Classified metabolic power-based measures in professional football players: comparison between playing positions and match period

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was (i) provide reference data of metabolic power-based measures during professional football matches; and to (ii) analyze the between-position and between-halves differences of power-based measures during professional football matches. Methods Forty-six professional male players from two Turkish Super League teams were observed during two seasons, and 58 matches were analyzed. Total distance, equivalent distance, Low Power (LP), Intermediate Power (IP), High Power (HP), Elevated Power (EP), Max Power (MP) and power metabolic measures Pmet at different match moments were considered. Results Significant between-position differences were observed for IP (p: 0.000; d: 0.284), HP (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.45), EP (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.44), and for MP (p ≤ 0.001; d = 0.56), with the central defenders (CD) showing the lower values, and the central midfielders (CM) showing the higher values for the overall measures. Conclusion Power-based measures are dependent on playing positions. While the CD have lower Pmet values when compared to all positions, the CM have the greatest values. Training and recovery strategies must be ensured for CM players, especially those who have greater match participation.

Influence of Substitutions and Roles on Kinematic Variables in Professional Soccer Players

“…Analyzing the differences among roles, when significant differences were detected, MF often presented higher levels of AP and PEm at different intervals compared to one or more playing positions. Although Hoppe [19] and Guerrero-Calderón [20] have not found any differences between roles AP, our results are in agreement with different studies [1,21], confirming that MFs exerted more AP in different time played than other roles.…”

“…The execution of soccer-related movements imposes large physiological loads on players during competition. Studies have shown that activity profile is role-positioning dependent [1][2][3][4][5] and that locomotor activity, such as high-intensity running, is affected by the time played [5]. Despite a low average match speed (110-140 m • min-1, in a 90-minute game) [4], soccer players may experience remarkable neuromuscular fatigue and energy expenditure during the game [6].…”

Investigating Acceleration and Deceleration Patterns in Elite Youth Football: The Interplay of Ball Possession and Tactical Behavior

“…Recent research on elite football players, both senior and youth, has observed signs of fatigue such as a decrease in metabolic power [24] and a decline in the ability to accelerate and decelerate as the match progresses, varying by player position [1,2,6,24,25]. Most of these studies point to a decline in the second half of matches, especially greater in the last 20' of play [2,[26][27][28].…”

“…After an initial increase at the beginning of the second half, the trend declines steadily [2,10], but there is disagreement on quantifying these variables during a match. Some studies examine changes every 15' [1,24,26,27,29,30], while others prefer 10' [14] or 5' intervals [10,25].…”

“…Few existing studies examining the initial formation of the game reported higher demands for Ac/Dec when distances are shorter and fewer players are available [32], especially in possession-based playing styles like the 3-4-2-1 or 4-4-2 formation [33,34]. Positional differences in Ac/Dec demands lack consensus, with some studies suggesting midfielders [3,11,24], others forwards [1], and still others wingers and full-backs [6,9]. Furthermore, research on young players is limited.…”