Effects of match period and playing position on the individual and collective dynamics in professional soccer: a case study

This study aimed to compare the width, the length, the length per width ratio, and the stretch index between the first and the second halves in official soccer matches, and to compare the spatial exploration index between players from different positions. Seventeen professional soccer players from a Brazilian club participated in the study and were monitored during six official matches by a GPS device. Collective positional data were compared between the two halves using a paired t-test, while the spatial exploration index was compared between the playing positions and within the halves by a mixed two-way ANOVA. The results revealed no differences between the two halves for the collective variables. The highest values of spatial exploration index were reported for central midfielders and wing forwards. We conclude that the tactical behavior of professional soccer players is position-dependent, and midfielders are the most exploratory players on the pitch.Resumo Este estudo comparou a largura, profundidade, raz ão entre profundidade largura e o índice de alongamento entre o primeiro e o segundo tempo de jogos oficiais de futebol, e o índice de exploração espacial entre jogadores de diferentes posições. Dezessete jogadores profissionais de futebol de um clube brasileiro participaram deste estudo e fo ram monitorados por um equipamento de GPS durante seis partidas oficiais do campeonato regional. Utilizou-se o teste t-pareado para comparar os dados coletivos entre os temp...
Source: Revista Brasileira de Cineantropometria e Desempenho Humano - Category: Sports Medicine Source Type: research