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Speed synchronization, physical workload and match-to-match performance variation of elite football players

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  • Bruno Gonçalves
  • Diogo Coutinho
  • Bruno Travassos
  • Hugo Folgado
  • Pedro Caixinha
  • Jaime Sampaio

Abstract

This study aimed to: (i) examine whether the speed synchronization and physical performance of an elite football team changed between the first and the second half, using match time blocks of 15-min, and (ii) explore the match-to-match variation of players’ speed synchronization performance. Twenty-eight outfield elite footballers participated in 51 official matches. Positional data were gathered and used to calculate the total distance covered as a physical workload indicator. For all the outfield teammate dyad combinations (45 pairs), it was processed the percentage of time that players’ speed was synchronized during walking, jogging and running using relative phase (Hilbert Transform). Also, the match-to-match variation of the players’ speed synchronization, expressed in coefficient of variation was computed. The differences in the total distance covered from all players within the different match’s time block periods revealed a moderate decrease in the distance covered in the last 15-min of the match compared to the first 15-min (-6.5; ±1.07%, most likely: change in means with 95% confidence limits). However, when compared the last minutes from both halves a small increase was observed (2.7; ±1.2%, likely) from first to second half. The synchronization of the players’ speed displacements revealed small to moderate decreases in the % of synchronization in the second half periods for the jogging and running speed, while the opposite was found for the walking speed (~13 to 24% more, most likely). The playing position analysis for the walking zone showed similar trends between the groups, with small to moderate higher values in the second half, with the exception of [30’-45’] vs [75’-90’] in the midfielder’s dyads and in [15’-30’] vs [60’-75’] match periods for forwards. Similar trend was found during the running speed, in which small to moderate higher synchronization was found during the first half periods, with the exception of [15’-30’] vs [60’-75’] and [30’-45’] vs [75’-90’] in midfielder’s dyads. Regarding to the match-to-match variation of the players’ speed synchronization, overall results showed small to moderate increases in coefficient of variation during jogging and running displacements from the beginning to the end of the match (32.1; ±13.2% increase in jogging and 26.2; ±10.5% in running, both comparisons most likely). The higher distance covered during most of the first half periods and the higher dyadic synchronization at high speeds might have limited players’ performance in the second half. In addition, the decrease trend in speed synchronization during the second half periods might have resulted from accumulated muscular and mental fatigue towards the match. Within, the match-to-match variation in tactical-related variables increased across the match duration, with especial focus in the midfielder dyads. Dyadic speed synchronization might provide relevant information concerning the individual and collective performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Bruno Gonçalves & Diogo Coutinho & Bruno Travassos & Hugo Folgado & Pedro Caixinha & Jaime Sampaio, 2018. "Speed synchronization, physical workload and match-to-match performance variation of elite football players," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(7), pages 1-16, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0200019
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200019
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bruno Gonçalves & Diogo Coutinho & Sara Santos & Carlos Lago-Penas & Sergio Jiménez & Jaime Sampaio, 2017. "Exploring Team Passing Networks and Player Movement Dynamics in Youth Association Football," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(1), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Angel Ric & Carlota Torrents & Bruno Gonçalves & Lorena Torres-Ronda & Jaime Sampaio & Robert Hristovski, 2017. "Dynamics of tactical behaviour in association football when manipulating players' space of interaction," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(7), pages 1-16, July.
    3. Bruno Travassos & Keith Davids & Duarte Araújo & T. Pedro Esteves, 2013. "Performance analysis in team sports: Advances from an Ecological Dynamics approach," International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 13(1), pages 83-95, April.
    4. Hugo Folgado & Ricardo Duarte & Orlando Fernandes & Jaime Sampaio, 2014. "Competing with Lower Level Opponents Decreases Intra-Team Movement Synchronization and Time-Motion Demands during Pre-Season Soccer Matches," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(5), pages 1-9, May.
    5. Pedro Silva & Bruno Travassos & Luís Vilar & Paulo Aguiar & Keith Davids & Duarte Araújo & Júlio Garganta, 2014. "Numerical Relations and Skill Level Constrain Co-Adaptive Behaviors of Agents in Sports Teams," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(9), pages 1-12, September.
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    1. Bruno Gonçalves & Diogo Coutinho & Juliana Exel & Bruno Travassos & Carlos Lago & Jaime Sampaio, 2019. "Extracting spatial-temporal features that describe a team match demands when considering the effects of the quality of opposition in elite football," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(8), pages 1-20, August.
    2. Marcelino, Rui & Sampaio, Jaime & Amichay, Guy & Gonçalves, Bruno & Couzin, Iain D. & Nagy, Máté, 2020. "Collective movement analysis reveals coordination tactics of team players in football matches," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).

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