The aim of this study was to examine the possession (very low, low, high, and very high), team formation (3-5-2 and 4-3-3) and position (centre-backs, full-backs, centre midfielders, attacking midfielders, and centre forwards) on match load across two consecutive seasons in elite soccer....

The present study aimed to assess the physical match performance among senior and youth soccer players from an elite Scottish Premiership club during the 2021/2022 season. Twenty-two first team (25.9 ± 4.5 years, 78.3 ± 8.2 kg, 1.82 ± 0.07 cm) and 16 youth players (16.8 ± 0.9 years, 70.1 ± 6.8 kg, 177 ± 5.8 cm) were examined. A selection of physical match performance variables were measured using a global positioning system. Linear mixed-effect regressions revealed for all examined variables no significant differences between first team and U-18 players and no significant differences between playing level by position interaction. Across both teams, Centre Backs compared to Wing Backs, showed a 295 m (p < 0.01) lower high-intensity distance, and performed on average 36 fewer very-high intensity decelerations (p = 0.03). Comparing to Wide Midfielders, Centre Backs showed lower total (1297 m, p = 0.01), high-intensity (350 m, p = 0.01), and sprint (167 m, p < 0.01) distances. Sprint distance was also lower in Centre Backs vs. Strikers (118 m, p = 0.03), and in Central Midfielders vs. both Strikers (104 m, p = 0.03) and Wide Midfielders (154 m, p = 0.01). The present findings highlight the physical match performance of elite Scottish players and provide useful information within the context of understanding how methods of physical development of youth soccer are implemented in different countries.

This study aimed to compare the daily training load (TL) in first-team and U-18 soccer players from an English Premiership club. 36 first-team (age 23.2±5.9 years, weight 75.2±8.1 kg, height 1.83±0.06 m), and 22 U-18 players (age 17.5±1.1 years, weight 71.1±8.2 kg, height 1.78±0.08 m)...

This study aimed to examine the impact of playing position (PP), match location (ML), and opposition standard (OS) on team and individual acceleration (ACC) and deceleration (DEC) efforts. Fifty professional football players were monitored across 24 English Premier DevelopmentLeague matches...

The aims of this study were to: (i) analyse the within-microcycle variations in professional soccer players; (ii) analyse the relationships between wellness and training and match load demands; (iii) analyse the relationships between match-day (MD) demands and wellness during the following day (MD+1); and (iv) analyse the relationships between MD and wellness during the day before match-play (MD-1). Thirteen professional soccer players (age: 24.85±3.13 years) were monitored daily over 16-weeks for wellness and training and match-play intensity. The daily wellness measures included fatigue, quality of sleep, muscle soreness, mood and stress using a 1–5 scale. Internal intensity was subjectively measured daily using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and the multiplication of RPE by session duration (s-RPE). While external intensity was quantified utilising high-speed running, sprinting, and acceleration and deceleration metrics. Data was analysed from each training session before (i.e., MD-5) or after the match (i.e., MD+1). Repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman ANOVA was used to analyse the aims (i) where Spearman correlation was applied to analyse the relationships between the aims (ii) and (iii) between sleep quality and training intensity. The main results for aim (i) showed that MD+1 presented the lowest values for wellness variables (p < 0.05). While MD-1 presented the lowest internal and external load values (for all variables), with MD presenting the highest values (p < 0.05). Regarding aim (ii), the main result showed significant large negative correlations between fatigue and s-RPE (r = -0.593; p = 0.033). Considering aim (iii), significant small to very large negative correlations were found for sleep quality, fatigue and muscle soreness with all internal and external variables (p < 0.05). Lastly, the main results for aim (iv) showed large negative correlations for fatigue and session duration; fatigue and s-RPE; muscle soreness and session duration; muscle soreness and s-RPE; and muscle soreness and decelerations (p < 0.05, for all). The main conclusions were that MD had an influence on wellness and internal and external training intensity, notably MD-1 and MD+1 were most affected. In this regard, a tendency of higher internal and external intensity on MD was associated with lower wellness measures of sleep quality, muscle soreness and fatigue on MD+1.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate differences in match physical and technical/tactical performance of teams across different competitive levels in international soccer: FIFA Men’s World Cup Qatar 2022 (MWC), FIFA U20 World Cup Argentina 2023 (U20WC), and FIFA U17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 (U17WC). Methods: From a total of 168 games, 138 games were analyzed (N = 276 game observations) using an optical tracking system. Results: On average, the U17WC teams exhibited reduced total running (3% less), high-intensity running (14%–16% less), and sprinting (18%–26% less) distance than the MWC and U20WC teams (P ≤ .0023; effect size [ES]: 0.8–1.5). The MWC teams displayed 4% to 5% higher accuracy in passing and executing line breaks (P ≤ .0188; ES: 0.6–0.7), along with increased offers to receive the ball (53%–118% more) and movements to receive the ball (44%–101% more), and received the ball (61%–137%) more often than the U20WC and U17WC teams (P < .001; ES: 1.1–2.1). Moreover, notable decreases in defensive pressure (−18% to −32%) and forced turnovers (−26% to −32%) were observed in the U17WC than other competitions (P ≤ .0001; ES: 0.8–2.2). Greater variability was observed among the U17WC teams in several metrics, including high-intensity/sprinting distances, attempts at goal, and receptions in the final third. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that as the competitive level increases, so do the physical demands, advanced technical skills, and tactical fluidity/adaptability. However, caution should be exercised when interpreting match performance of younger age groups, as higher variability was evident in both physical and technical/tactical performance in matches.