Key Performance Indicators in Elite Female Football: Associations Between Sprints, Duels, and Match Results

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Football Performance Analysis
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Understanding the determinants of success in elite female football is crucial for performance optimization.
• Previous research has explored physical and technical aspects separately, but a holistic view linking them to match outcomes is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare physical, technical, and tactical performance metrics between won and lost matches in elite female football.
• To identify key performance indicators associated with match outcomes in official FIFA competitions.

Main Methods:

• Collected data from 27 elite female players across 34 official matches (2018-2021).
• Utilized 10-Hz GPS for internal and external load metrics (RPE, total distance, high-speed running, player load, sprints, accelerations, decelerations).
• Assessed technical-tactical performance (passes, duels, goals) using InStat software; analyzed data with ANOVA and logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Lost matches exhibited higher perceived exertion, total distance, player load, and decelerations.
• Won matches showed significantly more high-speed running, effective passes, and duels won (P < .05).
• Match outcome was significantly linked to high-speed running, duels won, and goal difference.

Conclusions:

• Match losses correlate with increased physical demands but reduced technical-tactical efficiency.
• Match wins are characterized by higher intensity actions and superior technical-tactical effectiveness, especially in passing and duels.
• In female football, performance success is more dependent on the quality of actions than on overall physical exertion.