A comparative study on the match performance of the Chinese Super League before and after COVID-19

Abstract The study investigated the impact of empty stadium matches and rule changes due to COVID-19 on the match performance in the Chinese Super League (CSL), including both technical and physical performance. Technical indicators considered were passing accuracy, number of passes, and number of c...

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Main Authors: Guangmei Ma, Qi Xie, Lida Du, Rulin Shi, Hongwen Wei
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07284-z
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author Guangmei Ma
Qi Xie
Lida Du
Rulin Shi
Hongwen Wei
author_facet Guangmei Ma
Qi Xie
Lida Du
Rulin Shi
Hongwen Wei
author_sort Guangmei Ma
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The study investigated the impact of empty stadium matches and rule changes due to COVID-19 on the match performance in the Chinese Super League (CSL), including both technical and physical performance. Technical indicators considered were passing accuracy, number of passes, and number of challenges, while physical indicators included total distance, average speed, number of sprints, and sprint distance. Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.001. The results showed that empty stadium matches led to a significant decrease in passing accuracy, while the number of passes and challenges increased. The changes in rules indicated a significant decline in players’ total running distance, average speed, number of sprints, and sprint distance compared to pre-pandemic levels, although the average distance of high-speed runs increased. The pandemic had a more pronounced impact on players’ physical performance. Coaches can use this information to adjust training plans for players during special periods to mitigate adverse effects on physical performance.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-71f07233b4274736ae943d8f0759a7292025-08-20T03:37:22ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511810.1038/s41598-025-07284-zA comparative study on the match performance of the Chinese Super League before and after COVID-19Guangmei Ma0Qi Xie1Lida Du2Rulin Shi3Hongwen Wei4Xinjiang UniversityCollege of Human Movement Science, Beijing Sport UniversityChinese Football AssociationCollege of Physical Education, Qinghai Normal UniversityCollege of Physical Training, Beijing Sport UniversityAbstract The study investigated the impact of empty stadium matches and rule changes due to COVID-19 on the match performance in the Chinese Super League (CSL), including both technical and physical performance. Technical indicators considered were passing accuracy, number of passes, and number of challenges, while physical indicators included total distance, average speed, number of sprints, and sprint distance. Statistical significance was accepted at p < 0.001. The results showed that empty stadium matches led to a significant decrease in passing accuracy, while the number of passes and challenges increased. The changes in rules indicated a significant decline in players’ total running distance, average speed, number of sprints, and sprint distance compared to pre-pandemic levels, although the average distance of high-speed runs increased. The pandemic had a more pronounced impact on players’ physical performance. Coaches can use this information to adjust training plans for players during special periods to mitigate adverse effects on physical performance.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07284-zSoccerFootballHome advantageMatch performance analysisPerformance indicatorsChinese Super League
spellingShingle Guangmei Ma
Qi Xie
Lida Du
Rulin Shi
Hongwen Wei
A comparative study on the match performance of the Chinese Super League before and after COVID-19
Scientific Reports
Soccer
Football
Home advantage
Match performance analysis
Performance indicators
Chinese Super League
title A comparative study on the match performance of the Chinese Super League before and after COVID-19
title_full A comparative study on the match performance of the Chinese Super League before and after COVID-19
title_fullStr A comparative study on the match performance of the Chinese Super League before and after COVID-19
title_full_unstemmed A comparative study on the match performance of the Chinese Super League before and after COVID-19
title_short A comparative study on the match performance of the Chinese Super League before and after COVID-19
title_sort comparative study on the match performance of the chinese super league before and after covid 19
topic Soccer
Football
Home advantage
Match performance analysis
Performance indicators
Chinese Super League
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07284-z
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