Influence of contextual factors on physical demands and technical-tactical actions regarding playing position in professional soccer players

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to analyse the physical demands and technical-tactical actions for each playing position according to game location and final outcome in professional soccer players. Methods A convenience sample was obtained from twenty-one professional male soccer players, belonged to same soccer team of the Spanish Second Division. Players’ physical demands were monitored during each match using a portable 18 Hz GPS unit and 600 Hz triaxial accelerometer. These analysed demands were total distance, moderate speed running distance (>14.4 km·h-1), high-speed running distance (>19.8. km·h-1), sprint distance (>25.0 km·h-1), number of accelerations between 2 and 4 m·s-2 and above 4 m·s-2, and number of decelerations between 2 and 4 m·s-2 and above 4 m·s-2. The data related to technical-tactical actions were obtained from WyScout®, a computerized multiple-camera tracking system based on the OPTA® track analysis tool. The obtained indicators were general, defensive and offensive. Results For all players, higher total distance (p = 0.045; effect size [ES] = 0.24, small effect) was covered and greater deceleration 2-4 m·ss-2 (p = 0.001; ES = 0.68, medium effect) was performed when the team plays at home and lose and for all players, playing at home and winning demanded higher defensive volume (p =0.014; ES = − 1.49, large effect) and nº interceptions (p =0.031; ES = − 1.40, large effect) in comparison to playing at home and losing. Conclusions The physical demands and technical-tactical actions vary when contextual game factors (i.e., match location and final outcome) are considered. We can confirm that, although the training of physical demands does not influence the final result of the match, the training of technical tactical actions could help to achieve an optimal performance of the team to win matches.

Impact of the Menstrual Cycle Phases on the Movement Patterns of Sub-Elite Women Soccer Players during Competitive Matches

“…As contextual-related variables may affect the soccer players' movement patterns [26], we recorded the game location (match at home or away), match outcome (won, drawn, or lost), and quality of opposition (i.e., the differences in ranking and points between the player's team and that of her opponent) (Table 2). Ranking difference = Difference between the championship ranking of the player's team and the ranking of her opponents.…”

Fluctuations in External Peak Demands Across Quarters During Basketball Games

“…These outcomes suggest players cannot attain as high peak external demands when accumulating more playing time leading into intense passages of player during games ( Alonso Perez-Chao et al, 2021 ). In addition to fatigue mechanisms, the decline in TD, PL, and HSR may be related to situational variables such as competition type or opponent’s strength ( Oliva-Lozano et al, 2020 ; Vázquez-Guerrero et al, 2020 ), score-line ( Vázquez-Guerrero et al, 2020 ), congestion schedule ( Edwards et al, 2018 ), next match location ( Oliveira et al, 2021 ), player position/role ( Alonso et al, 2020 ; Rojas-Valverde et al, 2020 ; Vázquez-Guerrero et al, 2020 ; Díez et al, 2021 ), the inherent demands of the specific player characteristics, time played, tactical strategies, pace or more time-outs, and stoppages in play for a change in possession of free-throw during the last quarter.…”

The influence of maturation, fitness, and hormonal indices on minutes played in elite youth soccer players: a cross-sectional study

“…Moreover, because of the anabolic activity during growth, it is expected that early maturers have greater neural and structural stimuli, resulting in the maximization of existing qualities, thus surpassing the later maturers [ 7 , 22 , 23 ]. In fact, it has been shown that early maturing players outperformed later maturers in aerobic capacity, speed, strength, and power [ 14 , 24 , 25 ]. However, late maturing soccer players appear to benefit more than early maturers in terms of balance and body control, as maturational advanced players have to deal with an augmented coordination awkwardness [ 26 ].…”