Locomotor response in the maximum demand periods and ball-in-play time in football competition regarding the playing position

Abstract

Abstract Purpose The present study will compare the locomotor response (LR) in periods-of-maximum-demand (MDP) and ball-in-play-time-demand (PTD) in competition regarding the playing-position (CD: central defender, FB: full back, CM: central midfielder, OM: offensive midfielder, LM: lateral midfielder and FW: forward). Method(s) The PTD and the MDPs (in m·min− 1) were registered via video-tracking and global-position systems, respectively. The time-windows were from 1 to 6-min (MDP1, MDP2, MDP3, MDP4, MDP5 and MDP6, respectively). Results 1) the values of both MDP (in all time windows) and PTD were higher than the average value of the match and for all positions; 2) in the CD, LD and LM the PTD was located after de MDP4, while the CM, FW and OM the PTD were located after MDP3; 3) the running speed decreased as the time-window chosen was longer, and from the 4-min period, there were no differences in the locomotor response between the following periods (MDP5 and MDP6), and for all positions. Conclusion(s) The main conclusions were: 1) the LR of the MPD is conditionally very demanding passages; 2) the velocity of the PTD is very close to the shorter periods (3–4 min). These conclusions can assist the staff in planning the weekly training load scenarios according to the specific roles of the players in a football match.