The physical demands of the match according to playing positions in a South African Premier Soccer League team.

BACKGROUND

Evidence indicates that international soccer players cover a total distance of between eight and 14 km in a match. Approximately 80 - 90% of this distance constitutes low-intensity actions, and about 10 - 20% is high-intensity. These data are influenced by playing position, formation, league standard, and national differences in different countries.

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the physical demands of competitive matches on the different playing positions in a South African Premier Soccer League team.

METHODS

A descriptive study design included 21 players on the same team. Data were collected over 23 official matches during the 2019/2020 season using PlayerTek GPS devices (10Hz). The data collected included total distance covered, high-intensity running distance, power plays, top-end speed, and distance per minute.

RESULTS

Statistical differences were evident only in the high-intensity running distance and power plays. The centre-forwards (p<0.001), attacking central midfielders (p=0.006), and full-backs (p=0.01) covered the most high-intensity running distance (p<0.001) than centre-backs. The attacking central midfielders and centre-forwards recorded more power plays than the centre-backs. Total distance (p=0.01), power plays (p=0.004) and distance per minute (p=0.001) were lower in the second half than in the first half of the match.

CONCLUSION

Centre-forwards performed more high-intensity actions, whereas the centre-backs sprinted less than all the other positions. These data provide insight into the positional differences that exist and could help coaches to prescribe position-specific training programmes.