The Influence of Time Winning and Time Losing on Position-Specific Match Physical Demands in the Top One Spanish Soccer League

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of time winning and time losing on position-specific match physical demands with and without ball possession in the top Spanish professional soccer league. All matches played in the First Spanish soccer league over four consecutive seasons (from 2015/16 to 2018/19) were recorded using an optical tracking system (i.e., ChyronHego), and the data were analyzed via Mediacoach®. Total distance (TD), and TD > 21 km·h−1 covered with and without ball possession were analyzed using a Linear Mixed Model, taking into account the contextual variables time winning and losing. Results showed that TD and TD > 21 km·h−1 covered by central midfielders (0.01 and 0.005 m/min, respectively), wide midfielders (0.02 and 0.01 m/min, respectively), and forwards (0.03 and 0.02 m/min, respectively) significantly increased while winning (p < 0.05). By contrast, TD and TD > 21 km·h−1 covered by central defenders (0.01 and 0.008 m/min, respectively) and wide defenders (0.06 and 0.008 m/min, respectively) significantly increased while losing (p < 0.05). In addition, for each minute that teams were winning, total distance with ball possession (TDWP) decreased, while, for each minute that teams were losing, TDWP increased. Instead, TDWP > 21 km·h−1 obtained opposite results. Total distance without ball possession increased when teams were winning, and decreased when teams were losing. Therefore, the evolution of scoreline significantly influences tactical–technical and physical demands on soccer matches.

Factores que intervienen en el éxito deportivo: Una experiencia educativa

“…In another study, it is stated that successful teams have higher workloads in win matches when compared with draw or defeat for all variables (total distance, high-speed running distance, total sprint distance, average speed, maximal speed) (Nobari et al, 2021). In a research investigating the matches of a football team in the Spanish League total distance (> 21 kmh−1) without ball possession increased when teams were winning, and decreased when teams were losing (Ponce-Bordón et al, 2021). Similar findings were also found in this study.…”

The seven phases of match status differentiate the running performance of soccer players in UEFA Champions League

“…Such activities as accelerations, decelerations, distance covered in high-intensity running (speed > 19.8 km h −1 , HIR) and number of sprints are worth to mention 21 , 22 . Distance covered in high intensity during the game exceed even 1800 m (6–8 m·min −1 ) 3 , 23 , however, it is dependent on the assumed speed thresholds 24 , 25 and tactical position of the players 24 . The longest total distance is usually covered by the central midfielders, while external defenders and external midfielders cover the longest distance in HIR 26 .…”

The Effect of the Video Assistant Referee System Implementation on Match Physical Demands in the Spanish LaLiga

“…Following previous studies [16,17], match physical demands by teams were recorded by Mediacoach ® in different speed ranges: total distance covered by football teams in meters (i.e., TD), relative total distance covered by football teams per minute (TD/min. ), distance covered between 14-21 km•h −1 (Medium-intensity running distance = MIRD), distance covered between 21-24 km•h −1 (High-intensity running distance = HIRD), and distance covered at more than 24 km•h −1 (Very high-intensity running distance = VHIRD).…”