SECTION III - SPORTS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY / RESEARCH PAPER
Analysis of Differences in Running Demands between
Official Matches and Transition Games
of Young Professional Soccer Players according
to the Playing Position
1
Department of Sport sciences, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, España.
2
Football Science Institute, Granada, España.
3
FC Lugano, Performance Departament, Lugano, Switzerland.
Submission date: 2023-07-11
Final revision date: 2023-10-01
Acceptance date: 2023-11-16
Online publication date: 2024-02-17
Corresponding author
Journal of Human Kinetics 2024;92:121-131
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to compare the running demands of transition games (TGs) and official matches, analysing their requirements according to the performance of each position. An observational design was used to examine the activity of 20 soccer players during official matches and TGs. GPS technology was used to monitor the total distance covered (DC), distance at speeds between 14–17.9 km·h−1, 18–21 km·h−1, and above 21 km·h−1, peak speed, accelerations and decelerations above 2.5 m·s−2, and Player Load for both activities. All players were assigned to groups: centre-backs (CBs), fullbacks (FBs), defensive midfielders (DMFs), offensive midfielders (OMFs), wide midfielders (WMFs) and strikers (Ss). TGs showed greater total DC, DC 14–17.9 km·h−1, DC 18–21 km·h−1, DC >21 km·h−1, accelerations and decelerations >2.5 m·s−2, and Player Load (p < 0.01). CBs, FBs and Ss showed more DC, DC 14–17.9 km·h−1, DC 18–21 km·h−1, DC >21 km·h−1, accelerations and decelerations >2.5 m·s−2 and Player Load in TGs (p < 0.01). In the midfielder positions, transition game players showed greater DC 18–21 km·h−1, DC >21 km·h−1, accelerations and decelerations >2.5 m·s−2 than in matches (p < 0.05). DMFs showed higher total DC (p < 0.05) and WMFs greater DC and DC 14–17.9 km·h−1 (p < 0.01) in these drills. During transition games CBs showed greater DC 14–17.9 km·h−1 than FBs, and greater DC than Ss (p < 0.05). FBs performed more decelerations >2.5 m·s−2 than DMFs and OMFs (p < 0.05). TGs produced a homogenized load in soccer players, independent of their position, which exceeded the external load of official matches.
REFERENCES (40)
1.
Akenhead, R., Harley, J. A., & Tweddle, S. P. (2016). Examining the External Training Load of an English Premier League Football Team With Special Reference to Acceleration. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Reserach, 30(9), 2424–2432. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.00....
2.
Arslan, E., Orer, G. E., & Clemente, F. M. (2020). Running-based high-intensity interval training vs. small-sided game training programs: effects on the physical performance, psychophysiological responses and technical skills in young soccer players. Biology of Sport, 37(2), 165–173. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsp....
3.
Asian-Clemente, J., Rabano-Munoz, A., Munoz, B., Franco, J., & Suarez-Arrones, L. (2021). Can Small-side Games Provide Adequate High-speed Training in Professional Soccer? International Journal of Sports Medicine, 42(6), 523–528. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1293....
4.
Asian-Clemente, J., Rabano-Munoz, A., Requena, B., & Suarez-Arrones, L. (2022). High-speed training in a specific context in soccer: transition games. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 43(10), 881–888. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1794....
5.
Asian-Clemente, J., Rabano-Munoz, A., Requena, B., & Suarez-Arrones, L. (2023a). Effects of Bout Duration on Load, Sprint, and Jump Ability During a One-on-one Transition Task. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 44(8), 568–575. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2040....
6.
Asian-Clemente, J. A., Rabano-Muñoz, A., Suarez-Arrones, L., & Requena, B. (2023b). Different pitch configurations constrain the external and internal loads of young professional soccer players during transition games. Biology of Sport, 40(4), 1047–1055. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsp....
7.
Asian-Clemente, J., Requena, B., Owen, A., & Santalla, A. (2022). External Workload Compared Between Competitive and Non-Competitive Matches for Professional Male Soccer Players. Journal of Human Kinetics, 83, 175–184. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-....
8.
Bangsbo, J., Iaia, F. M., & Krustrup, P. (2007). Metabolic response and fatigue in soccer. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 2(2), 111–127. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.....
9.
Bortnik, L., Burger, J., & Rhodes, D. (2022). The mean and peak physical demands during transitional play and high pressure activities in elite football. Biology of Sport, 39(4), 1055–1064. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsp....
10.
Buchheit, M., Al Haddad, H., Simpson, B. M., Palazzi, D., Bourdon, P. C., Di Salvo, V., & Mendez-Villanueva, A. (2014). Monitoring accelerations with GPS in football: time to slow down? International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 9(3), 442–445. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.....
11.
Buchheit, M., & Laursen, P. B. (2013). High-intensity interval training, solutions to the programming puzzle. Part II: anaerobic energy, neuromuscular load and practical applications. Sports Medicine, 43(10), 927–954. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279....
12.
Bujalance-Moreno, P., Latorre-Roman, P. A., & Garcia-Pinillos, F. (2019). A systematic review on small-sided games in football players: Acute and chronic adaptations. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(8), 921–949. https://doi.org/10.1080/026404....
13.
Casamichana, D., Castellano, J., & Castagna, C. (2012). Comparing the physical demands of friendly matches and small-sided games in semiprofessional soccer players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 26(3), 837–843. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b....
14.
Clemente, F. M., Sarmento, H., Rabbani, A., Van Der Linden, C., Kargarfard, M., & Costa, I. T. (2019). Variations of external load variables between medium- and large-sided soccer games in professional players. Research in Sports Medicine, 27(1), 50–59. https://doi.org/10.1080/154386....
15.
Dalen, T., Ingebrigtsen, J., Ettema, G., Hjelde, G. H., & Wisloff, U. (2016). Player Load, Acceleration, and Deceleration During Forty-Five Competitive Matches of Elite Soccer. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 30(2), 351–359. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.00....
16.
Dalen, T., Sandmael, S., Stevens, T. G. A., Hjelde, G. H., Kjosnes, T. N., & Wisloff, U. (2019). Differences in Acceleration and High-Intensity Activities Between Small-Sided Games and Peak Periods of Official Matches in Elite Soccer Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(7), 2018–2024. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.00....
17.
Delgado-Bordonau, J. L., & Mendez-Villanueva, A. (2012). Tactical periodization: Mourinho's best-kept secret? Soccer Journal, 57(3), 29–34.
18.
Dellal, A., Owen, A., Wong, D. P., Krustrup, P., van Exsel, M., & Mallo, J. (2012). Technical and physical demands of small vs. large sided games in relation to playing position in elite soccer. Human Movement Science, 31(4), 957–969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humo....
19.
Di Salvo, V., Baron, R., Tschan, H., Calderon Montero, F. J., Bachl, N., & Pigozzi, F. (2007). Performance characteristics according to playing position in elite soccer. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 28(3), 222–227. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006....
20.
Di Salvo, V., Gregson, W., Atkinson, G., Tordoff, P., & Drust, B. (2009). Analysis of high intensity activity in Premier League soccer. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 30(3), 205–212. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0028....
21.
Faude, O., Koch, T., & Meyer, T. (2012). Straight sprinting is the most frequent action in goal situations in professional football. Journal of Sports Sciences, 30(7), 625–631. https://doi.org/10.1080/026404....
22.
Freeman, B. W., Young, W. B., Talpey, S. W., Smyth, A. M., Pane, C. L., & Carlon, T. A. (2019). The effects of sprint training and the Nordic hamstring exercise on eccentric hamstring strength and sprint performance in adolescent athletes. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 59(7), 1119–1125. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022....
23.
Gabbett, T. J., & Mulvey, M. J. (2008). Time-motion analysis of small-sided training games and competition in elite women soccer players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 22(2), 543–552. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b....
24.
Gimenez, J. V., Del-Coso, J., Leicht, A. S., & Gomez, M. A. (2018). Comparison of the movement patterns between small- and large-sided game training and competition in professional soccer players. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 58(10), 1383–1389. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022....
25.
Gomez-Carmona, C. D., Pino-Ortega, J., Sanchez-Urena, B., Ibanez, S. J., & Rojas-Valverde, D. (2019). Accelerometry-Based External Load Indicators in Sport: Too Many Options, Same Practical Outcome? International Jounal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(24), 5101. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph....
26.
Hader, K., Rumpf, M. C., Hertzog, M., Kilduff, L. P., Girard, O., & Silva, J. R. (2019). Monitoring the Athlete Match Response: Can External Load Variables Predict Post-match Acute and Residual Fatigue in Soccer? A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis. Sports Medicine Open, 5(1), 48. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40798....
27.
Hopkins, W. G., Marshall, S. W., Batterham, A. M., & Hanin, J. (2009). Progressive statistics for studies in sports medicine and exercise science. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41(1), 3–13. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0b....
28.
Iacono, A. D., Beato, M., & Unnithan, V. (2019). Comparative Effects of Game Profile-Based Training and Small-Sided Games on Physical Performance of Elite Young Soccer Players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 35(10), 2810–2817. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.00....
29.
Katis, A., & Kellis, E. (2009). Effects of small-sided games on physical conditioning and performance in young soccer players. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 8(3), 374–380. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pu....
30.
Kyprianou, E., Di Salvo, V., Lolli, L., Al Haddad, H., Villanueva, A. M., Gregson, W., & Weston, M. (2022). To Measure Peak Velocity in Soccer, Let the Players Sprint. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 36(1), 273–276. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.00....
31.
Lacome, M., Simpson, B. M., Cholley, Y., Lambert, P., & Buchheit, M. (2018). Small-Sided Games in Elite Soccer: Does One Size Fit All? International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 13(5), 568–576. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.....
32.
Malone, S., Owen, A., Mendes, B., Hughes, B., Collins, K., & Gabbett, T. J. (2018). High-speed running and sprinting as an injury risk factor in soccer: Can well-developed physical qualities reduce the risk? Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21(3), 257–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsam....
33.
Martin-Garcia, A., Castellano, J., Diaz, A. G., Cos, F., & Casamichana, D. (2019). Positional demands for various-sided games with goalkeepers according to the most demanding passages of match play in football. Biology of Sport, 36(2), 171–180. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsp....
34.
Martin-Garcia, A., Castellano, J., Mendez Villanueva, A., Gomez-Diaz, A., Cos, F., & Casamichana, D. (2020). Physical Demands of Ball Possession Games in Relation to the Most Demanding Passages of a Competitive Match. Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 19(1), 1–9.
35.
Mohr, M., Krustrup, P., & Bangsbo, J. (2003). Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue. Journal of Sports Sciences, 21(7), 519–528. https://doi.org/10.1080/026404....
36.
Mohr, M., Krustrup, P., & Bangsbo, J. (2005). Fatigue in soccer: a brief review. Journal of Sports Sciences, 23(6), 593–599. https://doi.org/10.1080/026404....
37.
Owen, A. L., Wong, D. P., Paul, D., & Dellal, A. (2014). Physical and technical comparisons between various-sided games within professional soccer. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 35(4), 286–292. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033....
38.
Stevens, T. G. A., de Ruiter, C. J., Twisk, J. W. R., Savelsbergh, G. J. P., & Beek, P. J. (2017). Quantification of in-season training load relative to match load in professional Dutch Eredivisie football players. Science and Medicine in Football, 1(2), 117–125. https://doi.org/10.1080/247339....
39.
Suarez-Arrones, L., Nunez, J., Saez de Villareal, E., Galvez, J., Suarez-Sanchez, G., & Munguia-Izquierdo, D. (2016). Repeated-High-Intensity-Running Activity and Internal Training Load of Elite Rugby Sevens Players During International Matches: A Comparison Between Halves. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 11(4), 495–499. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.....
40.
Svensson, M., & Drust, B. (2005). Testing soccer players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 23(6), 601–618. https://doi.org/10.1080/026404....
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
| eISSN: | 1899-7562 |
| ISSN: | 1640-5544 |
We process personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms and saving cookies in end devices. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services, improve the user experience and to analyze the traffic in accordance with the Privacy policy. Data are also collected and processed by Google Analytics tool (more).
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
You can change cookies settings in your browser. Restricted use of cookies in the browser configuration may affect some functionalities of the website.
