Andrzejewski Et Al. (2012)

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Publish Ahead of Print
DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0b013e318279423e
ANALYSIS OF SPRINTING ACTIVITIES OF PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYERS
Marcin Andrzejewski1,3, Jan Chmura2, Beata Pluta1, Ryszard Strzelczyk4, Andrzej Kasprzak3
1
Faculty of Methodology and Recreation, University School of Physical Education, Poznan,
ul. Rybaki 19 61-884 Poznan, Poland
2
Faculty of Players' Motor Activity, University School of Physical Education, Wrocaw, ul.
Paderewskiego 35 51-612 Wrocaw, Poland
3
KKS Lech Pozna S.A. Football Club, Pozna, ul. Bugarska 5/7 60-320 Pozna
4
Faculty of Theory of Sport, University School of Physical Education, Poznan, ul. Krlowej
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Jadwigi 27/39 61-871 Poznan, Poland
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Running head: sprint distances covered by soccer players
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Copyright National Strength and Conditioning Association Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Analysis of sprinting activities of professional soccer players
1 ABSTRACT
2 The aim of the study was a detailed analysis of the sprinting activity of professional soccer
3 players. The study involved 147 players who played in 10 matches of the 2008-2009 and 2010-
4 2011 UEFA Europa League seasons. The number of performed sprints and total sprint distances
5 covered by the players were examined using collected statistical material. Two types of sprints
6 were distinguished based on their duration: S - short duration sprint (below 5 s) and L - long
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7 duration sprint (above 5 s). Additionally, sprints were classified according to their distance: 0-10
8 m, 10.1-20.0 m, and > 20 m, respectively. The analysis of the sprinting activity of soccer players
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9 also involved their respective positions of play. The study was carried out using Amisco Pro
10 (ver. 1.0.2, Nice, France), one of most comprehensive, up-to-date computer systems for match
11 analysis.
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12 The statistical analysis revealed that the mean total sprint distance covered by players (
13 24 km h-1) amounted to 237 123 m. With regard to the position of play, the forwards covered
14 the longest sprint distance (345 129 m), i.e. 9% longer than midfielders (313 119 m), and
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15 over 100% longer than central midfielders (167 87 m). The average number of sprints
16 performed by the soccer players was 11.2 5.3. It should also be emphasized that about 90% of
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17 sprints performed by professional soccer players were shorter than 5 s, while only 10% were
18 longer than 5 s. Analysis of physical loads of soccer players during matches can be useful for
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19 individualization of training of soccer players speed capabilities. It is an essential instrument of
20 modern planning and application of training loads.
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22 Key Words: match analysis, playing positions, sprint types, individualization.
1 INTRODUCTION
3 Modern association football imposes on players more and more demanding requirements
4 related to their pre-competitive training. The preparation of soccer players before the competitive
5 season affects to a great extent the practical implementation of players tactical and technical
6 skills during matches. The proper selection of training strategies and technologies in players
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7 preparation is only possible when the structure and character of players match effort and the
8 energy costs of particular motor activities are well known (4, 17, 22, 28, 31, 40). The lack of such
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9 information prevents any application of soccer-specific loads of optimal character, volume and
10 intensity in order to develop soccer-specific motor abilities. Only game-specific loads have a
11 positive effect on structural and functional changes in the players body and ensure the
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12 development of sport-specific motor skills (8).
13 Match analyses show that elite soccer players cover an average distance of between 9 and
14 14 km and vary their running pace between 1.4 and 10 m/s, 800 to 1000 times during a match (9,
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15 11, 23, 35). The distance covered during a match depends on the players training experience,
16 fitness and position of play (3, 10, 18, 28, 31). Soccer is a non-cyclical and intermittent sport in
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17 which short-duration maximum-intensity activities, e.g. sprint runs over a distance of 10-20 m,
18 and high-intensity actions such as counterattacks, are intertwined with activities of low and
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19 moderate intensity (marching, jogging) and with pauses, e.g. standing (10, 18, 28, 32).
20 During the overall soccer match effort (90 min), a players energy is produced by aerobic
21 processes, while during high-intensity and maximum-intensity match phases it is produced by
22 anaerobic processes (23). Thus, soccer players make use of all energy sources involved in ATP
23 re-synthesis. Bangsbo (8) shows that more than 90% of a soccer players energy during a match
1 comes from aerobic processes which supply the energy to run at low and moderate speeds as
2 well as to pay off oxygen debt run up during match phases of high and maximal intensity.
3 The total distance covered by soccer players during a match is a fairly superficial method
4 of game assessment (37). A comprehensive game analysis must account for the number and
5 frequency of sprint runs and other activities of maximal and sub-maximal intensity performed by
6 players. Running around the pitch at such levels of intensity requires the highest energy
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7 expenditure, and thus, from the standpoint of physiological and motor assessment, is highly
8 significant in modern soccer (14).
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9 Sprinting is one of the most important activities in soccer, although it merely constitutes
10 between 1 and 12% of the mean total distance covered by a player during a match, i.e. from only
11 0.5 do 3% of playing time (37, 42, 45). During a competitive game, players perform 2-4 s long
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12 sprint runs, every 90-180 s on average. It is assumed that players of higher ability cover longer
13 sprinting distances with higher intensity (27). With regard to the players position of play,
14 training experience and use of various methods of monitoring and classification of particular
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15 distances in individual phases of intensity, the average sprinting distance covered during a match
16 is between 200 and 1,200 m (10, 28, 31, 33).

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17 For several years, different authors have studied the sprinting activity of soccer players
18 using statistical data from national league games, e.g. English (12, 13, 19), Italian (28) and
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19 Spanish (18), as well as combined data from league competitions and cup playoffs (18, 28, 31).
20 Di Salvo et al. (20) carried out a comprehensive sprinting analysis of soccer players during the
21 European Champions League and UEFA Cup (now Europa League) competitions. However, no
22 comprehensive independent research has been conducted on sprinting activities of soccer players
23 during UEFA Cup matches only.
1 The aim of this study was a detailed analysis of sprinting activities of professional soccer
2 players during UEFA Cup matches with regard to their position of play and sprint duration.
4 METHODS
5 Experimental Approach to the Problem
6 The authors assumed that the application of the Amisco Pro computerized tracking
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7 system enabled an objective analysis of sprinting performance and total sprinting distance
8 covered by professional soccer players. It is argued that the players position on the pitch affects
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9 the duration of performed sprint runs and the length of sprinting distance covered during a match.
10 Statistically significant differences were assumed to exist between the players position and the
11 following variables: total sprinting distance, total number of performed sprint runs, and the
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12 number of sprint runs in particular ranges according to sprinting distance and duration.
13 Subjects
14 Ten European Football Association (UEFA) Cup matches from the 2008-2009 and 2010-
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15 2011 seasons were examined. The analysis involved the activities of 147 players participating in
16 entire matches, excluding the goalkeepers. Each outfield player was assigned to one of five
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17 positional groups: central defenders (CD, n = 39), external defenders (ED, n = 35), central
18 midfield players (CM, n = 35), external midfield players (EM, n = 20), and forwards (F, n = 18).
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19 The profile of different playing positions was based on players activities on the pitch and the
20 primary area in which these activities were carried out, as in Di Salvo et al. (18). Five of the
21 examined matches ended in a draw, the home team won in three matches, whereas the visiting
22 team won in two.
1 The authors received written consent from the authorities of the KKS Lech Poznan
2 football club to use statistical data provided by the club. The players were informed about all
3 experimental procedures and informed consent was obtained from them to participate in the
4 study. To ensure club and players confidentiality, all performance data were anonymous. The
5 study was conducted in compliance with the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the
6 local ethics committee (No. 339/02). The study protocol was also approved by the Board of
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7 Ethics of The University School of Physical Education in Poznan.
8 Procedures
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9 The physical performance of players during the matches was examined using a computerized,
10 semi-automated, multi-camera tracking system (Amisco Pro ver. 1.0.2, Nice, France).
11 Movements of all 20 outfield players from two competing teams were recorded during the game
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12 by eight fixed, synchronized cameras with a frame rate of 25 Hz, positioned at the top of the
13 Municipal Stadium in Pozna, Poland, (3). Signals and angles registered by the cameras were
14 sequentially converted into digital data and stored on six computers for post-match analysis.
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15 Zubillaga et al. (46) have recently evaluated the reliability and validity of Amisco Pro for
16 quantifying displacement velocities during match-related activities relative to data obtained using
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17 timing gates.
18 For the purpose of the study, only players sprinting activity was analyzed. Data on the
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19 covered sprinting distances, time spent performing sprint runs of different duration and distance
20 category, and frequency of occurrence of each activity for players in different positions were
21 obtained with the aid of specially developed software (Athletic Mode, Amisco Pro, Nice,
22 France). Due to its technical specifications, the Amisco Pro System allowed registration of
23 players activities as sprint runs at the speed of 24km h-1 that were no shorter than 1 s. The total
1 number of sprints, total sprint distance covered, as well as the percentage of each sprint type were
2 assessed. As far as sprint duration was concerned, two types of sprints were distinguished: S -
3 short duration sprint (below 5 s) and L - long duration sprint (above 5 s). In addition, these sprints
4 were classified by distance category: 010 m, 10.120.0 m, and > 20 m.
5 Statistical Analyses
6 All parameters were checked for their conformity to normal distribution. The conformity
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7 assessment was carried out with the Lilliefors test (p < 0.01). For all the parameters, the
8 following descriptive statistics were calculated: arithmetic means, medians, interquartile ranges,
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9 and standard deviations, in order to assess the total sprinting distance and the number of sprint
10 runs in terms of their distance and duration, performed by players in different positions on the
11 pitch (Fig. 1, 2)
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12 Multi-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare players positions and
13 sprint categories in terms of covered distance and duration. Tukeys HSD was used for the
14 analysis of significant differences between mean values. The significance of differences between
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15 mean total sprinting distance and number of performed sprints was checked with the Kruskal-
16 Wallis one-way ANOVA. In the case of significant differences between mean values, the post-
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17 hoc test for multiple comparisons was used.
18 The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The number of sprint runs by distance
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19 category (010 m, 10.120.0 m, and > 20 m) performed by players in five different positional
20 groups on the pitch followed a pattern of conformity; however, the absolute intra-class
21 correlation was not high (rICC = 0.5917). The analysis of the number of sprints performed by
22 players in five different positional groups (CD, ED, CM, EM, F) during the match with regard to
23 sprint duration (0-5 s and > 5.01 s) showed, however, weak conformity with the absolute intra-
1 class correlation of rICC = 0.3502. All statistical calculations were made using the STATISTICA
2 9.1. software package.
3 RESULTS
4 Total sprint distance
5 The statistical analysis revealed that the mean total sprint distance ( 24 km h-1) covered
6 by all examined players (n = 147) amounted to 237 123 m. Statistically significant differences
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7 were found between all players positional groups (p < 0.05), in particular, between the forwards,
8 external midfielders and external defenders as well as between central defenders and central
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9 midfielders (p < 0.05).
10 As far as players positions of play were concerned, the longest sprint distance was
11 covered by the forwards 345 29 m, followed by external midfielders (314 123 m), external
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12 defenders (265 121 m) and central defenders (186 82 m). The lowest total mean sprint
13 distance was covered by the central midfielders (167 87 m) (Fig. 1).
14 (Figure 1 about here)

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15 Total number of sprints
16 The total number of sprints performed by all players (n = 147) was 11.2 5.3 sprints per
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17 match. Statistically significant differences in terms of total numbers of performed sprints were
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18 noted between positions of play (p < 0.05), i.e. between the forwards, external midfielders,
19 central defenders and central midfielders (p < 0.05) (Tab. 1).
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21 Number of sprints by sprint duration categories: short duration sprint (S) and long duration
22 sprint (L)
1 With regard to the total number of short duration sprints (S), statistically significant
2 differences were found between all positions of play (p < 0.05). The forwards and external
3 midfielders performed a far greater number of short duration sprints, (S) statistically, than central
4 midfielders and central defenders (p < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences
5 between all positions of play as far as long duration sprints were concerned (L) (p < 0.05). The
6 external defenders ran the highest number of long duration sprints (L), and only differed
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7 significantly from the central midfielders, who performed fewest sprints (L) (p < 0.05) (Tab. 1).
8 The ratio between the numbers of short duration sprints (S) and long duration sprints (L)
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9 displayed no significant differences (p 0.05) between the positions of play, with the exception
10 of external defenders vs. central midfielders (p > 0.05).
11 (Table 1 about here)

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12 Number of sprints by distance categories
13 Figure 2 presents the positional differences for each of the three sprinting distance
14 categories: 0 10 m, 10.1 20.0 m, and > 20 m. In the 010 m category, the highest number of
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15 sprints was performed by external defenders and external midfielders (0.9 1.0). There were no
16 statistically significant differences between players positions on the pitch. In the 10.120.0 m
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17 category, central defenders and central midfielders performed fewer sprints (3.9 2.5 and 4.5
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18 2.6, respectively) than external midfielders 7.1 2.4 and forwards 7.8 2.9; (p < 0.05). In the
19 category of sprints longer than 20 m, most sprints were performed by the forwards (7.4 3.7) and
20 external midfielders (6.9 3.2) vs. central midfielders (3.4 2.5) and central defenders (4.1
21 1.9), while the external defenders (5.5 2.7) ran significantly more sprints than central
22 midfielders (p < 0.05) (Fig. 2).
23 (Figure 2 about here)
1 The percentage distribution of the total number of sprints run by all studied soccer players
2 (n = 147) in the three distance categories was: 7% 9% for distances between 0 and 10 m, 48%
3 16% for distances between 10.1 and 20.0 m, and 45% 17% for distances longer than 20 m.
4 DISCUSSION
5 For the last few decades there has been an increasing research interest in match analysis in
6 association football (2, 3, 7, 10, 18, 20, 21, 39, 41). Match analysis data describing physical,
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7 technical and tactical parameters allow soccer coaches to identify positive and negative aspects of
8 preparation of the team as well as individual players. Match analysis also provides important
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9 information about the physiological requirements of soccer players during real competition.
10 Thanks to such data, comprehensive training plans can be devised for individual players in
11 relation to their respective positions on the pitch.

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12 In recent years, time-motion analysis for assessment of players physical (motor)
13 parameters has gained significance in game monitoring processes. Studies have revealed that
14 some of the most important activities of players during a match are those of maximal intensity
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15 (12, 16, 20). The present study aimed to assess the sprinting activity of elite soccer players
16 participating in the UEFA Cup competition, with regard to their position of play.
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17 The obtained results show that the mean total sprinting distance ( 24 km h-1) covered by
18 147 professional players was 237 m ( 123 m), regardless of their position on the pitch. These
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19 results correspond to those of other authors (10, 12, 20), who carried out their studies with the aid
20 of various match analysis techniques for assessment of players at different levels of competitive
21 experience. Authors who have used the Amisco Pro computerized match analysis system include
22 Di Salvo et al. (18), Delall et al. (16), Lago et al. (25) and Andrzejewski et al. (3). In their studies
23 the total sprinting distances covered by examined players amounted to 271 137 m, 237 74 m,
1 275 101 m and 255 138 m, respectively, i.e. similar to the results of the present study (Fig.
2 1).
3 The analysis of sprinting distances covered by players with regard to their positions of
4 play during the matches revealed that the forwards, external midfielders and external defenders
5 covered statistically longer sprinting distances than the central defenders and central midfielders.
6 These results are similar to Lago et al. (25).
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7 The total number of performed sprints is another parameter of maximal intensity activity
8 performed by players during a soccer match (21, 41, 45). The kinematic analysis of ten UEFA
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9 Cup matches showed that the mean number of sprint runs performed by examined players
10 amounted to 11.2 5.3 sprint runs per match. This is similar to the findings of Rey et al. (36)
11 who recorded 12.5 3.7 sprints per match in their study of players from the Spanish Soccer
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12 League. The analysis of the number of sprints per match with regard to players positions on the
13 pitch shows that the highest sprinting activity was characteristic of the forwards (15.9 5.1), who
14 ran almost twice as many sprints per game as central midfielders and central defenders. The same
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15 observations were made by Di Salvo et al. (18) in their match analysis with the use of Amisco
16 Pro, who also revealed that the fewest sprints were performed by central midfielders and central
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17 defenders.
18 In the present study, sprint runs were analyzed with regard to their duration. Amisco Pro
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19 enables an analysis of short duration sprints (S) and long duration sprints (L). It is interesting that
20 no significant differences were found between the number of short and long duration sprints
21 performed by elite players participating in UEFA Cup matches with regard to their position of
22 play. The results show clearly that about 90% of all sprinting activities of professional soccer
23 players were shorter than 5 s (S), and that only 10% were longer than 5 s. The greatest number of
1 long duration sprints (L) was performed by the external defenders. This is certainly indicative of
2 the growing intensity of defensive play in soccer as well as the frequently used match play
3 system which relies heavily on wingers and their tactical tasks both in attack and defense.
4 One of the most significant problems in speed training practice is choosing the right
5 proportions between training load duration and rest. The proportion should follow the rule: the
6 longer the running distance, the longer the cool down phase (1, 15, 26, 30).
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7 During repetitive speed exercises the contribution of phosphocreatine hydrolysis to the
8 meeting of energy demand of working muscles increases after each loading (5, 6). The cool down
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9 phase duration depends not only on the stimulation of the central nervous system but also on the
10 rate of recovery of the autonomic nervous system functions related to the payoff of oxygen debt
11 run up during physical exercise as well as on the rate of phosphocreatine re-synthesis (8, 24, 28,
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12 43). The duration of rest as well as the length of running distances should be adjusted for
13 individual players and their respective positions of play.
14 The present study showed that the dominant sprinting activities during UEFA Cup
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15 matches were sprints between 10 to 20 m and longer than 20 m. They constituted, respectively,
16 48% and 45% of the total number of sprints performed by players in analyzed matches (Fig. 2).
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17 The most active sprinters in the analyzed distances were forwards and external midfielders who
18 indeed ran more sprints than central defenders and central midfielders. However, no significant
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19 differences were observed between sprint runs performed by players in different positions over
20 distances between 0 and 10 m. The Amisco Pro system does not permit an identification of
21 players sprinting activity shorter than 1 s. Therefore the actual number of recorded sprints over
22 the distance between 0 and 10 m was low.
1 The obtained results concerning selected aspects of analysis of the sprinting activity of
2 soccer players during UEFA Cup matches correspond with the results of other authors who
3 revealed that the sprinting distances covered by elite soccer players were mostly between 10 and
4 20 m and longer than 20 m (7, 29, 34, 38, 44).
5 The aim of the present study was to examine differences between players positions on
6 the pitch and to quantify demands placed on elite soccer players in individual positions during
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7 match play. The analysis of elite-level match play focusing on sprinting activity ( 24 km h-1)
8 and assessing the total number of sprints, sprinting distance covered as well as the percentage of
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9 each sprint duration category, revealed a number of statistically significant differences between
10 different playing positions. There is a consensus in sports science that the most effective pre-
11 competition training is the one which most closely replicates competitive performance
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12 conditions. Therefore, training prescriptions in soccer should also be based on the specific
13 requirements of playing positions and thereby ensure that players are better prepared to fulfill
14 their tactical responsibilities during the game.

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16 PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
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17 During a soccer game, players undertake a variety of activities requiring rapid generation of
18 power, e.g. sprint runs and sudden changes of running directions. Such activities directly affect
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19 the match score, and speed is one of the main foundations of effective implementation of tactical
20 and technical guidelines in matches. Pre-competition speed training of soccer players as well as
21 maintaining a relatively high level of speed capabilities during the competitive season is one of
22 the key issues in modern soccer training.
1 The results of the study provide important information on the role of sprinting activities of
2 elite soccer players competing in UEFA Cup matches and reveal significant differences in
3 sprinting activities with regard to the players respective positions on the pitch. This information
4 can be used for appropriate planning and implementation of speed training, accounting for the
5 total sprint distance and the number and category of sprints performed by players in different
6 positions.
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7 In coaching practice, even in professional soccer clubs, the same speed training loads are used
8 for players in different positions on the pitch. If trainers follow this methodological uniformity
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9 then speed training will be ineffective as it will fail to account for players specific abilities.
10 The study results clearly indicate the necessity to apply distances between 10 and 20 m and
11 longer than 20 m in soccer speed training. Also, individual adjustment of speed training loads is
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12 very significant. It seems unfounded, therefore, to apply 40 m or even 50 m running distances in
13 soccer speed training. Training players to run such long distances can lead to the emergence of
14 lactate in muscles and blood.

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15 The planning of speed training should not merely be confined to performing exercises
16 without the ball at the coachs command. Match analysis shows that a players running speed is
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17 strictly related to rapid changes of running directions, stopping, changes of running pace, speed
18 of perception, anticipation, reaction and decision making. Thus, speed exercises with a partner
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19 and the ball involving coordination elements will greatly improve the training process as they
20 develop the motor and cognitive speed components and make soccer training closer to real
21 competition conditions.
22 In motor training aimed at the development of speed abilities, the individualization of training
23 loads is perfectly justifiable. The crucial issue is whether the speed abilities of soccer players can
1 be shaped regardless of their positions of play. It is argued that the training of forwards and
2 external midfielders should involve sprinting speed components to a far greater extent than the
3 loads for central defenders and central midfielders. The sprinting loads should be greater for the
4 former in terms of number of sprint runs of short and long duration during particular training
5 sessions. Sprinting distances in training sessions, in particular, in the ranges from 10.1 to 20.0 m
6 and longer than 20 m, should also be adjusted for respective positions of play. The number of
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7 sprinting distances within these two ranges is, in fact, twice as large in forwards and external
8 midfielders than in central defenders and central midfielders. The results of the present study
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9 show that soccer coaches can effectively apply comparable sprinting speed loads in the training
10 of all players regardless of their position on the pitch, only in the range of 0-10 m.
11 The use of the Amisco Pro computerized match analysis system permits the design of the
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12 most optimal speed training loads in the process of preparation of professional soccer players.
13 The structure of such training loads should be individually adjusted in terms of sprinting distance
14 and number and types of sprints with regard to the players position on the pitch. This will ensure
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15 training efficiency and will positively affect the development of players speed competences in
16 the pre-competitive and competitive periods.

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21
22 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1 The authors wish to express their thanks to the authorities of KKS Lech Poznan football club for
2 making available their statistical match data for research purposes. The results of the present
3 study do not constitute endorsement of Amisco Pro or KKS Lech Poznan football club by the
4 authors or the NSCA.
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1 Figure Legends
3 Figure 1. Total sprinting distance covered (m) by examined players (n = 147) in five positional
4 groups: central defenders (D, n = 39), external defenders (ED, n = 35), central midfield players
5 (CM, n = 35), external midfield players (EM, n = 20), and forwards (F, n = 18).
6 Differences between all positions: F = EM = ED > CD = CM (p < 0.05).
D
7
8 Figure 2. Total number of sprints in three sprint distance categories performed by examined
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9 players (n =147) in their respective positions of play: central defenders (D, n = 39), external
10 defenders (ED, n = 35), central midfield players (CM, n = 35), external midfield players (EM, n =
11 20), and forwards (F, n = 18).

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12 Differences between all positions in three distance categories: 010 m: ns (p 0.05), 10.1 20.0
13 m: F = EM > CM = CD (p < 0.05) and > 20 m F = EM > CD = CM < ED (p < 0.05).
14
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C
A
Table
Table 1. Number of sprints by position of play (mean SD).
ED CD CM EM F
(n = 35) (n = 39) (n = 35) (n = 20) (n = 18)
Total number of sprints 12.0 4.9 8.7 3.9 8.6 4.3 14.9 4.9 15.9 5.1
D
Short duration sprints (S) 10.3 4.3 7.9 3.7 8.1 4.2 13.6 4.1 14.4 4.4
Long duration sprints (L) 1.7 1.6 0.8 1.0 0.5 0.6 1.3 1.2 1.5 1.6
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Differences in total number of sprints between all positions: F = EM > CD = CM (p < 0.05).
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Differences found for short duration sprints (S): F = EM > CM = CD (p < 0.05), and long
duration sprints (L): ED > CM (p < 0.05).

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C
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Figure 1.
600
500
E D
D
T
Total sprint distance [m]
TE
400
300
E P
C EP
200
C
100
C
C
0
A
A
ED CD CM EM F
Play ing positions
Median 25%-75% Non-outlier range
Figure 2.
CD ED CM EM F
D
12,0
E
10,5
D
T
9,0
TE
Total number of sprints
P
7,5
E EP
6,0
C
4,5
3,0
C
C
C
1,5
A
A
0,0
0-10 m 10.1-20 m >20 m

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Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research Publish Ahead of Print

ANALYSIS OF SPRINTING ACTIVITIES OF PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYERS

19 individualization of training of soccer players speed capabilities. It is an essential instrument of

20 modern planning and application of training loads.

22 Key Words: match analysis, playing positions, sprint types, individualization.

21 processes, while during high-intensity and maximum-intensity match phases it is produced by

8 significant in modern soccer (14).

16 is between 200 and 1,200 m (10, 28, 31, 33).

23 during UEFA Cup matches only.

5 Experimental Approach to the Problem

22 team won in two.

4 were classified by distance category: 010 m, 10.120.0 m, and > 20 m.

17 hoc test for multiple comparisons was used.

2 9.1. software package.

4 Total sprint distance

13 distance was covered by the central midfielders (167 87 m) (Fig. 1).

14 (Figure 1 about here)

15 Total number of sprints

19 central defenders and central midfielders (p < 0.05) (Tab. 1).

10 of external defenders vs. central midfielders (p > 0.05).

11 (Table 1 about here)

22 midfielders (p < 0.05) (Fig. 2).

23 (Figure 2 about here)

11 relation to their respective positions on the pitch.

6 These results are similar to Lago et al. (25).

13 individual players and their respective positions of play.

22 the distance between 0 and 10 m was low.

4 20 m and longer than 20 m (7, 29, 34, 38, 44).

14 their tactical responsibilities during the game.

22 the key issues in modern soccer training.

14 lactate in muscles and blood.

16 the pre-competitive and competitive periods.

21 2. Ali, A, and Farrally, M. A computer-video aided time-motion analysis technique for

22 match analysis. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 31: 82-88, 1991.

1 3. Andrzejewski, M, Chmura, J, Pluta, B, and Kasprzak, A. Analysis of motor activities of

2 professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 26: 1481-1488, 2012.

3 4. Arnason, A, Sigurdsson, SB, Gudmundsson, A, Holme, J, Engebretsen, L, and Bahr, R.

8 Scand 154: 303-306, 1995.

11 J Appl Physiol 80: 876-882, 1996.

13 Sport Sci 16: 110116, 1991.

14 8. Bangsbo, J. The physiology of soccer: With special reference to intense intermittent

15 exercise. Acta Physiol Scand 151 (Suppl. 619): 1155, 1994.

22 11. Bloomfield, J, Polman, R, and ODonoghue, P. Physical demands of different positions in

23 FA Premier League soccer. J Sports Sci and Med 6: 6370, 2007.

11 Perform Analysis Sports 10: 139-151, 2010.

14 position. Int J Sport Med 11: 278-290, 2010.

16 effects of directional changes in intermittent exercise in soccer players. J Strength Cond

17 Res 24: 3219-3226, 2010.

20 28: 222227, 2007.

21 19. Di Salvo, V, Gregson, W, Atkinson, G, Tordoff, P, Drust, B. Analysis of high intensity

1 20. Di Salvo, V, Baron, R, Gonzalo-Haro, A, Gormasz, C, Pigozzi, F, and Bachl, N. Sprinting

3 matches. J Sports Sci 28: 14891494, 2010.

4 21. Ekblom, B. Applied physiology of soccer. Sports Med 3: 5060, 1986.

6 training. Br J Sports Med 36: 218221, 2002.

16 professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 19: 76-78, 2005.

18 Stud 11: 49-52, 1985.

19 28. Mohr, M, Krustrup, P, and Bangsbo, J. Match performance of high-standard soccer

21 29. Mller, E, Raschner, C, and Schwameder, H. Leistungsdiagnostik im Spit-zensport

22 Bedeutung, Methoden und Anwendungsgebiete. Spectrum Sportwiss 1: 47-70, 1998.

11 and competitive level. J Sci Med Sport 12: 227233, 2009.

13 professional football match-play. J Hum Mov Stud 2: 8797, 1976.

14 35. Reilly, T. The Science of TrainingSoccer: A Scientific Approach to Developing

15 Strength, Speed, and Endurance. New York, NY: Routledge, 2007.

16 36. Rey, E, Lago-Penas, C, Lago-Ballesteros, J, Casais, L, Dellal, A. The effect of a