Abstract
Purpose this study aimed to describe and compare the physical demands of emerging modality played in a 1v1 format of soccer, the X1, with matches lasting 20- and 30-min.Methods thirty-one professional X1 athletes participated in this investigation. Sixteen played in games lasting 20-min (height: 174.88 ± 8.24 cm; body mass: 72.17 ± 8.1 kg), while 15 played in matches lasting a total of 30 minutes (height: 175.83 ± 4.26 cm; body mass: 74.67 ± 6.1 kg). To carry out the study, GPS devices (K-50, K-Sports, Italy) were used. Main data analyzed included absolute and relative values of total distance, distance at different speed zones, number and distance at different accelerating and decelerating speeds.Results X1 players covered on average a total distance of 2240 ± 256.38 m and 3118 ± 441.99 m, for 20 and 30-min matches, respectively. The 30-min matches resulted in higher absolute values of all metrics analyzed, with effect sizes varying from 0.65 (sprinting distance) to 3.66 (walking distance). 20-min matches resulted in higher values of relative distance (78.25 ± 9.03 vs. 72.50 ± 6.54 m/min), relative jogging distance (17.25 ± 5.25 vs. 14.17 ± 3.03 m/min), relative accelerating and decelerating distance (2 m/s2 m/min).Conclusion the locomotor demands of athletes playing an 1v1 soccer match with different durations were very specific and singular due to the rules imposed for X1 athletes. In addition, 30-min matches played in this format elicits greater locomotor demands compared to 20-min, however, 20-min matches displayed higher relative demands in m/min.