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Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(06): 526-532
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1327660
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Match Performance Comparison in Top English Soccer Leagues

V. Di Salvo
1   Department of Health Sciences, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
2   Aspire Academy/Qatar Football Association, Doha, Qatar
,
F. Pigozzi
1   Department of Health Sciences, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
,
C. González-Haro
3   Farmacology and Physiology, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
,
M. S. Laughlin
4   Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, United States
,
J. K. De Witt
4   Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, Houston, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 07 September 2012

Publication Date:
26 November 2012 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare motions of soccer players in the English Premier (1st) and Championship (2nd) League. A total of 26 449 observations were obtained from players during 4 seasons (2006–2010) in the 2 leagues. Time-motions of all players (attackers, central defenders, central midfielders, wide defenders, wide midfielders) were recorded during each match using the Prozone® System, (Leeds, UK), and categorized by speed intensity. Number of actions, total distance and the mean distance covered at each speed intensity were measured. Players in the Championship league covered a total match distance of 11.1±0.9 km compared with 10.8±1.0 km for players from the Premiership (p<0.001). Championship players also covered greater distances during jogging, running, high-speed running, and sprinting. Premiership players covered more distance walking. Players in the Soccer League Championship had more instances of each condition. Although these differences were statistically significant, they were negligible in practical terms, suggesting match-related activities do not explain the general superiority of Premiership players over Championship players in England.

Key words

soccer - leagues comparison - player position - match analysis - physical performance - specific training
 

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