Biology of Sport
eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X
Biology of Sport
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4/2024
vol. 41
 
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abstract:
Original paper

The relationships between distances covered above generic and relative speed thresholds by male soccer players in English Premier League matches across two competitive seasons. The effects of positional demands and possession

Ronan Kavanagh
1
,
Rocco Di Michele
2
,
Rafael Oliveira
3, 4, 5
,
Kevin McDaid
6
,
David Rhodes
7
,
Ryland Morgans
8

  1. Nottingham Forest FC, Nottingham, UK
  2. Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Italy
  3. Sports Science School of Rio Maior-Polytechnic Institute of Santarém, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
  4. Research Centre in Sport Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
  5. Life Quality Research Centre, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
  6. Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dundalk, Co Louth, Ireland
  7. Human Performance Department, Burnley Football Club, Burnley
  8. School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff
Biol Sport. 2024;41(4):77–86
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2024.135416
Online publish date: 2024/03/18
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The aims of this study were to: a) examine the relationships between high-intensity distances covered above generic and relative speed thresholds in English Premier League (EPL) matches across two consecutive seasons and b) analyze the effects of playing position and team possession. Sixteen elite male soccer players (seven defenders, six midfielders and three forwards) participated in this study (age 27.8 ± 3.5 years, height 183.7 ± 5.4 cm, body mass 83.9 ± 7.1 kg). An Optical Tracking System was used to collect the following variables: total distance covered; high-speed running distance (HSRD) (> 5.5 m/s); high-intensity running distance (HIRD) (5.5–7 m/s); sprint distance (> 7 m/s); total distance covered above Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS); distance covered > 85% peak speed (PS); and distance > 30% Anaerobic Speed Reserve (ASR). All measures were analyzed as whole match totals and as distances covered in the periods of the team in possession (TIP), opponent team in possession (OTIP), and ball out of play (BOP). Analysis by position based on defenders, midfielders and forwards was also performed. Distance > 30% ASR was almost perfectly correlated with HSRD (r = 0.98), while distances > MAS were highly correlated with both HIRD (r = 0.91) and HSRD (r = 0.91), and distance > 85% PS were highly correlated with SD (r = 0.70). Although the generic and relative speed thresholds show almost perfect correlation, the differences between HSRD, HIRD and distance > MAS indicate that players may be exposed to more HIRD when using relative thresholds.
keywords:

Match performance, Individualized speed zones, Performance analysis, Soccer, External load, External intensity

  
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