Abstract
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Abstract
The aim of the study was to compare running performance of three competitive standards
and to examine the effects of being promoted to a higher league in Norwegian football.
One clubʼs first and second team were included. The first team consisted of professional
soccer players playing at Level 2 (2015 season) and Level 1 (2016 season). The second
team consisted of amateurs playing at Level 4. A fully automatic tracking system was
used to examine running performance, divided into different running-speed categories
and playing position. Forty-one matches were included containing 278 observations.
Level 1 performed 61 and 51% sprinting compared to Level 2 and Level 4 but similar
high-speed running. Similar high-speed running distances were observed only for the
different playing positions at Level 1 compared to Level 2 and 4. The sprinting distance
was greater for the central defender and attacker, and the number of accelerations
was greater for central midfielders and wide midfielders’ playing at Level 1 compared
to lower competitive standards. In conclusion, better competitive standards resulted
in greater high-intensity actions than lower leagues in Norwegian soccer. Furthermore,
only central defenders and attackers increased their high-intensity locomotions when
the team was promoted.
Key words
tracking -
performance -
high-speed running -
sprinting -
playing positions
Description
This study compares running performance across different competitive standards in Norwegian soccer.