1
|
Jackson DT, Blagrove RC, Thain PK, Weldon A, Clark CCT, Kelly AL. Competitive Match Running Speed Demands and Impact of Changing the Head Coach in Non-League Professional Football. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2025; 25:2865. [PMID: 40363302 DOI: 10.3390/s25092865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2025] [Revised: 04/25/2025] [Accepted: 04/30/2025] [Indexed: 05/15/2025]
Abstract
Match running speed demands vary across competitive levels of football, influenced by player position, tactical considerations, and Head Coach changes. In England, the level directly below professional football, Non-League Football (NLF), comprises full-time and part-time clubs. However, the running speed demands of professional teams at this level remain unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate (1) the match running speed demands in a professional NLF team, and (2) the impact of changing the Head Coach on these physical demands. Match running speed data were collected via Polar Team Pro global positioning system (GPS) devices during 41 matches of a tier 6 NLF team, comprising 311 observations of 22 full-time outfield players. Linear mixed-effect models examined the relationship between running speed metrics and fixed effects of a Head Coach change (n = 3), player position, and match outcome, with match number as a random effect. The team average total distance (TD) was 10,479 ± 42 m, and high-speed running and sprinting were 431 ± 62 m and 99 ± 26 m, respectively. The results showed significant positional differences, with wide defenders and midfielders associated with a greater TD than central defenders and strikers. Moreover, a change in Head Coach was significantly associated with a reduced TD, and a similar downward trend was observed across other running speed metrics. The TD and positional differences observed are comparable with other football cohorts, yet HSR and sprinting distances were notably lower in professional NLF. The findings highlight NLF clubs' challenges in transitioning to higher competitive levels and provide insights for performance and training. Further research is warranted to explore the influence of running speed demands, technical and tactical factors, and other determinants on success in NLF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel T Jackson
- Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development (RAYSD) Lab, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK
| | - Richard C Blagrove
- School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
| | - Peter K Thain
- Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development (RAYSD) Lab, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK
| | - Anthony Weldon
- Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development (RAYSD) Lab, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK
- Aston Villa Foundation, Aston Villa Football Club, Birmingham B6 6HE, UK
| | - Cain C T Clark
- Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development (RAYSD) Lab, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK
| | - Adam L Kelly
- Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development (RAYSD) Lab, Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Plakias S, Michailidis Y. Factors Affecting the Running Performance of Soccer Teams in the Turkish Super League. Sports (Basel) 2024; 12:196. [PMID: 39058087 PMCID: PMC11280778 DOI: 10.3390/sports12070196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Performance analysis in sports is a rapidly evolving field, where academics and applied performance analysts work together to improve coaches' decision making through the use of performance indicators (PIs). This study aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of factors affecting running performance (RP) in soccer teams, focusing on low (LI), medium (MI), and high-speed distances (HI) and the number of high-speed runs (NHI). Data were collected from 185 matches in the Turkish first division's 2021-2022 season using InStat Fitness's optical tracking technology. Four linear mixed-model analyses were conducted on the RP metrics with fixed factors, including location, team quality, opponent quality, ball possession, high-press, counterattacks, number of central defenders, and number of central forwards. The findings indicate that high-press and opponent team quality affect MI (d = 0.311, d = 0.214) and HI (d = 0.303, d = 0.207); team quality influences MI (d = 0.632); location and counterattacks impact HI (d = 0.228, d = 0.450); high-press and the number of central defenders affects NHI (d = 0.404, d = 0.319); and ball possession affects LI (d = 0.287). The number of central forwards did not influence any RP metrics. This study provides valuable insights into the factors influencing RP in soccer, highlighting the complex interactions between formations and physical, technical-tactical, and contextual variables. Understanding these dynamics can help coaches and analysts optimize team performance and strategic decision making.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Spyridon Plakias
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of Thessaly, 38221 Trikala, Greece;
| | - Yiannis Michailidis
- Laboratory of Evaluation of Human Biological Performance, New Buildings of Laboratories, Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sánchez-Abselam O, González-Fernández FT, Figueiredo A, Castillo-Rodríguez A, Onetti-Onetti W. Effect of the role, playing position and the body characteristics on physical performance in female soccer players. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29240. [PMID: 38623189 PMCID: PMC11016714 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The aims of this study were to know the physical demands according to the playing position and team role, and to assess the effect of the body characteristics on the physical performance of semi-professional female soccer players. Forty-five female semi-professional soccer players during 9 home-matches of the 2021-2022 season were analyzed and GPS devices (GPEXE ®) were used. ANCOVA tests were performed with playing time as covariate. The results showed greater physical demands in forwards and wide-midfielders and offensive role players. Total distance, metabolic power, accelerations, deaccelerations, and distance covered to medium and high speed obtained a strong effect size in these analyses according to the playing position. Furthermore, relationships between body weight and physical performance were found (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the main finding of this study showed that semi-professional female soccer players compete differently, caused by differentiated functions, evidenced in the playing positions and role in the team. Offensive role, forwards and wide-midfielder female players performed the highest physical demands in the competition. This study has shown relevant information for coaches, S&C coaches, and training staff of the semi-professional female soccer teams in order to propose new keys and ways of planning training sessions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Antonio Figueiredo
- Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Alfonso Castillo-Rodríguez
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Didáctica de las Lenguas, Artes y Deportes, Universidad de Málaga, Andalucía-Tech, IBIMA, Málaga, Spain
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sousa H, Musa RM, Clemente FM, Sarmento H, Gouveia ÉR. Physical predictors for retention and dismissal of professional soccer head coaches: an analysis of locomotor variables using logistic regression pipeline. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1301845. [PMID: 38053523 PMCID: PMC10694450 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1301845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Soccer has enormous global popularity, increasing pressure on clubs to optimize performance. In failure, the tendency is to replace the Head coach (HC). This study aimed to check the physical effects of mid-season replacements of HCs, investigating which external load variables can predict retention or dismissal. Methods The data was collected in training and matches of a professional adult male soccer team during three complete seasons (2020/21-2022/2023). The sample included 6 different HCs (48.8 ± 7.4 years of age; 11.2 ± 3.9 years as a HC). The 4 weeks and 4 games before and after the replacement of HCs were analysed. External load variables were collected with Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. A logistic regression (LR) model was developed to classify the HCs' retention or dismissal. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted to determine the specific locomotive variables that could predict the likelihood of HC retention or dismissal. Results In competition, locomotor performance was better under the dismissed HCs, whereas the new HC had better values during training. The LR model demonstrated a good prediction accuracy of 80% with a recall and precision of 85% and 78%, respectively, amongst other model performance indicators. Meters per minute in games was the only significant variable that could serve as a potential physical marker to signal performance decline and predict the potential dismissal of an HC with an odd ratio of 32.4%. Discussion An in-depth analysis and further studies are needed to understand other factors' effects on HC replacement or retention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Honorato Sousa
- Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rabiu Muazu Musa
- Centre for Fundamental and Continuing Education, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Malaysia
| | - Filipe Manuel Clemente
- Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, Viana do Castelo, Portugal
- Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, Gdańsk, Poland
- Sport Physical Activity and Health Research & Innovation Center SPRINT, Melgaço, Portugal
| | - Hugo Sarmento
- Research Unit for Sport and Physical Activity, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Élvio R. Gouveia
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
- LARSyS, Interactive Technologies Institute, Funchal, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Guerrero-Calderón B, Fradua L, Morcillo JA, Castillo-Rodríguez A. Analysis of the Competitive Weekly Microcycle in Elite Soccer: Comparison of Workload Behavior in Absolute and Relative Terms. J Strength Cond Res 2023; 37:343-350. [PMID: 36696259 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000004219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Berni Guerrero-Calderón
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain ; and
| | - Luis Fradua
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain ; and
| | - José A Morcillo
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Jaen, Jaen, Spain
| | - Alfonso Castillo-Rodríguez
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain ; and
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Aquino R, Guimarães R, Junior GOC, Clemente FM, García-Calvo T, Pulido JJ, Nobari H, Praça GM. Effects of match contextual factors on internal and external load in elite Brazilian professional soccer players through the season. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21287. [PMID: 36494482 PMCID: PMC9734126 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25903-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of contextual match factors (quality of opposition, match outcome, change of head coach or playing style) on internal and external load in elite Brazilian professional soccer players, considering the total and effective playing time. Twenty-two professional male outfield soccer players participated in this study (age 28.4 ± 4.9 years; height 1.78 ± 0.1 cm; body mass 72.9 ± 7.1 kg). The internal (rating of perceived exertion-based load [sRPE]) and external load (distance and accelerometry-based measures) were recorded during 38 matches, over the 2021 season of the Brazilian National 1st Division League using a global position system (10 Hz) integrated with an accelerometer (200 Hz). The main results were: (i) matches played against weak opponents presented greater values of sprinting distances compared to matches against intermediate and strong opponents; (ii) players covered greater high-intensity running distances when drawing than winning the matches; (iii) matches with assistant coaches presented higher mean speed relative to effective playing time (MSEPT) compared to coach 1 and coach 2 conditions. In addition, players covered greater MSEPT and high-acceleration in matches with coach 2 vs. coach 3; (iv) finally, small positive correlations were observed between positional attack sequences and MSTPT, total distance covered, and acceleration. Coaches and practitioners should consider these results when interpreting external load variables during elite Brazilian soccer matches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Aquino
- grid.412371.20000 0001 2167 4168LabSport, Post-Graduate Program in Physical Education, Centre of Physical Education and Sports, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Guimarães
- Department of Physiology, América Football Club, Belo Horizonte, Brazil ,grid.8393.10000000119412521Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias del Deporte, Facultad de Ciencias del Deporte, Universidad de Extremadura, 10071 Cáceres, Spain
| | | | - Filipe Manuel Clemente
- grid.27883.360000 0000 8824 6371Escola Superior Desporto e Lazer, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Rua Escola Industrial e Comercial de Nun’Álvares, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, Portugal ,Research Center in Sports Performance, Recreation, Innovation and Technology (SPRINT), 4960-320 Melgaço, Portugal ,grid.421174.50000 0004 0393 4941Instituto de Telecomunicações, Delegação da Covilhã, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Tomas García-Calvo
- grid.8393.10000000119412521Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | - Juan José Pulido
- grid.8393.10000000119412521Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas, 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - Hadi Nobari
- grid.8393.10000000119412521Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, Avenida de la Universidad, 10003 Cáceres, Spain ,grid.413026.20000 0004 1762 5445Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Educational Science and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh, Ardabil, 56199-11367 Iran ,grid.5120.60000 0001 2159 8361Department of Motor Performance, Faculty of Physical Education and Mountain Sports, Transilvania University of Braşov, 500068 Braşov, Romania
| | - Gibson Moreira Praça
- grid.8430.f0000 0001 2181 4888Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Radzimiński Ł, Padrón-Cabo A, Modric T, Andrzejewski M, Versic S, Chmura P, Sekulic D, Konefał M. The effect of mid-season coach turnover on running match performance and match outcome in professional soccer players. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10680. [PMID: 35739176 PMCID: PMC9226040 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14996-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this research was to examine the physical match performance and match outcome before and after coach turnover in professional soccer teams compared with a control group containing coaches working continuously for 3 consecutive seasons. Analysed data included 325 performances of teams led by dismissed coaches (DC), 313 of teams led by new coaches (NC), and 580 of teams led by unchanged coaches (UnC). Variables, such as average number of collected points, total distance (TD), total distance per minute (TD/min), high-speed running (HSR), sprinting and number of high-intensity runs (NHIR), were analysed in the last 15 games of DC and 15 matches of NC. These periods were divided into 3 blocks out of 5 matches (5-match blocks). NC collected a significantly higher number of points than DC (p = 0.015), whereas average points collected by UNC were significantly greater than DC (p < 0.001 and NC (p = 0.012). TD and TD/min for DC were significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared with both NC and UnC, whereas significant differences in HSR (p = 0.003) and NHIR (p = 0.03) were identified between DC and NC. The current study reported that mid-season coach turnover may result in short-term improvement in team results and physical match performance. However, this effect disappears after a period of approximately 5 games.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Radzimiński
- Department of Physiology, Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, K. Górskiego 1, 80-336, Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Alexis Padrón-Cabo
- Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, University of A Coruña, 15071, A Coruña, Spain
| | - Toni Modric
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Marcin Andrzejewski
- Department of Recreation, University School of Physical Education, Poznań, Poland
| | - Sime Versic
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Paweł Chmura
- Department of Team Games, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Damir Sekulic
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split, 21000, Split, Croatia
| | - Marek Konefał
- Department of Biological and Motor Sport Bases, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Augusto D, Brito J, Aquino R, Figueiredo P, Eiras F, Tannure M, Veiga B, Vasconcellos F. Contextual Variables Affect Running Performance in Professional Soccer Players: A Brief Report. Front Sports Act Living 2021; 3:778813. [PMID: 34966895 PMCID: PMC8710504 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2021.778813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effects of contextual variables on running performance in Brazilian professional soccer players. Twenty male players from one club participating in the 1st Division of the Brazilian soccer championship were analyzed during 35 matches. Global Positioning System was used to determine total distance (TD) covered, distance covered and actions in high intensity and sprinting, and the number of accelerations, and decelerations. The independent variables used were match location, match outcome, opposition ranking, change of head coach, and distance traveled to play the matches. Total distance was higher in a way than home matches (9,712 vs. 9,533 m; p ≤ 0.05), and losses than draws and wins (9,846 vs. 9,400 vs. 9,551 m; p ≤ 0.05), whereas distance in sprinting was higher in draws than losses (203 vs. 175 m; p ≤ 0.01). Changing the head coach during the season resulted in overall lower distance covered in high intensity, sprinting, high-intensity actions (p ≤ 0.01), and decelerations (p ≤ 0.05). Higher values for distance covered in sprinting and high intensity were found in matches without travel compared to those with long-travel (p ≤ 0.05). Overall, running performance was affected by the location, match outcome, change of head coach, and distance traveled during the season.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diêgo Augusto
- Institute of Physical Education and Sports, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratory of Soccer Studies (LABESFUT), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Post-graduate Program in Exercise and Sport Sciences, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - João Brito
- Portugal Football School, Portuguese Football Federation, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo Aquino
- Department of Sports, Center of Physical Education and Sports (CEFD), Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Pedro Figueiredo
- Portugal Football School, Portuguese Football Federation, Oeiras, Portugal.,Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, CIDESD, Maia, Portugal.,CIDEFES, Universidade Lusófona, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Fabio Eiras
- Laboratory of Soccer Studies (LABESFUT), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Bruno Veiga
- Institute of Physical Education and Sports, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratory of Soccer Studies (LABESFUT), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Vasconcellos
- Institute of Physical Education and Sports, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Laboratory of Soccer Studies (LABESFUT), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Post-graduate Program in Exercise and Sport Sciences, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|