Optimize Physical Performance in Professional Soccer: Practical Applications of a New Composite Index

28 Ago Optimize Physical Performance in Professional Soccer: Practical Applications of a New Composite Index

In professional soccer, understanding and measuring players’ physical performance is essential for planning effective training sessions and making strategic decisions during matches. A recent study published by LaLiga introduces a new composite index that summarizes players’ physical performance, integrating multiple variables into a single, comprehensible metric for coaches.

What is the Composite Physical Performance Index?

The composite index developed in this study is based on data collected from 830 official matches in LaLiga and the Copa del Rey, analyzing the performances of 1,138 professional players. This index simplifies the interpretation of a large amount of performance data, such as distances covered, accelerations, and high-intensity efforts, into a single value ranging from 0 to 10.

Key Findings: Insights for Coaches

1. Relationship Between Playing Time and Performance:

• There is a strong positive correlation between a player’s playing time and their score on the composite index. This means that the longer a player remains on the field, the higher their physical performance, which is expected due to adaptation to the match’s rhythm.
• For coaches, this implies that players who spend more time on the field tend to maintain or even improve their physical performance, reinforcing the importance of properly managing substitutions and playing time.

1. Differences by Position:

• Although all players show an increase in the composite index with playing time, there are significant differences by position. For instance, forwards exhibit a higher correlation between playing time and performance, followed by midfielders and defenders.
• This suggests that coaches should consider these differences when planning position-specific training as well as making adjustments during matches.

1. Three Key Components of Performance:

• Acceleration: Explosive actions and changes of pace are critical, especially for players in offensive positions.
• High-Intensity Efforts: Running at high speeds is essential for all, but especially for forwards and wingers.
• Medium-Intensity Actions: Continuous movements at moderate intensities are more relevant for midfielders, who need to maintain pace and cover large areas.

Practical Applications

• Training Planning: This index allows coaches to identify which aspects of physical performance need more focus in training sessions. For example, if a team shows weakness in high-intensity efforts, coaches can emphasize improving players’ speed and endurance during training.
• Decision-Making During Matches: By monitoring real-time physical performance using this index, coaches can make more informed decisions about when to make substitutions, ensuring that the players on the field are performing at their best.

Conclusion

The new composite physical performance index is a powerful tool that helps coaches simplify the complex task of analyzing their players’ physical performance. By providing a single metric that integrates multiple aspects of performance, it facilitates decision-making both in training and during competition, enabling a more strategic and efficient approach.

To read the full scientific article, visit https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-65581-5.

Keywords: physical performance in soccer, composite index, LaLiga, training planning, competition strategies, position-specific training, in-match performance, real-time monitoring.