Biology of Sport
eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X
Biology of Sport
Current Issue Manuscripts accepted About the journal Editorial board Abstracting and indexing Archive Ethical standards and procedures Contact Instructions for authors Journal's Reviewers Special Information
Editorial System
Submit your Manuscript
SCImago Journal & Country Rank
Share:
Share:
abstract:
Original paper

Comparison of running and accelerometry variables based on match outcome, match location and quality of opponent in elite professional soccer players. A five-season study

Ryland Morgans
1
,
John Radnor
1
,
Jose Fonseca
2
,
Dave Rhodes
3
,
Ben Ryan
4
,
Matthew King
4
,
Piotr Zmijewski
5
,
Rafael Oliveira
6, 7, 8

  1. School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
  2. Faculty of Human Kinetics, Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal
  3. Football Performance Hub, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
  4. Brentford FC Football Research Centre, Brentford FC, London, UK
  5. Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-809 Warsaw, Poland
  6. Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, 5001–801 Vila Real, Portugal
  7. Sports Science School of Rio Maior – Instituto Politecnico de Santarem, 2040–413 Rio Maior, Santarém District, Santarém, Portugal
  8. Life Quality Research Centre, 2040–413 Rio Maior, Portugal
Biol Sport. 2025;42(1):67–79
Online publish date: 2024/05/24
View full text Get citation
 
PlumX metrics:
The aim of this study was to compare external match load, according to match outcome, match location, and opponent quality across five competitive seasons. Forty-six professional outfield soccer players from the same English Premier League club across the complete 2018/19 to 2022/23 seasons were involved in the study. For each match, the outcome (win, draw, loss), match location (home, away) and quality of opponent (top or bottom six teams, remaining mid-table teams) were recorded. Players covered significantly more m/min and performed more decelerations when playing against the top six compared to mid-table or bottom six teams (p < 0.001; d = 0.213–0.322). There were no differences in external match load depending on match outcome. There were significant opponent × outcome × match location interactions for each position across most of the external match load measures, but these differed in magnitude for specific metrics and positions (p = 0.001–0.048; d = 0.300 1.741). The present study provided novel information on external match load and the influence of match outcome, match location and opponent quality. This may support and contribute to understanding how to improve training methods to physically prepare players to cope with varying contexts.
keywords:

External load, Physical match performance, Seasonal analysis, Match result, Match location, Opposition standard

 
Quick links
© 2024 Termedia Sp. z o.o.
Developed by Bentus.