Impact of contextual variables on the representative external load profile of Spanish professional soccer match-play: A full season study

The aims of this study were to: (1) identify the representative external load profile of match-play in Spanish professional soccer players by principal components analysis (PCA), and (2) analyse the effect of match location (home vs away), match outcome (win vs draw vs loss) and length of the microcycle (5 vs 6 vs 7 vs 8 vs 9 days) on the external load profile. Data were collected during one season consisting of 42 matches in LaLiga 123 and 11 external load variables were selected after the PCA. TD, total distance covered; DIS0-6: distance from 0 to 6 km/h; DIS21-24: distance from 21 to 24 km/h; HSRD: high-speed running distance above 21 km/h; HSRA: total of high-speed running actions above 21 km/h; V-MAX: maximum speed in km/h; Sprints: total of actions above 24 km/h; ACC: total of accelerations; ACC(G-avg): average accelerometer G-force; ACC(MAX): maximum acceleration (m/s2); DECMAX: maximum deceleration (m/s(2)). Match location had an impact on HSRD (p < 0.01; ES = 0.05), DIS0-6 (p < 0.01; ES = 0.05), and ACC(MAX) (p < 0.01; ES = 0.05). Match outcome had a relation to TD (p < 0.01; ES = 0.05), DIS0-6 (p < 0.01; ES = 0.05) and HSRD (p < 0.01; ES = 0.05). Length of the microcycle had an impact on TD (p < 0.01; ES = 0.05), DIS0-6 (p < 0.01; ES = 0.11), ACC (p < 0.01; ES = 0.04) and V-MAX (p < 0.01; ES = 0.04). This study provides coaches a selection of variables for match-play analysis, which could represent two-thirds of external load profile. Then, professionals should consider that these contextual variables could have an impact on the external load profile.

Automated summary

This study identified the external load profile of match-play in Spanish professional soccer players through PCA and analyzed the impact of match location, match outcome, and microcycle length on the external load profile. The results provide coaches with valuable variables for match-play analysis and highlight the importance of contextual factors in influencing external load profile.