engleski

Match running performance in relation to a playing position in Croatian Football League

Global popularity of soccer has led to implementation of scientific and technological knowledge in its everyday use. One of such things that has been expanding in recent years is the application of various technologies for monitoring running performance during trainings and matches. The aim of this study was to evaluate match running performance of professional football/soccer players during official matches by using global positioning system (GPS) technology, and to compare it among playing positions. One hundred and one match performance of “Hajduk” team in 14 matches of Croatian Football League season 2018/2019 were used for this study. The activities of the players were monitored using GPS technology (Catapult S5 and X4 devices, Melbourne, Australia) with a sampling frequency of 10 Hz. Total distance covered, distance in different speed categories, total and high intensity accelerations and decelerations were analyzed for players in five different playing positions: central defenders (n=26), full-backs (n=24), midfielders (n=33), wingers (n=10), and forwards (n=8). Additionally, playing positions were compared by InStat index, regular performance indicator which is calculated on the basis of unique set of key parameters for each position (12 to 14 factors). Average total distance covered during match was 10.3 km, with forwards covering largest (11.2 km) and central backs covering smallest average distance (9.8 km). Playing positions differed significantly in high intensity running (F-test=20.43 and 19.17, p < 0.01 for 20-25 km/h and >25km/h, respectively). The side positions (wingers and full-backs) covered highest-, while central defenders covered lowest-average distance (901, 760, and 376 m, respectively). The wingers had highest number of high intensity accelerations and decelerations (>3 m/s2 ; F-test=11.26 and 17.41, p<0.01, respectively). Central defenders had largest number of average accelerations and decelerations (>0.5 m/s2 ; F-test=11.26, and 17.4, p<0.01, respectively). InStat index was not correlated with data obtained by GPS measurement. Results from this study indicate that running demands differ depending on playing positions so these findings should be applied in creating training plan and program. Future studies should evaluate data from multiple teams for getting more applicable findings.

running performance, football, accelerations, decelerations.

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