Match running performance is similar in lower and higher competitive standards of Spanish professional soccer accounting for effective playing time.

This study aimed to compare match running performance of players in the top two competitive standards of Spanish professional soccer, accounting for effective playing time (the duration of play after subtracting the game interruptions). A total of 2,784 match observations from 44 teams competing in the Spanish First Division (LaLiga Santander) and the Second Division (LaLiga Smartbank) were undertaken during two consecutive seasons (from 2021/22 to 2022/23). Total distance (TD), medium-speed running (MSR, distance 14.1-21 km · h-1), high-speed running (HSR, > 21 km · h-1), very high-speed running (VHSR, 21.1-24 km · h-1) and sprinting speed running distance (Sprint, > 24 km · h-1) were analyzed using a computerized tracking system (TRACAB, Chyronhego, New York, NY). These physical performance variables were calculated for both total and effective playing time. The main results showed that the mean effective playing time was significantly higher in matches of the First Division than in the Second Division (p < .01). In contrast to those observed when total playing time was considered, there were no significant differences (p > .05) between both competitive standards on medium speed running (MSR), high speed running (HSR), very high-speed running (VHSR), and sprint distances when the effective playing time was considered. Such findings demonstrate that contrary to previous research match running performance of players was similar in lower and higher competitive standards. Thus, effective playing time should be taken into account when interpreting the match running performance of professional soccer players.

To train or not to train (on match day)? Influence of a priming session on match performance in competitive elite-level soccer.

This study examined the effect of a morning priming session consisted of stretching, mobility, core and lower-body resistance, and reactive agility exercises on match performance in elite-level soccer players. Information on physical and technical performance was collected during competitive matches (n = 32) and subsequently classified as those preceded or not preceded by a priming session. Results showed significantly increased (i) distance covered overall (Cohen's d (d) = 0.34, p = 0.011), in moderate-intensity (d = 0.52, p = 0.001) and high-intensity running (d = 0.30, p = 0.024), and (ii) frequency of duels (d = 0.26, p = 0.050) in matches preceded by a priming session compared to those not preceded by a priming session. These findings show that players' physical performance was notably enhanced due to the pre-match routines that the team implemented on match day, while technical performance was in general similar irrespective of whether a priming session was implemented or not before the match. Therefore, morning priming session implemented on match day can be recommended as an effective pre-match strategy to increase players' physical performance in soccer without negative consequences on technical performance.

Evolution of physical and technical parameters in the Spanish LaLiga 2012-2019.

This study aimed to examine the position-specific evolution of technical and physical parameters in the Spanish LaLiga over an eight-season period. Match performance data of players were analysed for eight consecutive seasons from 2012/2013 to 2019/2020. A total of 32,775 individual match observations were analysed using a computerised tracking system (TRACAB, Chyronhego, New York, USA). The players were classified into five positional roles: central defenders (CD; match observations = 9,089), external defenders (ED; match observations = 7,876), central midfielders (CM; match observations = 8,276), external midfielders (EM; match observations = 3,949), and forwards (F; match observations = 3,585). Generalised linear models were used to analyse the differences in players' match performance according to the season and playing position. Total distance decreased by 3.2% in the final season versus the first season (p < 0.01, effect size = 0.37) in all playing positions. The number of efforts made at high-intensity running (HIR) increased across the eight seasons (ranging from 14.6% in ED to 9.2% in EM). However, whereas CD (+8.2%), ED (+9.5%), CM (+9.3%), and F (+8.0%) increased HIR distance from 2012 to 2020, no significant differences were found for EM (+1.7%). Overall, no differences were found in the number of total passes, short passes, long passes, and pass accuracy. Interestingly, CD increased the number of total passes (30.60%), short passes (31.5%), and long passes (26.5%). Finally, players performed 46.0% less tackles, 40.8% less clearances, and 10.0% more interceptions over the eight-season period. These findings may be useful for position-specific technical and physical training and talent identification.

No sport for old players. A longitudinal study of aging effects on match performance in elite soccer.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the effects of age on match-related physical and technical-tactical performance in elite soccer players using a longitudinal design. METHODS: Data were collected from 154 players who competed in the Spanish first division (LaLiga) between the 2012-13 and 2019-20 seasons. A total of 14,092 individual match observations were analyzed using a computerized tracking system (TRACAB, Chyronhego, New York, NY). The players were classified into five positional roles: central defenders (n = 37); external defenders (n = 44); central midfielders (n = 34); external midfielders (n = 22); and forwards (n = 17). RESULTS: The main results showed that (a) soccer players decreased by an average of 0.56% their total distance covered for each year that they got older. Similarly, the number of high-intensity efforts and distance covered at high-intensity running decreased by 1.80% and 1.42% per year, respectively; (b) players significantly increased their pass accuracy by an average of 0.25% each year that they got older; (c) the detrimental effect of age on total distance and high-intensity running was greater for external defenders, external midfielders, and forwards; and (d) the positive effect of age on pass accuracy was greater for central defenders and central midfielders. CONCLUSIONS: Elite soccer players with long-term careers were unable to maintain their match-related physical performance as they got older. However, players can annually improve their technical-tactical skills with increasing age as a possible compensation mechanism against physical performance declines related to aging.

Impact of elite soccer coaching change on team performance according to coach- and club-related variables.

A coaching change is an extreme, but frequently occurring phenomenon in elite soccer with its impact on team success debatable. The aim of the current study was twofold: (i) to compare team's performance when coached by new and old coaches; and (ii) to investigate the impact of a coaching change on team's performance according to coach- and club-related factors. All in-season coaching changes from the 2010-11 to 2017-18 seasons within the Spanish, French, English, German and Italian professional leagues were examined. Team performance was assessed as points awarded from match outcome over 1-20 matches prior to and following the coaching change. Four independent variables (coach's experience, team's budget, whether the coach had been an elite former player or not, and whether the coach was a novice or not) were included into linear regression modelling. The main results showed that team's short-term performance was improved significantly with a change to a new coach with this impact declining in the longer term (> 10 matches). Specifically, the number of points (1.15-1.32 vs. 0.37-1.03, p < 0.05) and the moving average of points (1.19-1.31 vs. 0.37-1.04, p < 0.05) awarded per match were significantly greater after the coaching change. Further, the winning effect due to the new coach was independent of coach-related factors such as coaching experience or the new coach being a former elite player. A critical organisational decision to change coaches may provide an essential stimulus for future team success in elite soccer.

Long-Term Trend Analysis of Playing Styles in the Chinese Soccer Super League.

The aim of this study was to identify playing styles adopted by teams in the Chinese Soccer Super League (CSL) and to investigate their evolution across a 6-season period. Data were collected from 1,429 CSL matches from 2012 to 2017 seasons using the Amisco system. Seventeen technical performance-related indicators and eleven physical performance-related indicators were included in the factor analysis (PCA: principal components analysis) in order to group them into performance factors (styles of play). Seven factors were obtained (eigenvalues greater than 1) and explained 74.44% of the total variance. Multivariate analyses of covariance (MANCOVA) were used to check differences among seven styles of play (team's ranking was used as a covariate) during the six seasons under study. The main findings showed that Factor 1 (high intensity play) and factor 3 (offensive actions) of CSL soccer increased substantially along the seasons. Coaches and sports scientists should take into consideration these performance trends when preparing training and controlling for matches.

Effects of Age on Match-related Acceleration and Deceleration Efforts in Elite Soccer Players.

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of chronological age on acceleration and deceleration match performance in professional soccer players. A total of 5317 individual match observations were collected on 420 professional players competing in the Spanish LaLiga during the 2018-2019 season, using a multiple-camera computerised tracking system (TRACAB; ChyronHego, Melville, NY, USA). Players were classified using a k-means cluster analysis into four different age groups: 17-23 years, 24-27 years, 28-30 years, and 31-38 years. Linear mixed models were adjusted to compare the players' match performance according to their age group and playing position (central defenders, external defenders, central midfielders, external midfielders, and forwards). The results showed that players aged between 31-38 years performed a significantly less total number of accelerations (ES=0.30-0.48) and decelerations (ES=0.29-0.49) in comparison with younger players. These age-related physical performance declines were more pronounced among central defenders, central midfielders, and forwards. However, no significant effects were obtained for players' maximum acceleration and deceleration capacities. The current findings provide useful information for coaches and strength and conditioning specialists to better understand the effects of age on players' physical performance and to develop age-tailored training programs.

Do elite soccer players cover less distance when their team spent more time in possession of the ball?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the association between the time spent in possession by teams and the match-running performance in elite soccer matches.Methods: Match performance data were collected from players in Spanish LaLiga (8,468 individual match observations of 412 outfield players) using a multiple-camera computerised tracking system. A k-means cluster analyses classified teams depending on time spent in possession of the ball: very high-percentage ball possession teams (VHPBPT), high-percentage ball possession teams (HPBPT), low-percentage ball possession teams (LPBPT) and very low-percentage ball possession teams (VLPBPT).Results: Overall, physical indicators were highly associated with ball possession. Distances covered in VHPBPT were lower than HPBPT, LPBPT and VLPBPT, especially at low and medium speed. Position-specific changes were also evident for physical profiles. Attackers (central midfielders, external midfielders and forwards) in VHPBPT covered fewer meters per minute at any speed than their counterparts in HPBPT, LPBPT or VLPBPT. However, defenders (Central defenders and External defenders) in VLPBPT covered lower distances.Conclusion: These findings may have a great deal of practical implications and may help coaches to better understand match-running variations according to ball possession strategies and could be used to develop a model for predicting the physical activity profile in competition.

Elite Soccer Players do Not Cover Less Distance in the Second Half of the Matches When Game Interruptions Are Considered.

ABSTRACT: Rey, E, Kalén, A, Lorenzo-Martínez, M, López-Del Campo, R, Nevado-Garrosa, F, and Lago-Peñas, C. Elite soccer players do not cover less distance in the second half of the matches when game interruptions are considered. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-This study aimed to analyze quantitative differences in the physical demands of male elite soccer players between the first and second halves during official matches, accounting for effective playing time (the duration of play after subtracting the game interruptions) and playing positions. A total of 4,249 individual match observations of 412 outfield players competing in the Spanish first division league (LaLiga) were undertaken during the 2018-2019 season, using a computerized tracking system (TRACAB, Chyronhego, New York, NY). The players were classified into 5 positional roles: central defenders (CD), external defenders (ED), central midfielders (CM), external midfielders (EM), and forwards (F). The main results showed that in contrast to those observed when total playing time was considered, independent of playing position, there were no significant differences on high-speed running (HSR) (5.5 ± 2.4 vs. 5.5 ± 2.4 m·min-1) and sprint (5.3 ± 3.3 vs. 5.4 ± 3.3 m·min-1) distances between the first and second halves in professional soccer players when the effective playing time was considered. However, differences in match running performance at HSR and sprint distances between the first and second halves were dependent on players' playing position. Whereas ED and EM maintained HSR and sprint efforts during the second half, CD and CM significantly increased (p < 0.001) the distance covered at sprint during the second period of the match. Contrarily, F were unable to maintain their HSR (6.2 ± 2.3 vs. 5.9 ± 3.3 m·min-1) and sprint (7.0 ± 3.5 vs. 6.5 ± 3.4 m·min-1) match running performances during the second half. Such findings demonstrate that total playing time could overestimate fatigue-induced performance declines. Thus, effective playing time and playing position should be taken into account when interpreting the match running performance of professional soccer players.

Passing Networks and Tactical Action in Football: A Systematic Review.

The aim of this study is to examine the most significant literature on network analyses and factors associated with tactical action in football. A systematic review was conducted on Web of Science, taking into account the PRISMA guidelines using the keyword "network", associated with "football" or "soccer". The search yielded 162 articles, 24 of which met the inclusion criteria. Significant results: (a) 50% of the studies ratify the importance of network structures, quantifying and comparing properties to determine the applicability of the results instead of analyzing them separately; (b) 12.5% analyze the process of offensive sequences and communication between teammates by means of goals scored; (c) the studies mainly identify a balance in the processes of passing networks; (d) the variables allowed for the interpretation of analyses of grouping metrics, centralization, density and heterogeneity in connections between players of the same team. Finally, a systematic analysis provides a functional understanding of knowledge that will help improve the performance of players and choose the most appropriate response within the circumstances of the game.

Age-related physical and technical match performance changes in elite soccer players.

The age of peak performance is likely to vary between sports and competitions, affected by the specific skills and attributes needed to succeed in the particular competition. However, no studies using modern tracking techniques have examined the effects of age on competitive match play performance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of age on match physical and technical performance using a large-scale analysis of match performance in professional soccer players. A total of 14 546 individual match observations were undertaken in the first German league (Bundesliga) during the 2012-2013, 2013-2014, and 2014-2015 seasons using a computerized tracking system (VISTRACK, by Impire Corp.). Differences in physical and technical match performance of soccer players were analyzed for the following variables: total distance covered, number of fast runs, number of sprints, and percentage of successful passes. Professional soccer players aged >30 years showed a significant lower performance in the total distance covered, the number of fast runs, and the number of sprints compared with younger players (≤30 years). Conversely, the player's ability to make successful passes increased with age. These effects were observed in all positional roles except wide midfielders. These findings may help coaches and managers to better understand the effects of age on match-related physical and technical performance and may have the potential to assist in decisions such as, when a new contract would be signed, the duration of the contract, the salary, or when to replace or transfer a player depending on their age.

Player Migration and Soccer Performance.

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between migrating soccer players and the annual ranking of the national teams according to the World Football Elo Rating. The sample includes annual data for 243 countries over the period 1994-2018. Migration is captured with the number of migrating players by country in the "big-five" leagues. The causal relationship between the two variables is examined by using Granger causality test. Four control variables are included: the political regime, per capita income, population, and regional soccer confederations. It was hypothesized that (i) the better the ranking of the national teams in the Elo rating, the higher the number of migrating players in the "big-five" leagues (shop-window hypotheses) and that (ii) while the shop-window effect takes place in the short-run, the annual Elo rating of a national team is positively affected by expatriate players in the medium or long-run, but not in the short-run (blending hypotheses). The results shed light on two crucial issues. First, causality mainly goes from national soccer performance to migrating soccer players rather than the other way around. Second, the timing of the two effects is quite different. While those players giving an outstanding performance when their national team is doing well are immediately bought by clubs from more highly ranked leagues (the shop-window effect), it takes at least 4 years for the additional skills acquired by migrated players to have a positive effect on the national soccer performance (the blending effect).

Are Soccer Players Older Now Than Before? Aging Trends and Market Value in the Last Three Decades of the UEFA Champions League.

The aims of the current study were to analyze the evolution of players' age in the UEFA Champions League since the start of its modern-day format in 1992-1993 up until 2017-2018 and to determine how the players' age relates to their market value. The sample consisted of all players participating in the UEFA Champions League from the 1992-1993 to 2017-2018 seasons (n = 16062). The following variables were used in this study: players' age, number of seasons in the club, number of Champions Leagues won, team performance, and market value of the player in the season. Data were examined using a one-way ANOVA and a linear regression. The main finding of the current study is that an aging trend has occurred in the last three decades in the Champions League. A significant increase in average players' age (>1.6 years) was observed, rising from an age of 24.9 to 26.5 years. Goalkeepers and Center Backs tend to peak later than attackers, and their peak performance can last until an age of about 31 years. Finally, an inverted-U curve defines the association between market value and age, with peak value appearing in the 26-30 age range. These results provide useful information regarding at which age soccer players are likely to perform at the highest level, as well as the age they are likely to have the highest market value.

Data-Driven Visual Performance Analysis in Soccer: An Exploratory Prototype.

In soccer, understanding of collective tactical behavior has become an integral part in sports analysis at elite levels. Evolution of technology allows collection of increasingly larger and more specific data sets related to sport activities in cost-effective and accessible manner. All this information is minutely scrutinized by thousands of analysts around the globe in search of answers that can in the long-term help increase the performance of individuals or teams in their respective competitions. As the volume of data increases in size, so does the complexity of the problem and the need for suitable tools that leverage the cognitive load involved in the investigation. It is proven that visualization and computer-vision techniques, correctly applied to the context of a problem, help data analysts focus on the relevant information at each stage of the process, and generally lead to a better understanding of the facts that lie behind the data. In the current study, we presented a software prototype capable of assisting researchers and performance analysts in their duty of studying group collective behavior in soccer games and trainings. We used geospatial data acquired from a professional match to demonstrate its capabilities in two different case studies. Furthermore, we successfully proved the efficiency of the different visualization techniques implemented in the prototype and demonstrated how visual analysis can effectively improve some of the basic tasks employed by sports experts on their daily work, complementing more traditional approaches.

Seasonal Body Composition Variation Amongst Elite European Professional Soccer Players: An Approach of Talent Identification.

The primary aim of the investigation was to study the seasonal changes in body composition in elite European soccer players and identify key playing positional differences. Twenty-two players (age = 24 ± 3.7 years, body height = 180.45 ± 5.12 cm, body mass = 76.66 ± 5.34 kg) were tested. Players' mass (kg), lean body mass (LBM), fat free mass (FFM), fat mass (FM), muscle girths (MG) and sum of 8 skinfolds (mm) were measured across 5 time points (T0 = Start of pre-season training; T1 = End of pre-season training; T2 = Mid-season; T3 = End of mid-season break; T4 = End of season). Players were divided into their tactical positional roles for analysis. The specific positions they were divided into included defenders (n = 8), midfielders (n = 8) and forwards (n = 6). Assessment of training and matchplay exposure were also recorded. Sites-4, Sites-7, Sites-8 and Fat Mass decreased dramatically from T0 to T1 and T2 in all playing positions (p < 0.01), while no remarkable differences were found between T2, T3 and T4. Except for defenders, calf girth and lean mass were higher in T2, T3 and T4 compared to T0 and T1 (p < 0.01). Midfielders were found to be leaner than forwards and defenders in all data collection time point sessions. Defenders showed higher values in calf girth and lean body mass than midfielders and forwards. It can be concluded from this investigation that there are large variances n positional body composition profiles amongst professional European soccer players. Furthermore, significant changes are prevalent and occur across the season from LBM, FFM, MG and skinfold assessment amongst European elite level soccer players.

Running Performance in Brazilian Professional Football Players During a Congested Match Schedule.

Palucci Vieira, LH, Aquino, R, Lago-Peñas, C, Munhoz Martins, GH, Puggina, EF, and Barbieri, FA. Running performance in Brazilian professional football players during a congested match schedule. J Strength Cond Res 32(2): 313-325, 2018-The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of playing congested fixtures (2 matches a week) on running performance of Brazilian professional football players, pooled (all performance files regardless players' rotation between games) or individualized data treatment (including only files of athletes' who played pair(s) of noncongested-congested matches which occurred on the same week). Forty participants were observed 1-37 times during 59 official matches over 3 years. Global positioning system devices were used to compute total distance covered, maximal sprinting speed mean speed (VAVERAGE), and high-intensity activities (HIA: ≥15 km·h). Independent variables included match status (win, draw, and lose), location (home and away), opponent quality (weak and strong), competitive standard (national and state), team formation (4-4-2 and 4-3-3), and position (defender, midfielder, and forward). Student's t-test, effect sizes (d), and magnitude-based inferences were performed to detect differences between congested and noncongested fixtures for each independent factor. Overall, pooled and individualized data treatment revealed contrasting results. The first showed chances of positive outcomes playing congested matches (possibly to very likely; d = 0.09-0.55), for all variables, as using 4-4-2 and state tournament. Conversely, individualized data analysis revealed that during national leagues (possibly; d = 0.24) or forward position (likely; d = 0.70), the players presented reduced HIA when played congested than noncongested periods (p ≤ 0.05). Using 4-3-3 (d = 0.26) or when draw (d = 0.41), possibly lower HIA was also identified. Coaching staff should be aware of performance oscillations such as detrimental effects on HIA during congested periods.

Influence of Tactical and Situational Variables on Offensive Sequences During Elite Football Matches.

Sarmento, H, Figueiredo, A, Lago-Peñas, C, Milanovic, Z, Barbosa, A, Tadeu, P, and Bradley, PS. Influence of tactical and situational variables on offensive sequences during elite football matches. J Strength Cond Res 32(8): 2331-2339, 2018-This study examined the influence of tactical and situational variables on offensive sequences during elite football matches. A sample of 68 games and 1,694 offensive sequences from the Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, German Bundesliga, English Premier League, and Champions League were analyzed using χ and logistic regression analyses. Results revealed that counterattacks (odds ratio [OR] = 1.44; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.13-1.83; p < 0.01) and fast attacks (OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.11-1.85; p < 0.01) increased the success of an offensive sequence by 40% compared with positional attacks. The chance of an offensive sequence ending effectively in games from the Spanish, Italian, and English Leagues were higher than that in the Champions League. Offensive sequences that started in the preoffensive or offensive zones were more successful than those started in the defensive zones. An increase of 1 second in the offensive sequence duration and an extra pass resulted in a decrease of 2% (OR = 0.98; 95% CI: 0.98-0.99; p < 0.001) and 7% (OR = 0.93; 95% CI: 0.91-0.96; p < 0.001), respectively, in the probability of its success. These findings could assist coaches in designing specific training situations that improve the effectiveness of the offensive process.

High Speed Running and Sprinting Profiles of Elite Soccer Players.

Real Madrid was named as the best club of the 20th century by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics. The aim of this study was to compare if players from Real Madrid covered shorter distances than players from the opposing team. One hundred and forty-nine matches including league, cup and UEFA Champions League matches played by the Real Madrid were monitored during the 2001-2002 to the 2006-2007 seasons. Data from both teams (Real Madrid and the opponent) were recorded. Altogether, 2082 physical performance profiles were examined, 1052 from the Real Madrid and 1031 from the opposing team (Central Defenders (CD) = 536, External Defenders (ED) = 491, Central Midfielders (CM) = 544, External Midfielders (EM) = 233, and Forwards (F) = 278). Match performance data were collected using a computerized multiple-camera tracking system (Amisco Pro®, Nice, France). A repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for distances covered at different intensities (sprinting (>24.0 km/h) and high-speed running (21.1-24.0 km/h) and the number of sprints (21.1-24.0 km/h and >24.0 km/h) during games for each player sectioned under their positional roles. Players from Real Madrid covered shorter distances in high-speed running and sprint than players from the opposing team (p < 0.01). While ED did not show differences in their physical performance, CD (p < 0.05), CM (p < 0.01), EM (p < 0.01) and F (p > 0.01) from Real Madrid covered shorter distances in high-intensity running and sprint and performed less sprints than their counterparts. Finally, no differences were found in the high-intensity running and sprint distances performed by players from Real Madrid depending on the quality of the opposition.