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Seasonal Analysis of Match External Load in Hungarian Second-Division Professional Football Across Three Competitive
Richárd Bauer1, Bálint István Ruppert1, Bálint Kilvinger1
1Doctoral School of Regional and Economic Sciences, Széchenyi István University, H-9026 Győr, Hungary.
Background/Objectives:
The aim of this study was to describe seasonal trends in match-average External Load (EL) variables across three (2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25) consecutive competitive seasons in a Hungarian professional second-division soccer team (Gyirmót FC Győr), using the Catapult Vector S7 Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). Specifically, Average Distance (AD; m), Average Player LoadTM (PL; AU), and Acceleration-Deceleration Efforts (>2 m·s-2) (ADE) were examined. The study aimed to provide descriptive reference values and characterize seasonal variation in match EL demands within a professional second-division context.
Methods:
A descriptive seasonal comparison was conducted based exclusively on aggregated match average EL values. The unit of analysis was the match, with each match contributing one aggregated value per variable derived from players who completed the full match. A total of 94 matches were included (2022/23: N = 38; 2023/24: N = 29; 2024/25: N = 27); matches with red cards were excluded. EL data were collected using a 10 Hz Catapult Vector S7 GNSS.
Results:
The median AD decreased continuously from the 2022/23 season (10.210 m) to the 2024/25 season (9.795 m). The median PL decreased from 1002 (2022/23 and 2023/24) to 846 in the 2024/25 season. The median ADE decreased from 220.8 (2022/23) to 199.0 (2024/25).
Conclusions:
Lower values were observed across match EL variables, with the most pronounced reduction in PL. These findings provide descriptive reference values and may support the interpretation of seasonal variation in match EL demands in professional second-division soccer.
