Playing position specifics of associations between running performance during the training and match in male soccer players

Toni Modric,Sime Versic,Damir Sekulic

doi:10.5507/ag.2020.006

Abstract

Background: The relationship between the training load and game load considering soccer playing positions has not been sufficiently examined. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the position-specific associations between running performance (RP) during the training and match in professional-level male soccer. Methods: The RPs of 15 players (age 23.57 ± 2.84 years, body height 181.9 ± 5.17 cm, body mass 78.36 ± 4.18 kg) were measured by the Global Positioning System over one half-season of the highest-level Croatian soccer competition and assessed according to their playing positions: central defenders (n = 22), fullbacks (n = 23), wide midfielders (n = 29), wingers (n = 6), and forwards (n = 12). Variables included the total distance covered; the distance covered by low intensity running, running, high-speed running, sprinting, and high intensity running; and the number of accelerations, high-intensity accelerations (HIA), decelerations, and high-intensity decelerations (HID). Results: Analysis of variance revealed significant differences in high-speed running, HID, and HIA (p = .01, all highest in forwards), and sprinting (p = .01, highest in the wide midfielders). The HIA and HID at training were significantly (p = .04 and .01, respectively) correlated (r = .42 and .52) with the corresponding match RP in fullbacks. The high-intensity running (high-speed running + sprinting), running, HIA and HID performance values were significantly correlated (r = .64, .52, .59, and .52, respectively; all p = .01) with the corresponding running performances from matches in central midfielders. Conclusions: Structure-specific training is highly recommended for some playing positions. The information obtained can be used to improve soccer training programs.

Highlights

Soccer is a highly complex team sport; it involves two teams, changing dynamics and multistructural movements (Modric, Versic, Sekulic, & Liposek, 2019)
Differences among playing positions in running performance The present study demonstrated that the FWs tended to cover the longest total distance (20,330 m on average per week), and the FBs covered the shortest total distance (17,862 m on average), but there was no significant difference across the playing positions in terms of the weekly total distance covered
Correlations between training load and game performance Our results indicated that the distance covered while running and number of high-intensity accelerations in matches are correlated with the weekly values of the same variables for CDs

Summary

Introduction

Soccer is a highly complex team sport; it involves two teams, changing dynamics and multistructural movements (Modric, Versic, Sekulic, & Liposek, 2019). Professional soccer training programs are designed to enable players to achieve an appropriate conditioning status, prevent injuries and compete at the highest possible level during the season (Jaspers, Brink, Probst, Frencken, & Helsen, 2017). For such purposes, training programs need to be able to be modified so that they are optimally individualized and that, players’ match performance is Training loads can comprise external and internal loads (Impellizzeri, Rampinini, Coutts, Sassi, & Marcora, 2004). The information obtained can be used to improve soccer training programs

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