Effects of competitive standard, team formation and playing position on match running performance of Brazilian professional soccer players. (3rd September 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Aquino, Rodrigo; Vieira, Luiz H. Palucci; Carling, Christopher; Martins, Guilherme H. M.; Alves, Isabella S.; Puggina, Enrico F.
• Is Part Of: International journal of performance analysis in sport. Volume 17:Number 5(2017)
• Page Start: 695
• Page End: 705
• Publication Date: 2017-09-03
• Subjects: Association football -- time–motion analysis -- match demands -- match preparation; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; 796.015
• DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2017.1384976
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2474-8668

Abstract

Abstract: This study examined the effects of competitive standard, team formation and playing position on match running performance in a Brazilian professional soccer team. Performance was investigated in 36 players in 48 matches at 3 competitive standards: 1st São Paulo State Championship; 3rd and 4th Brazilian leagues. Global Positioning System technology was used to determine total distance covered (TD), maximal running speed (MRS), mean speed (SMEAN ) and frequency of high-intensity activities (HIA). Data were compared across competitive standards, team formations and playing positions. Magnitude-based inferences showed greater values for TD, SMEAN and HIA ( likely to almost certain ) in the lower national (3rd, 4th Brazilian) vs. the top state division (1st São Paulo). Higher values for all variables were reported for the 1–4–3–3 vs. the 1–4–4–2 formation ( likely to almost certain ). External defenders/midfielders and forwards reported greater values ( likely to almost certain ) vs. central defenders/midfielders, especially in HIA. Linear regression analyses showed that playing position demonstrated a higher relative contribution to the variance in MRS (24%) and HIA (29%) compared to team formation (16 and 25%, respectively). In a Brazilian professional soccer team, match running performance was dependent upon competitive standard, playing formation and playing position.