Analyzing Positional and Temporal Variations in Worst-Case Scenario Demands in Professional Spanish Soccer
Objectives: This study aimed to compare the worst-case scenario (WCS; i.e., 1-min) demands, in terms of distance covered and the number of times exceeding 85% of WCS demands, across soccer playing positions and match periods. Methods: A total of 67,518 records from 380 soccer matches during the 2023...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/2/172 |
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| Summary: | Objectives: This study aimed to compare the worst-case scenario (WCS; i.e., 1-min) demands, in terms of distance covered and the number of times exceeding 85% of WCS demands, across soccer playing positions and match periods. Methods: A total of 67,518 records from 380 soccer matches during the 2023/24 season of the First Spanish Division were collected. Match events were tracked using the optical tracking system ChyronHego<sup>®</sup> (TRACAB Gen5, NY, USA) and synchronized with Mediacoach software (LaLiga, Madrid, Spain). Total distance (TD), very high-speed running (VHSR), and sprint distance were considered, and all analyses were performed using linear mixed models (LMM). Results: Center-backs (CBs) exhibited significant differences (<i>p</i> < 0.001) in TD compared to all other positions. Regarding actions exceeding 85% of the 1-min WCS for TD, full-backs (FBs) showed significant differences compared to CBs (<i>p</i> < 0.001), midfielders (MDs; <i>p</i> < 0.001), and attacking midfielders (AMs; <i>p</i> < 0.001). In terms of VHSR, significant differences were observed between MDs and wingers (Ws; <i>p</i> < 0.05). In relation to match periods, during 15–30, CBs demonstrated significant differences compared to all other positions for actions exceeding 85% of the 1-min WCS in TD. Conclusions: These findings suggest that training protocols could be adjusted to account for specific positional demands, particularly focusing on high-speed running and sprint actions. |
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| ISSN: | 2411-5142 |