Variation in Top Level Soccer Match Performance

Abstract

This study examined the influence of the opposing team, seasonal variations and the influence of first half activity on match performance in top-level soccer players. Physical performance measures were collected using the ProZone® match analysis system from 20 professional soccer players from the same team and their opponents (n = 188) during a season. Match activities (standing, walking, jogging, running, high-speed running and sprinting), distances (total distance [TD], high-intensity running [HIR] and very high-intensity running [VHIR]) and other measures including involvement with the ball and peak running speed were collected. The influence of opponent team, the level of opposition, first half physical activities on second half activities, and playing position were analysed. The main finding was that TD (r = 0.62, p < 0.05), HIR (r = 0.51, p < 0.05), and VHIR (r = 0.65, p < 0.05) of the reference team was influenced by the activity profile of the opponent teams. The TD and HIR was higher against Best opponent teams compared to Worst opponent teams (p < 0.05), and the TD, HIR and VHIR travelled in the first half significantly influenced the distances covered in the second half. TD, HIR and VHIR were greater at the end of the season. These results may be used to interpret meaningful changes in match performance in top level soccer.

Key words

elite football - performance analysis - reliability

References

• 1 Bangsbo J. The physiology of soccer with special reference to intense intermittent exercise.  Acta Physiol Scand. 1994;  151 1-156
• 2 Bangsbo J, Nørregaard L, Thosøe F. Activity profile of competition soccer.  Can J Sport Sci. 1991;  16 110-116
• 3 Cohen J. Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioural Sciences. Hillsdale, NJ; Lawrence Erlbaum Associates 1988
• 4 Di Salvo V, Baron R, Tschan H, Calderon Montero F J, Bachl N, Pigozzi F. Performance characteristics according to playing position in elite soccer.  Int J Sports Med. 2006;  DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-924294
• 5 Di Salvo V, Collins A, McNeill B, Cardinale M. Validation of ProZone®: A new video-based performance analysis system.  Int J Perf Analysis Sport. 2006;  6 108-119
• 6 Ekblom B. Applied physiology of soccer.  Sports Med. 1986;  3 50-60
• 7 Helgerud J, Christian Engen L, Wisløff U, Hoff J. Aerobic endurance training improves soccer performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 1925-1931
• 8 Hopkins W G. Measures of reliability in sports medicine and science.  Sports Med. 2000;  30 1-15
• 9 Impellizzeri F M, Marcora S M, Castagna C, Reilly T, Sassi A, Iaia F M, Rampinini E. Physiological and performance effects of generic versus specific aerobic training in soccer players.  Int J Sports Med. 2006;  27 483-492
• 10 Krustrup P, Mohr M, Amstrup T, Rysgaard T, Johansen J, Steensberg A, Pedersen P K, Bangsbo J. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test: physiological response, reliability, and validity.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;  35 697-705
• 11 Krustrup P, Mohr M, Ellingsgaard H, Bangsbo J. Physical demands during an elite female soccer game: importance of training status.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2005;  37 1242-1248
• 12 Mayhew S R, Wenger H A. Time-motion analysis of professional soccer.  J Hum Movement Stud. 1985;  11 49-52
• 13 Mohr M, Krustrup P, Bangsbo J. Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue.  J Sports Sci. 2003;  21 519-528
• 14 Mohr M, Krustrup P, Bangsbo J. Fatigue in soccer: a brief review.  J Sports Sci. 2005;  23 593-599
• 15 Rampinini E, Bishop D, Marcora S M, Ferrari Bravo D, Sassi R, Impellizzeri F M. Validity of simple field tests as indicators of match-related physical performance in top-level professional soccer players.  Int J Sports Med. 2007;  28 228-235
• 16 Reilly T. Energetics of high-intensity exercise (soccer) with particular reference to fatigue.  J Sports Sci. 1997;  15 257-263
• 17 Reilly T. Motion analysis and physiological demands. Reilly T, Williams AM Science and Soccer. London; Routledge 2003: 59-72
• 18 Reilly T, Thomas V. A motion analysis of workrate in different positional roles in professional football match-play.  J Hum Movement Stud. 1976;  2 87-97
• 19 Reilly T, Williams A M. Introduction to science and soccer. Reilly T, Williams AM Science and Soccer. London; Routledge 2003: 1-6
• 20 Rienzi E, Drust B, Reilly T, Carter J EL, Martin A. Investigation of anthropometric and work-rate profiles of elite South American international soccer players.  J Sports Med Phys Fit. 2000;  40 162-169
• 21 Sassi R, Reilly T, Impellizzeri F. A comparison of small-sided games and interval training in elite professional soccer players. Reilly T, Cabri J, Araujo D Science and Football V. The Proceedings of the Fifth World Congress on Science and Football. Abingdon, Oxon; Routledge 2005: 341-343
• 22 Van Gool D, Van Gerven D, Boumans J. The physiological load imposed on soccer players during real match-play. Reilly T, Lees A, Davids K, Murphy W Science and Football. London; E & FN Spon 1988: 51-59
• 23 Withers R T, Maricic Z, Wasilewski S, Kelly L. Match analyses of Australian professional soccer players.  J Hum Movement Stud. 1982;  8 159-176