Match Running Performance of Elite Soccer Players and Correlations with Anthropometric and Power Indexes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate possible correlations between a) jumping ability (squat jump and countermovement jump performance) and c) anthropometric indexes with the distances covered at different intensities during soccer matches by Greek elite soccer players (n=11). Match running performance was analyzed using a global positioning system (GPS) within the second division professional league. Body weight and height were moderately correlated with the distance that was covered in the first half with the speed from 19.7 to 23.7 km/h (r=-0.605, p<0.05 and r=-0.616, p<0.05, respectively). No correlations were found between SJ and CMJ performance with match running performance in all the velocities. The players covered greater distances in the first half at all speed levels except for walking (6-11.9 km/h: 1,548 vs. 1,260 m, p<0.01; 12-15.7 km/h: 896 vs. 696 m, p<0.001; 15.8-19.6 km/h: 438 vs. 347 m, p<0.01; 19.7-23.7 km/h: 176 vs. 142 m, p<0.01; 23+ km/h: 71 vs. 52 m, p<0.001). The results demonstrated that match running performance depends on the tactical strategies of each team. Shorter players and who weight less may perform better in higher velocities. However, more studies with greater samples are needed to estimate the relations that were mentioned. Contribution/Originality:This study is one of very few studies which have investigated the relationship between match running performance with anthropometric and power indexes. The paper's primary contribution is finding that match running performance does not correlated with player's power and shorter players may perform better in higher velocities. INTRODUCTIONSoccer is an intermittent type of sport which incorporates actions with low and high intensity and duration.The global positioning systems (GPSs) that have been used for few decades to help coaches to quantify the physiological demands of soccer (Bangsbo et al., 1991). Elite soccer players during a match cover a distance around 9-14 km (Bradley et al., 2010) and perform a lot of activities like accelerations, decelerations, jumps, changes of direction and other (Mohr et al., 2005).Power actions seem to be critical for the outcome of the match (Castagna et al., 2003). Reilly et al. (2000) had mentioned that these actions can discriminate a successful and an unsuccessful performance. High intensity running

Functional Kinesiology in Health and Performance

“…However, there is debate as to whether inter-limb strength asymmetry impairs sports performance. The literature suggests that inter-limb strength asymmetry appears to have a negative effect on performance in jumping, sprinting and change of direction (COD) (Bell et al, 2014;Michailidis et al, 2020;. However, there is also evidence to suggest that inter-limb strength asymmetry may not always negatively impact performance Dos'Santos et al, 2018).…”