Previous studies have analysed the influence of contextual variables on performance and physical demands in soccer. However, the points needed to remain in the category have been an element that has not been analysed previously. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of match location, match period, strength of the opponent and the points required to keep category on physical performance in professional soccer players. Fourteen Spanish second B Division League matches played by a professional football team were analysed during the 2016/17 season using GPS devices. The 10 main players of each match used the GPS throughout the match. The variables of Total Distance (m), High Intensity Distance (m), High intensity Accelerations (n), Sprint Time (s) and Sprint Distance (m) were analysed. The most notable differences are found in Total Distance covered. Away games accumulated significantly more distance than those played at home, but only in the second half (+230.65 m, IC95%: 21.94 to 438.19, ES: 0.46, p = 0.031). There are no differences depending on the strength of the opponent. However, players covered greater distances during the first half in those matches that were played furthest from salvation (+235.86 m, 95% CI: 49.03 to 422.70, ES: 0.51, p = 0.014). Total Distance is the main parameter affected by situational variables. In addition, the pressure of being further away from saving the category increases the distance covered by players in a game.

The aim of this study was to investigate the physical performance differences between players that started (i.e. starters, ≥65 minutes played) and those that were substituted into (i.e. non‐starter) soccer friendly matches. Fourteen professional players (age: 23.2 ± 2.7 years, body height: 178 ± 6 cm, body mass: 73.2 ± 6.9 kg) took part in this study. Twenty, physical performance‐related match variables (e.g. distance covered at different intensities, accelerations and decelerations, player load, maximal running speed, exertion index, work‐to‐rest ratio and rating of perceived exertion) were collected during two matches. Results were analysed using effect sizes (ES) and magnitude based inferences. Compared to starters, non‐starters covered greater match distance within the following intensity categories: >3.3≤4.2m/s (very likely), >4.2≤5 m/s (likely) and >5≤6.9 m/s (likely). In contrast, similar match average acceleration and deceleration values were identified for starters and non‐starters (trivial). Indicators of workloads including player loads (very likely), the exertion index (very likely), and the work–to‐rest ratio (very likely) were greater, while self‐ reported ratings of perceived exertion were lower (likely) for non‐starters compared to starters. The current study demonstrates that substantial physical performance differences during friendly soccer matches exist between starters and non‐starters. Identification of these differences enables coaches and analysts to potentially prescribe optimal training loads and microcycles based upon player’s match starting status.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the number of ball touches authorised per game (one touch [T1], two touches [T2], and free touches [FT]) on the players’ physical responses throughout the bouts in 4 vs 4 soccer small-sided games (SSGs) with mini-goals (without a...

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the validity of two different GPS device models used for time–motion analyses in ecological testing of football. Methods: Ten healthy male players from a Spanish university football team participated in this study. The team sport simulation circuit (TSCC) used was based on previous research examining the validity and interunit reliability of different GPS systems. Participants were required to complete eight laps of the TSSC, resulting in a total distance of 1320 m. The GPS units used for the current study were the 18 Hz StatsSport Apex Pro and 18 Hz RealTrack WIMU Pro. Participants were required to wear either of the two GPS units during the test. To establish the construct validity of GPS as a measure of V_max, timing lights were used as a gold standard. Results: The results clearly suggest that it is not possible to use the same 18 Hz GPS model or interchange it. The measurement can be considered precise when the noise is at least equal to or lower than the smallest worthwhile change. In this case, all standard deviation in measurement error was higher than the smallest worthwhile change. This is due to an inconsistency in the data processing of each trademark. Conclusions: It is important to prevent a club using different GPS trademarks at the same time, since it is not possible to compare in any case any type of result obtained between different trademarks.

The aim of this study was to analyse different success models and split time on cut-off point values on physical demands to keep category in semi-professional football players. An ad hoc observational controlled study was carried out with a total of ten (840 match data) outfield main players (25.2 ± 6.3 years, 1.79 ± 0.75 m, 74.9 ± 5.8 kg and 16.5 ± 6 years of football experience) and monitored using 15 Hz GPS devices. During 14 official matches from the Spanish division B in the 2016/2017 season, match data were coded considering the situational variable (score) and classified by match results (winning, losing or drawing). The results show significant differences between high-intensity attributes criteria that considered split time in velocity zones of 0–15 min (p = 0.043, ηp² = 0.065, medium), 30–45 min (p = 0.010, ηp² = 0.094, medium) and 60–75 min (p = 0.015, ηp² = 0.086, medium), as well as sprint 60–75 min (p = 0.042, ηp² = 0.066, medium) and 75–90 min (p = 0.002, ηp² = 0.129, medium). Decision tree induction was applied to reduce the disparity range of data according to six 15-min intervals and to determine the cut-off point values for every parameter combination. It was possible to establish multivariate models for the main high-intensity actions criteria, allowing the establishment of all rules with their attributes and enabling the detection and visualisation of relationships and the pattern sets of variables for determining success.

The aim of this study was to characterise all the goal scoring patterns during open play (elaborate attacks versus counterattacks) related to zone pitch division and the number of players involved in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. An Iterative Dichotomiser 3 (ID3) decision tree algorithm was used to classify all the goal scoring patterns (94 goals in 64 matches). The results did not show statistical differences between the type of scoring goal during the 2018 FIFA World Cup (p > 0.05; ES = Moderate). According to the result of the patterns of how the goals were achieved, an ID3 algorithm decision tree with seven classification decision nodes was calculated. Consequently, this study may aid national team coaches for the next World Cup to establish notational analyses and spatial-temporal relations to understand how scoring patterns during open play are related to zone pitch division and the number of players involved.