Can different scores in first and second halves influence running and explosive-based measures?

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Soccer Performance Analysis

Background:

• Player performance in elite soccer is influenced by various in-game factors.
• Understanding physical output differences between match halves is crucial for optimizing training and strategy.
• Previous research has not fully explored the interaction between match score and half-specific physical performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how different match score situations (e.g., WIN-WIN, LOSS-DRAW) in the first and second halves affect elite male soccer players' running and explosive performance.
• To analyze the impact of match progression on key physical performance indicators.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-three elite male soccer players from an English Premier League team were monitored over two seasons.
• Global Positioning System (GPS) data at 18 Hz was used to collect physical performance metrics.
• Matches were categorized by scoreline at the end of each half and divided into nine distinct score phases.

Main Results:

• A main effect for half was observed, with greater distances covered per minute and more explosive actions per minute in the first half compared to the second.
• Significant interaction effects between match half and score phase were found for several key variables, including meters per minute and high metabolic load distance per minute.
• Performance decrements in the second half were particularly notable during specific score phases like WIN-WIN, WIN-DRAW, DRAW-WIN, DRAW-DRAW, LOSE-WIN, and LOSE-LOSE.

Conclusions:

• Physical performance, including running and explosive actions, declines in the second half of elite soccer matches.
• The impact of this decline is modulated by the specific scoreline situation of the match.
• These findings underscore the importance of considering both match half and score phase for developing targeted training programs and tactical approaches to maintain optimal player performance throughout a game.