Technical and physical performances of Chinese Super League soccer players differ according to their playing status and position. (3rd September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gai, Yang; Volossovitch, Anna; Leicht, Anthony S.; Gómez, Miguel-Ángel
• Is Part Of: International journal of performance analysis in sport. Volume 19:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 878
• Page End: 892
• Publication Date: 2019-09-03
• Subjects: Physical demands -- technical indicators -- playing position -- starter -- substitute; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; 796.015
• DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2019.1669356
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2474-8668

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to compare the technical and physical performances of starters, substitutes and whole-match players of different playing positions: central defender, full-back, central midfielder, wide midfielder, and forward. Data were collected from the Chinese Super League. Technical and physical match-performances were analysed using independent / paired t-tests for the following groups: starters (n = 4, 794) vs. substitutes (n = 1, 208); whole-match players (n = 3, 505) vs. substitutes (n = 1, 208); within-player comparisons: starters (n = 258) vs. substitutes (n = 258). Significant differences were identified between substitutes and starters/whole-match players for central defenders (number of shots, total distance), central midfielders (high-intensity and total distance, number of high-intensity runs and sprints), wide-midfielders (high-intensity distance, number of high-intensity runs and sprints) and forwards (number of forward passes). Significant differences were identified during within-player comparisons for fullbacks (shot success, ground challenges success), central midfielders (number of passes, shots, aerial challenges and ground challenges), wide midfielders (number of high-intensity runs, sprint % of distance) and forwards (sprint % of distance, number of shots). Substitutes in the CSL experienced greater work-rates and completed more technical actions than starters or whole-match players but with a lower efficacy that was modulated by playing position.