The Evolution of Match Running Performance in the Top Two Spanish Soccer Leagues: A Comparative Four-Season Study
<b>Objectives</b>: This study uniquely examines the evolution of match running performance in official matches over four consecutive seasons (2019/2020–2022/23) within Spain’s top two professional soccer leagues (LaLiga). By analyzing differences between competitive league standards (Fir...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/27 |
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| author | Tomás García-Calvo David Lobo-Triviño Javier Raya-González Roberto López del Campo Ricardo Resta Eduard Pons José Carlos Ponce-Bordón |
| author_facet | Tomás García-Calvo David Lobo-Triviño Javier Raya-González Roberto López del Campo Ricardo Resta Eduard Pons José Carlos Ponce-Bordón |
| author_sort | Tomás García-Calvo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <b>Objectives</b>: This study uniquely examines the evolution of match running performance in official matches over four consecutive seasons (2019/2020–2022/23) within Spain’s top two professional soccer leagues (LaLiga). By analyzing differences between competitive league standards (First Division vs. Second Division), this research provides critical insights into how competition levels influence physical performance trends over time. <b>Methods</b>: A total of 6784 match observations were recorded from 95 teams competing in the First and Second Divisions (LaLiga). Performance metrics included total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR, >21 km·h<sup>−1</sup>), very high-speed running (VHSR, 21.1–24 km·h<sup>−1</sup>), sprint distance (Sprint, >24 km·h<sup>−1</sup>), the number of HSR efforts (Nº. Sprints > 21 km·h<sup>−1</sup>), and sprint efforts (Nº. Sprints > 24 km·h<sup>−1</sup>), all analyzed using a computerized tracking system (TRACAB, ChyronHego, New York, NY, USA). <b>Results</b>: The primary findings indicated significantly higher match running performance in First Division matches compared to Second Division matches across all variables (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Furthermore, match running performance significantly increased over the four seasons in both leagues, with notably higher values during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons for all physical performance metrics (<i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions</b>: This study contributes to understanding the temporal evolution of soccer match performance across competition levels. The findings emphasize the importance of periodic performance monitoring and adapting training loads increasing high-intensity distances to align with escalating physical demands in modern soccer, offering valuable guidance for coaches and performance analysts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-61b71f427d894d61b0843b9239ba6bf5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2411-5142 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-61b71f427d894d61b0843b9239ba6bf52025-08-20T01:49:00ZengMDPI AGJournal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology2411-51422025-01-011012710.3390/jfmk10010027The Evolution of Match Running Performance in the Top Two Spanish Soccer Leagues: A Comparative Four-Season StudyTomás García-Calvo0David Lobo-Triviño1Javier Raya-González2Roberto López del Campo3Ricardo Resta4Eduard Pons5José Carlos Ponce-Bordón6Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, SpainFaculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, SpainResearch Group on Sport and Physical Education for Personal and Social Development, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, University of Cordoba, 14071 Cordoba, SpainDepartment of Competitions and Mediacoach, LaLiga, 28043 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Competitions and Mediacoach, LaLiga, 28043 Madrid, SpainSport Performance Area, FC Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, SpainFaculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain<b>Objectives</b>: This study uniquely examines the evolution of match running performance in official matches over four consecutive seasons (2019/2020–2022/23) within Spain’s top two professional soccer leagues (LaLiga). By analyzing differences between competitive league standards (First Division vs. Second Division), this research provides critical insights into how competition levels influence physical performance trends over time. <b>Methods</b>: A total of 6784 match observations were recorded from 95 teams competing in the First and Second Divisions (LaLiga). Performance metrics included total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR, >21 km·h<sup>−1</sup>), very high-speed running (VHSR, 21.1–24 km·h<sup>−1</sup>), sprint distance (Sprint, >24 km·h<sup>−1</sup>), the number of HSR efforts (Nº. Sprints > 21 km·h<sup>−1</sup>), and sprint efforts (Nº. Sprints > 24 km·h<sup>−1</sup>), all analyzed using a computerized tracking system (TRACAB, ChyronHego, New York, NY, USA). <b>Results</b>: The primary findings indicated significantly higher match running performance in First Division matches compared to Second Division matches across all variables (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Furthermore, match running performance significantly increased over the four seasons in both leagues, with notably higher values during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons for all physical performance metrics (<i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions</b>: This study contributes to understanding the temporal evolution of soccer match performance across competition levels. The findings emphasize the importance of periodic performance monitoring and adapting training loads increasing high-intensity distances to align with escalating physical demands in modern soccer, offering valuable guidance for coaches and performance analysts.https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/27footballphysical demandsmatch analysislongitudinalsprinting |
| spellingShingle | Tomás García-Calvo David Lobo-Triviño Javier Raya-González Roberto López del Campo Ricardo Resta Eduard Pons José Carlos Ponce-Bordón The Evolution of Match Running Performance in the Top Two Spanish Soccer Leagues: A Comparative Four-Season Study Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology football physical demands match analysis longitudinal sprinting |
| title | The Evolution of Match Running Performance in the Top Two Spanish Soccer Leagues: A Comparative Four-Season Study |
| title_full | The Evolution of Match Running Performance in the Top Two Spanish Soccer Leagues: A Comparative Four-Season Study |
| title_fullStr | The Evolution of Match Running Performance in the Top Two Spanish Soccer Leagues: A Comparative Four-Season Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Evolution of Match Running Performance in the Top Two Spanish Soccer Leagues: A Comparative Four-Season Study |
| title_short | The Evolution of Match Running Performance in the Top Two Spanish Soccer Leagues: A Comparative Four-Season Study |
| title_sort | evolution of match running performance in the top two spanish soccer leagues a comparative four season study |
| topic | football physical demands match analysis longitudinal sprinting |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2411-5142/10/1/27 |
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