Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(4): 237-242
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1247546
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Match-to-Match Variability of High-Speed Activities in Premier League Soccer

W. Gregson1 , B. Drust1 , G. Atkinson1 , V. D. Salvo2
  • 1Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, United Kingdom
  • 2Department of Health Sciences, University of Rome „Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision January 13, 2010

Publication Date:
15 February 2010 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The aim of the present investigation was to determine the between-match variability of high-speed running activities completed by a large sample of elite players over an extended period of time. A further aim of the study was to determine the influence of playing position on the magnitude of this variability. Observations on individual match performance measures were undertaken on 485 outfield players (median of 10 games per player; range=2–57) competing in the English Premier League from 2003/2004 to 2005/2006 using a computerised tracking system (Prozone®, Leeds, England). High-speed activities selected for analysis included total high-speed running distance (THSR), high-speed running (HSR), total sprint distance (TSD) and the total number of sprints undertaken. Total high-speed running distance in possession and without possession of the ball was also analysed. Match-to-match variability was generally high across all variables with a mean CV of 16.2±6.4% (95% CI=15.6–16.7%) and 30.8±11.2% (95% CI=29.9–31.7%) reported for HSR and TSD covered during a game. This variability was generally higher for central players (midfielders and defenders) and lower for wide midfielders and attackers. Greater variability was also noted when the team were in possession of the ball (∼30%) than when they did not have possession (∼23%). The findings of the present study indicate that match-to-match variability in performance characteristics of elite soccer players is high. This inherent variability means that research requires large sample sizes in order to detect real systematic changes in performance characteristics.

Key words

between-match variation - physical performance - position

References

  • 1 Abt G, Lovell R. The use of individualized speed and intensity thresholds for determining the distance run at high-intensity in professional soccer.  J Sports Sci. 2009;  27 893-898
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Atkinson G. Sport performance: variable or construct?.  J Sports Sci. 2002;  20 291-292
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Atkinson G. What is thing called measurement error?. In: Reilly T, Marfell-Jones M, (eds) Kinanthropometry VIII. The proceedings of the 8th International Conference of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). London: Taylor and Francis; 2003: 3-14
    Google Scholar
  • 4 Atkinson G, Nevill AM. Selected issues in the design and analysis of sport performance research.  J Sports Sci. 2001;  19 811-827
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Bangsbo J, Iaia M, Krustrup P. The Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test. A useful tool for evaluation of physical performance in intermittent sports.  Sports Med. 2008;  38 37-51
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Bangsbo J, Norregaard L, Thorso F. Activity profile of competition soccer.  Can J Sport Sci. 1991;  16 110-116
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Batterham AM, Atkinson G. How big does my sample need to be? A primer on the murky world of sample size estimation.  Phys Ther Sport. 2005;  6 153-163
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Castagna C, Abt G. Intermatch variation of match activity in elite Italian soccer referees.  J Strength Cond Res. 2003;  17 388-392
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 9 Carling C, Bloomfield J, Nelsen L, Reilly T. The role of motion analysis in elite soccer.  Sports Med. 2008;  38 839-862
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Currell K, Jeukendrup AE. Validity, reliability and sensitivity of measures of sporting performance.  Sports Med. 2008;  38 297-316
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Di Salvo V, Collins A, McNeill B, Cardinale M. Validation of Prozone®: A new video-based performance analysis system.  Int J Perf Anal Sport. 2006;  6 108-119
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Di Salvo V, Baron R, Tschan H, Calferon Montero FJ, Bachl N, Pigozzi F. Performance characteristics according to playing position in elite soccer.  Int J Sports Med. 2007;  28 222-227
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Di Salvo V, Gregson W, Atkinson G, Tordoff P, Drust B. Analysis of high intensity activity in premier league soccer.  Int J Sports Med. 2009;  30 205-212
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Drust B, Atkinson G, Reilly T. Future perspectives in the evaluation of the physiological demands of soccer.  Sports Med. 2007;  37 783-805
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Drust B, Reilly T, Cable NT. Physiological responses to laboratory-based soccer-specific intermittent and continuous exercise.  J Sports Sci. 2000;  18 885-892
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Ekblom B. Applied physiology of soccer.  Sports Med. 1986;  3 50-60
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Harriss DJ, Atkinson G. International Journal of Sports Medicine – Ethical standards in sport and exercise science research.  Int J Sports Med. 2009;  30 701-702
    Google Scholar
  • 18 Helgerud J, Engen LC, Wisloff U, Hoff J. Aerobic endurance training improves soccer performance.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2001;  33 1925-1931
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Hopkins WG, Hawley JA, Burke L. Design and analysis of research on sport performance enhancement.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1999;  31 472-485
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 Impellizzeri FM, Marcora SM, Castagna C, Reilly T, Sassi A, Iaia FM, Rampinini E. Physiological and performance effects of generic versus specific aerobic training in soccer players.  Int J Sports Med. 2006;  27 483-492
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Krustrup P, Bangsbo J. Physiological demands of top-class soccer refereeing in relation to physical capacity: effect of intense intermittent exercise training.  J Sports Sci. 2001;  19 881-891
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Krustrup P, Mohr M, Amstrup T, Rysgaard T, Johansen J, Steensberg A, Pedersen PK, Bangsbo J. The yo-yo intermittent recovery test: physiological response, reliability and validity.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;  35 697-705
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Krustrup P, Mohr M, Ellingsgaard H, Bangsbo J. Physical demands during an elite female soccer game: importance of training status.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2005;  37 1242-1248
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Mohr M, Krustrup P, Bangsbo J. Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue.  J Sports Sci. 2003;  21 519-528
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Nicholas CW, Nuttall FE, Williams C. The Loughborough intermittent shuttle test: A field test that simulates the activity pattern of soccer.  J Sports Sci. 2000;  18 97-104
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Rampinini E, Bishop D, Marcora SM, Ferrari Bravo D, Sassi R, Impellizzeri FM. Validity of simple field tests as indicators of match-related physical performance in top-level professional soccer players.  Int J Sports Med. 2007;  28 228-235
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Rampinini E, Coutts AJ, Castagna C, Sassi R, Impellizzeri FM. Variation in top level soccer match performance.  Int J Sports Med. 2007;  28 1018-1024
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Reilly T. Motion analysis and physiological demands.. In: Reilly T, Williams AM, (eds) Science and Soccer. London: Routledge; 2003: 59-73
    Google Scholar
  • 29 Stolen T, Chamari K, Castagna C, Wisloff U. Physiology of soccer.  An update. Sports Med. 2005;  35 501-536
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Weston M, Castagna C, Impellizzeri FF, Rampinini E, Abt G. Analysis of physical match performance in English Premier League soccer referees with particular reference to first half and player work rates.  Int J Sports Med. 2007;  10 390-397
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Correspondence

Dr. Warren GregsonPhD 

Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences

Liverpool John Moores University

Tom Reilly Building

Byrom Street Campus

Liverpool

L3 3AF

Phone: +44/151 9046234

Fax: +44/151 2314353

Email: w.gregson@Ijmu.ac.uk

URL: http://www.ljmu.ac.uk/SPS