Is Physical Performance a Differentiating Element between More or Less Successful Football Teams?

Asian Clemente Asian Clemente,Hernández Hernández,Carling Carling,Nayler Nayler,Requena Requena,Jukic Jukic

doi:10.3390/sports7100216

Asian Clemente Asian Clemente, Hernández Hernández + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/sports7100216

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Abstract

This study investigated the time-motion characteristics of football teams in the Spanish first division, in relation to their final competitive level as defined by league position (Champions League, Europa League, Upper mid-table, lower mid-table and relegation). Match observations (n = 9641) were collected using a multiple-camera computerized tracking system during the 2013–2014 competitive season. The following match parameters were analyzed: total distance, relative distance (m·min−1), distance < 14 km·h−1, >14 km·h−1, between 14–21 km·h−1, >21 km·h−1, and >24 km·h−1. Total distance and distance at different velocities (>14, 21, and 24 km·h−1) in and out of ball possession were also analyzed. A repeated analysis of variance and a comparison of effect sizes were carried out to compare the performance of the teams. The analysis of the data showed differences in physical performance characteristics between competitive levels. The volume of distance covered in the variables analyzed did not relate to success in soccer. Both successful and unsuccessful teams presented the same running requirements at higher velocities. These findings provide valuable information about the physical demands of the running requirements according to their final position in the league table.

Highlights

Over the past two decades, there has been a substantial increase in the knowledge of the running demands of professional soccer match play, through the use of time-motion analysis [1,2,3,4,5,6]
For distances >14 km·h−1 and between 14–21 km·h−1, the teams finishing between 8th and 12th in the league table obtained the greatest values, whilst teams between 1st and 4th positions accumulated the lowest amount of distance below 14 km·h−1 compared to all other teams
There were no differences between any of the teams’ values without the ball except for the distance covered without possession >14 km·h−1, where Upper Middle Table (UMT) teams showed a statistically greater amount of distance covered than the CL and Lower Middle Table (LMT) teams

Summary

Introduction

Over the past two decades, there has been a substantial increase in the knowledge of the running demands of professional soccer match play, through the use of time-motion analysis [1,2,3,4,5,6]. This can be associated with increased interest in this topic from coaching staff and the rapid development of computerized time-motion analysis systems.

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