Analysis of professional soccer players in competitive match play based on submaximum intensity periods

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to analyse sub-maximum intensity periods (SubMIP’s) manifested by professional soccer players during official matches (number of events and time spent in each event), according to the player position, match halve and match, and also to group the players according to their SubMip values during the competition. Methods We collected a total of 247 individual records of 14 players using Global Positioning System (GPS) during 15 official league matches (Azerbaijan Premier League 2019–2020). We calculated both the number of SubMIPs events and the time each player spent in the SubMIPs zone (threshold of 85% MIP). We analysed the possible independence of the variables with the Kruskal–Wallis test and the possible specific relationships between the groups using a post-hoc analysis with Dunn’s test. In order to explore the possible distribution of physical demands in homogeneous groups, a cluster analysis was performed. Results The statistical analysis showed significant differences between the individual variables in the number of events and in the time spent by the player above the threshold in distance covered at speed >19.8 km/h (HSR), distance covered at speed >25.2 km/h (Sprint), acceleration density (AccDens), mean metabolic power (MetPow), metres per minute (Mmin) and high metabolic load distance >25.5 W/kg (HMLD). Differences were also found according to the playing position in MetPow, Mmin and between halves in AccDens, MetPow, Mmin. In the clustering based on the time spent by the player in SubMIPs, three main groups were described: (1) the centroid was located in lower values in each of the variables; (2) there were an accentuation of the AccDens variable; (3) all the variables, except AccDens, were accentuated. Conclusions The main differences with regard to SubMIPs were related to the player’s individual physical performance and not to position. However, the player’s position could act as an attractor and show significant differences during matches.