Seasonal changes and variability of physical match demands  
in a highly trained female soccer team

João Barreira; Pedro Figueiredo; Cristian Petri; Luca Pengue; Francesco Perondi; Alessandro Buccolini; Jaime Fernandez-Fernandez; Fábio Nakamura

doi:10.5114/biolsport.2026.156226

eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X

Biology of Sport

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abstract:

Original paper

Seasonal changes and variability of physical match demands in a highly trained female soccer team

João Barreira

¹

,

Pedro Figueiredo

²

,

Cristian Petri

^{3, 4}

,

Luca Pengue

⁴

,

Francesco Perondi

⁴

,

Alessandro Buccolini

⁴

,

Jaime Fernandez-Fernandez

^{5, 6}

,

Fábio Y. Nakamura

^{1, 7}

Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, University of Maia, ISMAI, Maia, Portugal
Physical Education Department, College of Education, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Department of Sport and Informatics, Section of Physical Education and Sport, Pablo de Olavide University, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
A.C.F. Fiorentina S.r.l., Florence, Italy
Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Universidad de León, León, Spain
AMRED, Human Movement and Sports Performance Analysis, Universidad de León, León, Spain
Graduate Program in Physical Education, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Brazil

Biol Sport. 2026;43:587–595

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156226

Online publish date: 2025/11/21

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PlumX metrics:

This work aimed to identify the sources of variability in match physical performance of highly trained female soccer players and quantify individual between-match changes in global positioning systems (GPS) derived metrics. Official match data belonging to 27 players across two competitive seasons was analyzed, resulting in 344 individual observations. GPS metrics included total distance covered (TD), distance covered per min, high-speed running distance covered (HSRD, 19.8–25.2 km/h), high-metabolic load distance (HMLD, > 20 W/kg), maximal speed (Max speed (km/h)), and high-intensity accelerations and decelerations distances covered (> 2.5 m/s−2). Seasonal variation trends and variability across players, positions, and matches were quantified using linear mixed models. Reference values for interpreting between-match changes were established based on observed match-to-match variability and the smallest worthwhile changes. Results indicated that lower intensity metrics such as TD, m/min, and max speed were relatively stable, with a minimum detectable change of approximately ± 14%. In contrast, high-intensity metrics such as HSRD, HMLD, and acceleration/deceleration distances demonstrated greater variability, requiring changes > 30% to exceed expected fluctuations. Considering the cohort of the study, findings suggest that high-intensity metrics present the highest variability and, consequently, considerably higher minimum detectable change thresholds. Practitioners may consider the variability thresholds presented when interpreting match-to-match changes and individualizing player monitoring strategies.

keywords:

Seasonal changes and variability of physical match demands in a highly trained female soccer team

João Barreira 1 , Pedro Figueiredo 2 , Cristian Petri 3, 4 , Luca Pengue 4 , Francesco Perondi 4 , Alessandro Buccolini 4 , Jaime Fernandez-Fernandez 5, 6 , Fábio Y. Nakamura 1, 7

Performance analysis, High-speed running, Women, Football, Match performance

João Barreira

¹

,

Pedro Figueiredo

²

,

Cristian Petri

^{3, 4}

,

Luca Pengue

⁴

,

Francesco Perondi

⁴

,

Alessandro Buccolini

⁴

,

Jaime Fernandez-Fernandez

^{5, 6}

,

Fábio Y. Nakamura

^{1, 7}