Analyzing Speed Dynamics in Soccer Matches
Author Information
Author(s): Hugo Silva, Fábio Yuzo Nakamura, Ghazi Racil, Antonio Gómez-Diaz, Pedro Menezes, Karim Chamari, Rui Marcelino
Primary Institution: University of Maia, Maia, Portugal
Hypothesis
How do players reach and leave their peak match speed during soccer matches?
Conclusion
Players accelerate to their peak speed from flying starts and decelerate faster than they accelerate after reaching peak speed.
Supporting Evidence
- Match peak speeds ranged from 29.11 km/h to 31.64 km/h.
- Speed increased moderately 4 seconds before the peak speed and decreased moderately 3 seconds after.
- Players can benefit from training that mimics match conditions.
Takeaway
In soccer, players run really fast during matches, but they start speeding up from a jog instead of a standstill, and they slow down quickly after reaching their top speed.
Methodology
Twenty elite soccer players were monitored using GNSS devices during six matches, collecting speed data at 0.1-second intervals before and after peak speeds.
Limitations
The study only included one team and did not analyze contextual factors like match location or outcome.
Participant Demographics
Twenty male elite soccer players with an average age of 27.8 years.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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