23 Oct Does playing more matches affect physical performance?
In professional football, one of the most common debates among coaches and physical trainers is whether playing more matches negatively impacts players’ physical performance. This research uses data from the 2023/24 season of LALIGA EA Sports to shed light on this topic, focusing on a key aspect: physical fatigue, measured through distances covered at high intensity during matches.
Summary of the research
In this research, we analyzed players from different LALIGA EA Sports teams, using minutes played in the competition as the main criterion for determining participation. Additionally, it is important to note that the physical performance data is normalized by minutes played, allowing for fair comparisons between players with different amounts of time on the field, regardless of total participation. We evaluated whether players with more minutes played experienced greater physical fatigue in the second half of matches compared to those who played fewer minutes. We also differentiated between players from teams participating in European competitions and those who did not, to explore whether the additional match load had any impact on physical performance.
The metrics used to measure physical performance were distances covered at speeds greater than 21 km/h, 24 km/h, and 28 km/h, comparing performances between the first and second halves of matches. These metrics are crucial for any coach looking to evaluate their players’ physical condition during the game, as they reflect high-intensity physical efforts, which are critical in modern football.
What do the results show?
Surprisingly, the results show that players with more minutes played do not suffer a significant drop in their physical performance, at least in terms of distances covered at high intensity. Specifically:
- Players with high and very high participation do not show signs of greater fatigue in terms of distances covered at speeds above 21 km/h, 24 km/h, and 28 km/h when comparing the two halves of the matches. In fact, in some cases, these players even improve their performance in the second half.
- In contrast, players with low participation (fewer minutes played) show a greater decline in physical performance, especially in distances covered at speeds above 21 km/h and 24 km/h, suggesting greater fatigue during matches.
- By position and participation:
- Players with low participation, especially midfielders and forwards, show a greater drop in physical performance compared to central defenders.
- Players with high and very high participation across all positions, particularly full-backs and forwards, show an improvement or maintenance of their physical performance in the second half, indicating better ability to manage effort.
Furthermore, when comparing teams that participate in European competitions with those that do not, the results showed that players from teams playing in Europe did not show greater physical fatigue, despite the increased number of matches. In fact, the differences between both groups were minimal in terms of distances covered at high intensity.
What does this mean for coaches?
These findings provide useful insights for planning training sessions and managing efforts throughout the season. While players with greater participation do not appear to experience significant physical fatigue in terms of high-intensity performance, it is essential for coaches to evaluate on a case-by-case basis and adjust workloads according to each player’s individual response.
For training and competition planning, these results suggest that:
- Players with greater minutes played may be able to sustain high levels of effort throughout the season without seeing a severe impact on their physical performance, in terms of distances covered at high intensity. However, it is essential to maintain a balanced approach, considering each player’s need for rest and recovery.
- Players with lower participation may require specific adjustments in their training to improve their endurance in high-intensity efforts. These players could benefit from more specific high-speed running drills during training, simulating the physical demands they will face during matches.
- Effort management strategies should be adapted flexibly, allowing high-participation players to take on more workload when appropriate, while lower-participation players may benefit from personalized strategies to enhance their physical performance in high-demand situations.
Conclusion
This research reinforces the idea that the number of matches played by footballers does not necessarily affect their physical performance in terms of distances covered at high intensity. On the contrary, players with greater participation seem better prepared to handle the physical demands of matches. Nevertheless, a cautious approach to workload management is essential, as each player’s needs may vary considerably. Furthermore, playing position plays an important role in how players manage fatigue, with defenders showing more resilience compared to midfielders or forwards. This provides coaches with valuable tools to design balanced training sessions and strategies, keeping key players on the field without compromising their physical performance.