Abstract
2/2024
vol. 41
Original paper
Physical match demands across different playing positions during transitional play and high-pressure activities in elite soccer
- Football Performance Hub, Institute of Coaching and Performance (ICaP), School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
- Performance & Sport Science Department, Hapoel Beer Sheva FC, Israel
- Department of Applied Sport and Exercise Science, University of East London, United Kingdom
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands
- France Football Federation, Paris, France
- Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Louth, Ireland
- Human Performance Department, Burnley FC, United Kingdom
Biol Sport. 2024;41(2):73–82
Online publish date: 2023/10/04
This study explored physical match demands across different playing positions during transitional play, to inform the need for position-specific training interventions. Data was collected using 10 Hz GPS units from 10 competitive matches including 23 elite soccer players of the 1st Polish Division (Ekstraklasa) in season 2020–21. A total of 4249 positional observations were made; center backs (n = 884), full backs (n = 972), central defensive midfielders (n = 236), central attacking midfielders (n = 270), central midfielders (n = 578), wingers (n = 778), and attackers (n = 531). Match data reflected distances covered per minute (m·min−1): total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSRD, > 19.8 km·h−1), sprint distance (SD, > 25.2 km·h−1), and the frequency of high-intensity accelerations and decelerations (A+D, > 3 m·s −2; n·min−1). Total absolute sprint distance (SD, > 25.2 km·h−1) and total relative sprint distance (Rel B5) were also quantified. A univariate analysis of variance revealed position-specific differences. Significant effects of position were found for all analysed metrics during transitional play (large ESs; p < .001). Central attacking midfielders displayed higher TD (m·min−1), fullbacks covered highest SD (m·min−1) and wingers achieved the highest A+D (n ·min−1) (p ≤ 0.05). Centre backs displayed the lowest physical outputs when compared to all other positions, except in A+D (n ·min−1) during defensive transitions (p ≤ 0.05). Attackers displayed the highest physical metrics during high pressure activities (p ≤ 0.05). Coaches should carefully consider positional transitional demands to better inform training design. With specific attention paid to drills that replicate game play.
Keywords
Soccer, Transitions, High pressure, Peak demands, Worst-case-scenario, Positions
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