Mach running performance in Brazilian professional soccer players: comparisons between successful and unsuccessful teams

Abstract

This study aimed to compare the match running performance between bottom- and top-ranked teams in professional soccer players. In addition, this study verified the independent and interactive effects of playing position and contextual factors on running outputs between these teams. Forty-eight professional male outfield soccer players participated in this study (top-ranked team, n=24; bottom-ranked team, n=24). The distance- and accelerometry-based measures were recorded during 69 matches using a global position system (10 Hz) integrated with an accelerometer (400 Hz). The top-ranked team covered greater total distance and high-acceleration than the bottom-ranked team in home and away matches, mainly for external defenders and midfielders (p < 0.05, effect size [ES]=moderate). The matches against top-level opponents required high values of running outputs only for the top-ranked team (p < 0.05, ES=small). In general, the match outcome (loss vs. draw vs. win) was not influenced by running performance for both bottom- and top-ranked teams (p > 0.05; ES=small), with exception for Player Load (bottom-ranked team: win > draw = loss; p < 0.05, ES=small). These findings should be taken into account when the coaches and practitioners interpret the match running outputs and when evaluating the effects of training intervention on these performance indicators.

Acute and Chronic Workload Ratios of Perceived Exertion, Global Positioning System, and Running-Based Variables Between Starters and Non-starters: A Male Professional Team Study

“…According to Figure 4 , ACWR coupled, ACWR uncoupled, and EWMA through sprint distance were higher at the beginning of the early-season than at any other time of the season. The probable reason for these findings could be less fatigue of players and their high readiness at the beginning of the season and as a result of high speeds in sprints and ball possession courses ( Aquino et al, 2021 ).…”

“…It is also worth noting that 90 percent of professional soccer players’ sprints were under 5 s, with only 10% above 5 s. Analysis of physical loads of soccer players during matches can be useful for individualization of training of soccer players’ speed capabilities ( Andrzejewski et al, 2013 ). It seems that since the training of the players of both groups is done together and there is no difference in the training of these players, in the ACWR of sprint distance, there is no significant difference between the players of the two groups ( Aquino et al, 2021 ).…”

Variations of High-Intensity GPS Derived Measures between Playing Status during a Full Soccer Season in a Professional Male Team

“…2, ACWR coupled, ACWR uncoupled, and EWMA values based on sprint distance were higher at the end-season after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic than at any other time of the season. A probable reason for this finding is that the players experienced less fatigue, possessed high readiness after the training intensity had been reduced for two weeks; the high intensity of the exercises they experienced in the mid-season as a re-sult of high speeds in sprints and changes or duration of ball possession may have played a role [36].…”