Match-to-match variability in high-speed running activity in a professional soccer team |
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| Authors: | Christopher Carling Paul Bradley Alan McCall Gregory Dupont |
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| Institution: | 1. Institute of Coaching and Performance, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK;2. Department of Research and Development, LOSC Lille Métropole Football Club, Lille, Franceccarling@uclan.ac.uk;4. Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK;5. Faculty of Health, Life &6. Social Sciences, Research Department for Sports and Exercise Science, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, UK;7. Department of Research and Development, LOSC Lille Métropole Football Club, Lille, France;8. University of Lille Nord de France, UDSL, Ronchin, France |
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| Abstract: | ABSTRACTThis study investigated variability in competitive high-speed running performance in an elite soccer team. A semi-automated tracking system quantified running performance in 12 players over a season (median 17 matches per player, 207 observations). Variability coefficient of variation (CV)] was compared for total sprint distance (TSD, >25.2 km/h), high-speed running (HSR, 19.8–25.2 km/h), total high-speed running (THSR, ≥19.8 km/h); THSR when the team was in and out of ball possession, in individual ball possession, in the peak 5 min activity period; and distance run according to individual maximal aerobic speed (MAS). Variability for % declines in THSR and distance covered at ≥80% MAS across halves, at the end of play (final 15 min vs. mean for all 15 min periods) and transiently (5 min period following peak 5 min activity period), was analysed. Collectively, variability was higher for TSD versus HSR and THSR and lowest for distance run at ≥80% MAS (CVs: 37.1%, 18.1%, 19.8% and 11.8%). THSR CVs when the team was in/out of ball possession, in individual ball possession and during the peak 5 min period were 31.5%, 26.1%, 60.1% and 23.9%. Variability in THSR declines across halves, at the end of play and transiently, ranged from 37.1% to 142.6%, while lower CVs were observed in these metrics for running at ≥80% MAS (20.9–53.3%).These results cast doubt on the appropriateness of general measures of high-speed activity for determining variability in an elite soccer team, although individualisation of HSR thresholds according to fitness characteristics might provide more stable indicators of running performance and fatigue occurrence. |
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| Keywords: | Football time motion analysis locomotor activity performance variation |
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