The influence of opponent level on professional soccer players’ training and match performance assessed by using wearable sensor technology

Abstract

Purpose. The study aim was 2-fold: to quantify and compare the weekly external training load that preceded matches; to compare in-match activities depending on the opponent level (top, middle, bottom) in a top-level team from the first professional Asian national league. Methods. The load for 6 matches played against top-, 11 against middle-, and 11 against bottom-level teams was monitored. With a 15-Hz Global Positioning System, total duration, total distance, high-speed (18–23 km ∙ h–1) running distance, sprint (> 23 km ∙ h–1) distance, maximal speed, acceleration zone 1 (AccZ1) (< 2 m ∙ s–2), AccZ2 (2–4 m ∙ s–2), AccZ3 (> 4 m ∙ s–2), deceleration zone 1 (DecZ1) (> –2 m ∙ s–2), DecZ2 (–2 to –4 m ∙ s–2), DecZ3 (< –4 m ∙ s–2), player load, and metabolic power were collected in 12 players. Results. DecZ3 showed higher values against top-level compared with middle-(effect size [ES] = 0.91) and bottom-level opponents (ES = 1.50). The training was significantly longer against middle-level compared with top-and bottom-level opponents (all, p 0.001). Total distance was bigger against middle-level compared with top-(p = 0.011, ES = –0.92) and bottom-level opponents (p = 0.027, ES = 1.50). AccZ2 presented higher values when middle-level came close compared with bottom-level opponents (p = 0.05, ES = 0.79). Conclusions. Opponent’s level inf luences the load experienced by soccer players during matches. Total distance, high-speed running distance, AccZ1, and AccZ2 exhibited higher training values when a win or a draw approached. Decelerations in all zones were highest in matches against top-level teams.