Objectives: This study uniquely examines the evolution of match running performance in official matches over four consecutive seasons (2019/2020–2022/23) within Spain’s top two professional soccer leagues (LaLiga). By analyzing differences between competitive league standards (First Division vs. Second Division), this research provides critical insights into how competition levels influence physical performance trends over time. Methods: A total of 6784 match observations were recorded from 95 teams competing in the First and Second Divisions (LaLiga). Performance metrics included total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR, >21 km·h⁻¹), very high-speed running (VHSR, 21.1–24 km·h⁻¹), sprint distance (Sprint, >24 km·h⁻¹), the number of HSR efforts (Nº. Sprints > 21 km·h⁻¹), and sprint efforts (Nº. Sprints > 24 km·h⁻¹), all analyzed using a computerized tracking system (TRACAB, ChyronHego, New York, NY, USA). Results: The primary findings indicated significantly higher match running performance in First Division matches compared to Second Division matches across all variables (p < 0.001). Furthermore, match running performance significantly increased over the four seasons in both leagues, with notably higher values during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons for all physical performance metrics (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study contributes to understanding the temporal evolution of soccer match performance across competition levels. The findings emphasize the importance of periodic performance monitoring and adapting training loads increasing high-intensity distances to align with escalating physical demands in modern soccer, offering valuable guidance for coaches and performance analysts.

This study aimed to analyse the influence of the match status on the conditional characteristics of tactical sprint actions among Spanish professional soccer players, considering playing positions. Thirty-two Spanish male professional soccer players from a LaLiga Spanish Second Division (LaLiga...

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the worst-case scenario (WCS; i.e., 1-min) demands, in terms of distance covered and the number of times exceeding 85% of WCS demands, across soccer playing positions and match periods. Methods: A total of 67,518 records from 380 soccer matches during the 2023/24 season of the First Spanish Division were collected. Match events were tracked using the optical tracking system ChyronHego^® (TRACAB Gen5, NY, USA) and synchronized with Mediacoach software (LaLiga, Madrid, Spain). Total distance (TD), very high-speed running (VHSR), and sprint distance were considered, and all analyses were performed using linear mixed models (LMM). Results: Center-backs (CBs) exhibited significant differences (p < 0.001) in TD compared to all other positions. Regarding actions exceeding 85% of the 1-min WCS for TD, full-backs (FBs) showed significant differences compared to CBs (p < 0.001), midfielders (MDs; p < 0.001), and attacking midfielders (AMs; p < 0.001). In terms of VHSR, significant differences were observed between MDs and wingers (Ws; p < 0.05). In relation to match periods, during 15–30, CBs demonstrated significant differences compared to all other positions for actions exceeding 85% of the 1-min WCS in TD. Conclusions: These findings suggest that training protocols could be adjusted to account for specific positional demands, particularly focusing on high-speed running and sprint actions.

This study aimed to analyze the effects of contextual variables (i.e., match location and match outcome) and season periods on match load (i.e., internal and external load) in professional Brazilian soccer players. Thirty-six professional players from the same soccer team participated in this study. The season was split into four phases: matches 1–16 (i.e., Phase 1 = P1); matches 17–32 (i.e., Phase 2 = P2); matches 33–48, (i.e., Phase 3 = P3); matches 49–65 (i.e., Phase 4 = P4). Considering match outcome, when the team wins, Cognitive load, Emotional load, and Affective load were significantly higher in away vs. home matches (p < 0.05). Considering season phases, in P3, Mental Fatigue was significantly higher in drawing than in losing matches (p < 0.05). Additionally, considering the match outcome, when the team lost, Total Distance (TD)/min and TD > 19 km·h⁻¹/min were significantly lower in P1 than P2 (p < 0.001), P3 (p < 0.001), and P4 (p < 0.001). These results suggest to strength and conditioning coaches the need to consider the outcome and location of the previous game when planning the week, as well as the phase of the season they are in to reduce fatigue and injury risk.

This study aimed to assess the effects of a multicomponent training program (ProSAS) on selected measures of physical fitness and joint injuries in Spanish male professional soccer players. Twenty-six professional soccer players (age: 25.2 ± 3.1 years) were randomly assigned to either the experimental (EG; n = 16) or control group (CG; n = 10). Y-balance test (YBT), Single leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ), Single leg hop for distance test (SLH), Side-hop test (SH), Speedy jump test (SpJ), Agility T-test (TT) and Lower extremity functional test (LEFT) were performed before and after an 8-weeks training period. Additionally, any joint injury occurring during the intervention period were recorded. Significant improvements in the EG in all tests (p = 0.001 to p = 0.014), except for SLCMJ (p = 0.632) with the dominant leg were observed. CG displayed decreases in SLCMJ with the non-dominant leg (p = 0.014), SH for both legs (p = 0.001 to p = 0.050), TT (p = 0.005), and LEFT (p = 0.001). Inter-groups differences revealed better results for the EG in all variables (p = 0.001 to p = 0.008) except from SLCMJd (p = 0.555). Moreover, the EG exhibited lower joint injury incidence and burden compared to the CG (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the ProSAS is an effective multicomponent program to improve variables related to risk of joint injuries, and consequently, to reduce the incidence and burden of these injuries in professional soccer players.