@Article{Morgans2026,
journal="Biology of Sport",
issn="0860-021X",
volume="43",
number="1",
year="2026",
title="The effect of contextualised match variables on the metabolic 
power of elite soccer players during English Premier League 
match-play",
abstract="This study examined the effect of contextualised match variables on metabolic power of elite soccer players during English Premier League (EPL) match-play across four seasons (2021/22–2024/25), comparing in-possession (MP IP ) and out-of-possession (MPOP) phases. Match data from 31 male professional soccer players retrieved from 152 regular-season EPL competitive matches was obtained via an optical tracking system and analysed with decision tree regression models. The MP IP  model demonstrated strong predictive accuracy (RMSE = 1.54; MPE = 2.04%), identifying playing position as the dominant predictor (88% of total feature importance). Defenders exhibited the lowest MPIP, while forwards in a 3-5-2 team formation showed the highest values (MP IP  = 15.7 W · kg −1 ). Conversely, the lowest MPIP values (MPIP = 12.1 W · kg −1 ) were observed when the study team did not employ a 3-5-2 team formation and faced opponents with a ranking difference of less than eight positions. The MPOP model also demonstrated robust predictive performance (RMSE = 1.59; MPE = 1.30%). Playing position was the most influential factor (44% of total feature importance), with midfielders displaying higher MPOP. Forwards had the lowest MPOP in the second half, while the highest values (MPOP = 17.1 W · kg −1 ) were observed for midfielders when the team was losing in a 3-5-2 formation. These findings confirm that positional role is the principal determinant of metabolic power in EPL match-play, with midfielders particularly exposed to elevated demands out-of-possession. Tactical structure, match status, and match period further modulate metabolic load, highlighting the need to consider context-specific training strategies.",
author="Morgans, Ryland
and Oliveira, Rafael
and Mandorino, Mauro
and Ryan, Ben
and Zmijewski, Piotr
and Modric, Toni
and Teixeira, Jose
and Moreira, Alexandre",
pages="671--678",
doi="10.5114/biolsport.2026.156783",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2026.156783"
}