Biology of Sport
eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X
Biology of Sport
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abstract:
Original paper

Contextualized high-speed running and sprinting during English Premier League match-play with reference to possession, positional demands and opponent ranking

Ryland Morgans
1, 2
,
Mauro Mandorino
3, 4
,
Marco Beato
5
,
Ben Ryan
2
,
Piotr Zmijewski
6
,
Alexandre Moreira
7
,
Halil Ibrahim Ceylan
8
,
Rafael Oliveira
9, 10

  1. School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
  2. Brentford FC Football Research Centre, Brentford FC, London, UK
  3. Performance and Analytics Department, Parma Calcio 1913, 43121 Parma, Italy
  4. Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, 00135 Rome, Italy
  5. School of Allied Health Sciences, University of Suffolk, Ipswich, UK
  6. Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-809 Warsaw, Poland
  7. Department of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
  8. Faculty of Kazim Karabekir Education, Physical Education of Sports Teaching Department, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
  9. Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, (CIDESD), Santarém Polytechnic University, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
  10. Santarém Polytechnic University, School of Sport, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
Biol Sport. 2025;42(3):119–127
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2025.147011
Online publish date: 2025/01/24
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This study aimed to compare high-speed running (HSR) and sprint distances (SD) when in- (IP) and out-of-possession (OP) during official English Premier League (EPL) match-play over three consecutive seasonsconsidering playing position, match location and opponent ranking. Match data from 31 male professional soccer players was obtained via an optical tracking system. Results showed that during the IP phase, playing position emerged as the only significant predictor for both HSRIP and SDIP. Wingers showed the highest HSRIP compared to centre-backs who exhibited the lowest values (p < 0.001, ES = 4.19). Similar data were found for SDIP (p < 0.001, ES = 3.30). HSROP was significantly affected by both ranking difference (β = -0.039, p = 0.001) and match location (β = 0.369, p = 0.001). HSROP decreases as the ranking difference increases and tends to be higher during away matches (p = 0.001, ES = 0.24). SDOP was affected by both ranking difference (β = -0.023, p = 0.001) and match location (β = 0.166, p = 0.001) and decreased as the ranking difference increased. SDOP was also higher during away matches (p = 0.001, ES = 0.23). Additionally, a significant interaction was found between playing position and ranking difference (β = 0.005, p = 0.010). Lower ranking differences correspond to higher SDOP values. In conclusion, these findings highlight that by applying these IP and OP insights into practical coaching strategies, teams can potentially enhance individual physical performance and adaptability across different match situations and seasons.
keywords:

Contextual variables, Optical tracking, Match performance, Football

  
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