Factors Influencing Physical and Technical Variability in the English Premier League

Abstract

Purpose:To investigate match-to-match variability of physical and technical performances in English Premier League players and quantify the influence of positional and contextual factors.Methods:Match data (N = 451) were collected using a multicamera computerized tracking system across multiple seasons (2005–06 to 2012–13). The coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated from match to match for physical and technical performances in selected positions across different match contexts (location, standard, and result).Results:Wide midfielders demonstrated the greatest CVs for total distance (4.9% ± 5.9%) and central midfielders the smallest (3.6% ± 2.0%); nevertheless, all positions exhibited CVs <5% (P > .05, effect size [ES] 0.1–0.3). Central defenders demonstrated the greatest CVs and wide midfielders the lowest for both high-intensity running (20.2% ± 8.8% and 13.7% ± 7.7%, P < .05, ES 0.4–0.8) and sprint distance (32.3% ± 13.8% and 22.6% ± 11.2%, P < .05, ES 0.5–0.8). Technical indicators such as tackles (83.7% ± 42.3%), possessions won (47.2% ± 27.9%), and interceptions (59.1% ± 37.3%) illustrated substantial variability for attackers compared with all other positions (P < .05, ES 0.4–1.1). Central defenders demonstrated large variability for the number of times tackled per match (144.9% ± 58.3%) and passes attempted and received compared with other positions (39.2% ± 17.5% and 46.9% ± 20.2%, P < .001, ES 0.6–1.8). Contextual factors had limited impact on the variability of physical and technical parameters.Conclusions:The data demonstrate that technical parameters varied more from match to match than physical parameters. Defensive players (fullbacks and central defenders) displayed higher CVs for offensive technical variables, while attacking players (attackers and wide midfielders) exhibited higher CVs for defensive technical variables. Physical and technical performances are variable per se regardless of context.

Quantification of a Professional Football Team's External Load Using a Microcycle Structure

“…Although these are the most intense sessions within the microcycle, whereby players are expected to produce repeated intense efforts, variation was still present, as the coaches constantly adjusted sessions because of the players' schedule, physical recovery status, and conditioning requirements for that week. Moreover, HSR and SPR distances are the metrics illustrating the most variability within the microcycle (.80%), which is consistent with the variability found in SSG formats (60-140%) (2) but lower than competition variability (20-30%) (14,16). The large variability in load across sessions and metrics seems to be a combination of the inherent unpredictable nature of game-based training and the strategies used by coaches to vary the stimulus for players to create training adaptations.…”

“…Although elements of the schedule are controlled, some are variable and occur in an unpredictable manner. The variability in load metrics across the microcycle has not been explored sufficiently within the literature, despite a plethora of studies quantifying competition variability (14,16). Changes in stimuli and load are important for training adaptations within the elite setting (24).…”

Evaluation of the Technical Performance of Football Players in the UEFA Champions League

“…Recent research identified that match location had a significant influence on technical variables [17], although it had limited impact on physical variables [47]. The effect of match location on players' performance in our database is lower than those of reported in prior studies.…”

The effects of ball possession status on physical and technical indicators during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Finals

“…Thus, teams adopting a HPBPT philosophy should consider the above variables as important indicators to adopt to allow ball retention to be maintained. This finding could also be important for recruiting players in all positions with modern central defenders and midfielders illustrating the most pronounced increases in BP related variables such as short/medium distance passes given there instrumental role in creating and maintain BP sequences in elite soccer (Bush, Archer, Hogg, & Bradley, 2015). Although the reader must be aware of the complexity of match-play and the extraneous variables not included in this analysis that could impact BP.…”