SECTION III - SPORTS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY / RESEARCH PAPER
The Peak Speed Dynamics of Highly Trained Soccer Players during Matches and Training Sessions
1
Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development—CIDESD, University of Maia, Maia, Portugal.
2
Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Maia, Maia, Portugal.
3
Research Center of the Polytechnic Institute of Maia (N2i), Maia Polytechnic Institute (IPMAIA), Maia, Portugal.
4
FSI Lab, Football Science Institute, Granada, Spain
5
FSI Lab, Football Science Institute, Granada, Spain.
6
Faculty of Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, Universidad de León, León, Spain.
7
Portugal Football School, Portuguese Football Federation, Oeiras, Portugal.
Submission date: 2024-10-31
Final revision date: 2025-03-31
Acceptance date: 2026-03-09
Online publication date: 2026-11-12
Corresponding author
Hugo Silva
Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development—CIDESD, University of Maia, Portugal
Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development—CIDESD, University of Maia, Portugal
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This study compared the peak speed dynamics of soccer players during different training sessions and competition, focusing on the speed distribution over a 20-s window. Twenty-five highly trained players were monitored with 10-Hz global navigation satellite systems across eight competitive weeks. Days were classified in relation to the match-day (MD): MD−4, MD−3, MD−2, MD−1 and MD. Raw data were used to calculate peak speed (highest speed reached), initial speed (10 s before the peak), final speed (20 s after the peak), and the nearest accelerations and decelerations. Independent mean differences were used to compare the differences between days. Higher peak speeds, but lower initial and final speeds, were achieved during the MD−2 than any other day (p < 0.001). Higher decelerations were registered during the MD−4 (p < 0.001). Except for the peak speed (p < 0.001), no differences were found between the MD−3 and the MD. The peak speed dynamics varied across days. While MD−2 (speed training) had the highest speed, players reached these speeds mostly from stationary positions, unlike in competition. The MD−3 and the MD showed similar peak speed dynamics, with high-speed displacements being important for preparing players for match demands. This study emphasizes the need to incorporate a leading start during sprints in the MD−2 training session to replicate peak match speed dynamics, potentially reducing the risk of hamstring injuries.
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