to the match outcome. Significant differences in TD (F-test=4.16, p=0.02) and LIR (F-test=4.51, p=0.01) among match outcomes were observed for FBs. Specifically, FBs covered significantly greater TD when their team won than when lost (p=0.03, d=0.79). In addition, FBs’ LIR was significantly greater in won matches than in drew (p=0.04, d=0.92) and lost matches (p=0.03, d=0.77). The RP of players on all other playing position were similar irrespective to the match outcome (F-test=0.08 to 2.84, all p>0.05). These results indicated that winning UCL matches is not strongly influenced by players’ physical performance, except for FBs who tended to covered greater total- and low- distance when their teams won. This study indicated limited overall influence of RP on success in matches at elite-level soccer. The findings from this study may help soccer coaches to ensure optimal physical preparation of players in elite soccer
Vpliv ekipnega presinga na uspešnost tekme v nogometu na najvišji ravni; predhodno poročilo
No full textConsidering lack of studies which investigated pressing behaviour in soccer, this study aimed to preliminary examine the influence of successful team pressing on team running performance (TRP) and team technical-tactical performance (TTP). All data were obtained from UEFA Champions League (UCL) matches (n=20) using optical system InStat Fitness. The TRP variables included total distance covered, low-intensity running (<4 m/s), running (4–5.5 m/s), high speed running (5.5–7 m/s) and sprinting (>7 m/s). The TTP variables included total actions shots on target, passes, key passes, crosses, dribbles, final third entries and penalty area entries. Linear mixed models were used to examine influence of successful team pressing on TRP and TTP. TRP was similar irrespective to number of successful pressings (t = -0.13 to 0.67, p < 0.05, all trivial to small effects sizes). All TTP tend to increase when higher rate of successful team pressings was utilized (t = 2.33 to 5.18, all p < 0.05, all large effects sizes). These findings show that i) successfully employed pressing style of play does not require increased physical performance, ii) that team pressing may be an effective tool for achieving greater success in highest-level soccer. This study may help soccer coaches to better understand physical and technical-tactical profiles of teams that utilize pressing style of play. Glede na pomanjkanje študij, ki bi proučevale vedenje, povezano s presingom v nogometu, je bil namen te študije predhodno preučiti vpliv uspešnega presinga ekipe na tekaško učinkovitost ekipe (TRP) in tehnično-taktično učinkovitost ekipe (TTP). Vsi podatki so bili pridobljeni s tekem UEFA Lige prvakov (UCL) (n=20) z uporabo optičnega sistema InStat Fitness. Spremenljivke TRP so vključevale skupno pretečeno razdaljo, tek z nizko intenzivnostjo (<4 m/s), tek (4-5.5 m/s), hiter tek (5.5-7 m/s) in sprint (>7 m/s). Spremenljivke TTP so vključevale skupno število strelov na gol, podaj, ključnih podaj, predložkov, preigravanj, vstopov v zadnjo tretjino in vstopov v kazenski prostor. Rezultati linearnega mešanega modela so pokazali, da (i) je bil TRP podoben, ne glede na število uspešnih presingov (t=-0.13 do 0.67, vse p>0.05, nepomembna do majhna velikost učinkov), (ii) se je TTP običajno povečal, ko je bilo uporabljenih več uspešnih ekipnih presingov (t=2.33 do 5.18, vse p<0.05, vse velike velikosti učinkov). Ti rezultati kažejo na pomemben vpliv ekipnega presinga na TTP in nobenega vpliva ekipnega presinga na TRP, kar nakazuje, da je sodelovalna in dobro organizirana interakcija med igralci pomembnejši dejavnik ekipnega presinga kot zgolj fizična zmogljivost. Ta študija lahko nogometnim trenerjem pomaga bolje razumeti fizične in tehnično-taktične profile ekip, ki uporabljajo slog igre, ki temelji na presingu
Aerobic fitness and game performance indicators in professional football players; playing position specifics and associations
No full textPosition Specific Running Performances in Professional Football (Soccer): Influence of Different Tactical Formations
No full textRunning performances (RPs) are known to be important parameters of success in football (soccer), but there is a lack of studies where RPs are contextualized regarding applied tactical solutions. This study aims to quantify and analyze the differences in position-specific RPs in professional football, when games are played with three defensive players (3DP) and four defensive players (4DP). The participants here include professional football players (M ± SD, age 23.57 ± 2.84 years, body height 181.9 ± 5.17 cm, body mass 78.36 ± 4.18 kg) playing at the highest competitive level in Croatia. RPs were measured by global positioning system and classified into four groups based on playing positions: central defenders (CD; n = 47), wide defenders (WD; n = 24), midfielders (MF; n = 48), or forwards (FW; n = 19). Analysis of variance and discriminant canonical analysis are used to identify differences between 3DP and 4DP tactical solutions in terms of the RPs for each playing position. The number of accelerations and decelerations most significantly contributed to the differentiation of 3DP and 4DP among MFs (Wilks λ = 0.31, p < 0.001), with higher occurrences with 3DP. For CDs, total distance, and high-intensity running were higher in 3DP (Wilks λ = 0.66, p < 0.001). No multivariate differences were found for FW and WD players in terms of the RPs between 3DP and 4DP tactical formations. The characteristics and differences shown in this study may provide useful information for coaching staff regarding changing in-season tactical formations. Additionally, the results are useful for optimizing training programs for football players with different playing positions. When changing from 4DP to 3DP tactical formations, WDs training programs should include more of high-intensity running, while MFs training programs should be more based on short intensity activities (accelerations and decelerations)
The Effect of Pitch Surface on Match Running Performance in Women’s Soccer
No full textThis study aimed to identify differences in match running performance (MRP) on artificial turf (AT) and natural grass (NG) among female football players. The players’ MRPs (AT; 96 observations, NG; 80 observations) were obtained from all matches (n = 22) of the First Slovenian women’s football league in the season 2023/24 using a global positioning system. Data were categorized into four subsets according to the players’ tactical roles: central defensive player (CD), wide defensive player (FB), midfield player (CM), and offensive player (OF). The variables included total distance (TD), high-intensity running (HIR), high-intensity accelerations (HIA), and decelerations (HID). Results indicated that (i) CDs (Cohen’s d (d) = 0.93) and CMs (d = 1.07) covered significantly greater TD on AT compared to NG, with (ii) no significant differences in TD among FBs and OFs. Additionally, (iii) similar HIR, HIA, and HID values were found for players on all playing positions, irrespective of the pitch surface. These findings suggest that overall match intensity remains consistent between surfaces, but that AT may impose a higher physical demand regarding match volume for CDs and CMs. Therefore, the physical condition of these players should be a major consideration when playing on AT
