Analyzing the impact of prolonged pauses on soccer performance

During breaks or playing period changes, players' accumulated workload, physiological alterations, body composition factors, sleep, and health-related qualities can factor into soccer performance. This research examined the impact of prolonged pauses, including breaks due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup and an earthquake tragedy, on running displacements and ball in-play duration during the 2022/23 Turkish Super League season. The secondary purpose was to determine the relationship between performance metrics and competition outcomes (i.e., wins, losses, or draws). 550 players from 19 Turkish Super League teams were included. Performance metrics such as running speed, accelerations/number of speed actions, total field coverage, and match outcomes (i.e., win, lose, or draw) were analyzed before and after significant pauses in play. We also explored correlations between running speed, number of speed actions, match duration, and total distance covered to understand their influence on soccer performance. Significant differences existed in performance metrics between periods, with higher total displacement and running observed after the World Cup (p < 0.05). Additionally, teams exhibiting more static behavior during matches were likelier to lose points, while those running at higher speeds (p = 0.007) and acceleration (p = 0.008) had a higher winning probability. The findings provide valuable insights into the factors affecting success or failure in soccer matches and have implications for training and preparation strategies in professional soccer. In addition, findings illustrate how breaks influence performance metrics and highlight the challenges coaches face in maintaining player readiness during unplanned pauses. This suggests minimizing such disruptions to support optimal training and preparation strategies in professional soccer.