Changes in Physical Performance Throughout Professional Soccer Match-Play

The aim of this study was to explore the changes in physical performance by playing position throughout professional soccer match-play. Global Positioning Systems were used for the collection of external load measures during 35 matches. Each match was divided into 15-minute periods. Physical performance varied according to the period in distance covered (F = 25.69; p < 0.001; partial eta-squared [ηp2] = 0.11), sprinting distance (SPD, F = 4.35; p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.02), sprinting actions (SPAs, F = 5.19; p < 0.001), high-intensity accelerations (Acc+3, F = 2.18; p = 0.05; ηp2 = 0.01), high-intensity decelerations (Dec+3, F = 4.51; p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.02), and high-metabolic load distance (HMLD, F = 5.59; p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.03). The period with the greatest mean physical performance was usually from the first half of the matches: 0-15 minutes (distance, Acc+3, and Dec+3) and 30-45 minutes (HMLD, SPA, and SPD). However, the lowest mean physical performance compared with the rest of 15-minute periods was observed in the 60-75-minute period (distance, HMLD, Acc+3, and Dec+3), except for SPA and SPD (15-30 minutes and 75-90 minutes). Overall, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in the physical performance between the extratime periods. In addition, the playing position had a significant effect on all performance variables (F = 39.99-133.29; p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.14-0.34). Central defenders showed the lowest physical performance throughout the periods of match-play, whereas wide midfielders showed the greatest physical performance in all variables, except for distance covered, in which midfielders had the greatest performance. In conclusion, there were changes in physical performance during the matches depending on the period of match-play and playing position.