Relationship between aerobic performance and match running performance in elite soccer players including playing...

This study aimed to examine the association between aerobic performance (AP) and match running performance (MRP) in elite soccer players when statistically controlling for playing position and contextual factors. AP was tested at the beginning of the season, including maximal oxygen uptake ( ${\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2\max }$ ), anaerobic threshold (AnT), maximal aerobic speed (MAS), and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 2 (Yo-Yo IRT2) score. MRP was measured using GPS over a competitive half-season for a total of 216 match performances in elite soccer players, divided into central backs (CBs), full backs (FBs), central midfielders (CMs), wide midfielders (WMs), and strikers. The lowest AP measures were noted among the CBs, while the highest ${\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2\max }$ , AnT, and MAS were recorded among the CMs, CMs and FBs, and FBs, respectively. The CBs had the lowest total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR; 19.8-25.1 km · h^-1) distance, and high-intensity running (HIR; > 19.8 km · h^-1) distance; the CMs recorded the greatest TD; and the FBs and WMs covered the greatest HIR distance. Despite the differences in AP and MRP among the players, AP is correlated with MRP independently of the playing position and contextual factors. Higher AP measures were positively associated with the TD, and higher Yo-Yo IRT2 scores were also positively associated with the HSR and HIR distances. The strongest predictors for TD were ${\dot{\text{V}}\text{O}}_{2\max }$ and AnT. In conclusion, a higher AP, irrespective of playing position, makes it possible to achieve greater MRPs. This study emphasized the value of integrating AP metrics into individualized training and player role management in elite soccer.