Joaquín Lago-Ballesteros

Differences in performance indicators between winning and losing teams in the UEFA Champions League

Differences in performance indicators between winning and losing teams in the UEFA Champions League The aim of the present study was to identify performance indicators that discriminate winning teams from drawing and losing teams in the UEFA Champions League. All 288 matches played at the group stage in the 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 seasons were analyzed. The game-related statistics gathered were: total shots, shots on goal, effectiveness, passes, successful passes, crosses, offsides committed and received, corners, ball possession, crosses against, fouls committed and received, corners against, yellow and red cards, venue, and quality of opposition. Data were analyzed performing a one-way ANOVA and a discriminant analysis. The results showed that winning teams had significantly higher average values that were for the following game statistics: total shots (p<0.01), shots on goal (p<0.01), effectiveness (p<0.01), passes (p<0.05), successful passes (p<0.05), and ball possession (p<0.05). Losing teams had significantly higher values in the variable yellow cards (p<0.01), and red cards (p<0.01). Discriminant analysis allowed to conclude the following: the variables that discriminate between winning, drawing and losing teams were the shots on goal, crosses, ball possession, venue and quality of opposition. Coaches and players should be aware of these different profiles in order to increase knowledge about game cognitive and motor solicitation and, therefore, to design and evaluate practices and competitions for soccer peak performance teams in a collective way.

Performance in Team Sports: Identifying the Keys to Success in Soccer

Performance in Team Sports: Identifying the Keys to Success in Soccer The aim of this study was to identify specific performance indicators that discriminate the top clubs from the others based on significantly different pitch action performance in the Spanish Soccer League. All 380 games corresponding to the 2008-2009 season have been analyzed. The studied variables were divided into three groups related to goals scored (goals for, goals against, total shots, shots on goal, shooting accuracy, shots for a goal), offense (assists, crosses, offsides committed, fouls received, corners, ball possession) and defense (crosses against, offsides received, fouls committed, corners against, yellow cards, red cards). Data were analyzed performing a one-way ANOVA. Significant differences across sections of the league table were found for the following pitch actions: goals for, total shots, shots on goal, shots for a goal, assists and ball possession. The main findings of this study suggest that top teams had a higher average of goals for, total shots and shots on goal than middle and bottom teams (p<0.05). Bottom teams needed a higher number of shots for scoring a goal than the other groups of teams (p<0.05). Middle teams showed a lower value in assists and ball possession than top teams (p<0.05). In conclusion, this paper presents values that can be used as normative data to design and evaluate practices and competitions for peak performance soccer teams in a collective way.

The effect of playing tactics and situational variables on achieving score-box possessions in a professional soccer team

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of playing tactics, opponent interaction and situational variables on achieving score-box possessions in professional soccer. The sample was constituted by 908 possessions obtained by a team from the Spanish soccer league in 12 matches played during the 2009–2010 season. Multidimensional qualitative data obtained from 12 ordered categorical variables were used. Sampled matches were registered by the AMISCO PRO® system. Data were analysed using chi-square analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis. Of 908 possessions, 303 (33.4%) produced score-box possessions, 477 (52.5%) achieved progression and 128 (14.1%) failed to reach any sort of progression. Multiple logistic regression showed that, for the main variable “team possession type”, direct attacks and counterattacks were three times more effective than elaborate attacks for producing a score-box possession (P < 0.05). Team possession originating from the middle zones and playing against less than six defending players (P < 0.001) registered a higher success than those started in the defensive zone with a balanced defence. When the team was drawing or winning, the probability of reaching the score-box decreased by 43 and 53 percent, respectively, compared with the losing situation (P < 0.05). Accounting for opponent interactions and situational variables is critical to evaluate the effectiveness of offensive playing tactics on producing score-box possessions.

The Influence of a Congested Calendar on Physical Performance in Elite Soccer

Lago-Peñas, C, Rey, E, Lago-Ballesteros, J, Casáis, L, and Domínguez, E. The influence of a congested calendar on physical performance in elite soccer. J Strength Cond Res 25(8): 2111-2117, 2011—The aim of this study was to investigate recovery via analysis of activity profiles in a professional soccer team over an intense period of matches. A total of 172 outfield players from 27 Spanish League matches played by a professional team during the 2005-2006 season were analyzed using a multiple-camera match analysis system. The dependent variables were the distance covered by players at different intensities. Data were analyzed using an independent-sample t-test and a linear regression analysis with 5 independent variables: the number of matches played per week (1 or 2), match status (i.e., whether the team was winning, losing or drawing), match location (i.e., playing at home or away), quality of the opponents (strong or weak), and the individual playing position of the players. The main finding of this study suggests that the activity profiles of professional soccer players were not influenced by short recovery between matches. Although those players who played 2 matches a week covered less distance at maximal (>23 km·h−1), submaximal (19.1-23 km·h−1), and medium (14.1-19 km·h−1) intensities than those players who played 1 match a week, no significant differences were found. Moreover, results from this study seem to confirm that the elite soccer players´ distance covered at various speeds is dependent on match contextual factors. The top-class players performed less high-intensity activity (>19.1 km·h−1) when winning than when they were losing (p < 0.05), but more distance was covered by walking and jogging when winning (p < 0.05). The home teams covered a greater distance than away teams at low intensity (<14.1 km·h−1) (p < 0.01). Finally, the better the quality of the opponent, the higher the distance covered by walking and jogging.

Tensiomyography of selected lower-limb muscles in professional soccer players

Tensiomyography is a non-invasive method of neuromuscular assessment used to measure muscle action characteristics, muscle tone, and muscle fiber type, and provides information on acute and chronic responses of muscle to different training loads. The aims of the present study were: to analyse differences in muscle response and mechanical characteristics of two major muscles of the lower extremity in a large group of Spanish soccer players according to playing position, and to provide group norms against which clinical findings may be compared. Data were collected from 78 professional soccer players (age 26.6 ± 4.4 years; height: 179.2 ± 5.3 cm; body mass: 75.8 ± 5.3 kg). Tensiomyography was recorded from the rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) muscles after 2 days without take part in any strenuous exercise or training. Five tensiomyographic parameters were analyzed: maximal displacement (D(m)), contraction time (T(c)), sustain time (T(s)), delay time (T(d)), and half-relaxation time (T(r)). A good to excellent intra-session reliability was found for all contractile parameters (ICC ranged from 0.78 to 0.95). No significant differences between players of any position were observed in absolute values of BF. However, significant differences were observed for T(c), T(r) and T(s) between the different playing positions on RF (P < 0.05, effect size ranged from 1.3 to 1.6). Professional soccer players showed muscles with ability to rapidly generate force during contractions. The neuromuscular profile provided could help in identifying the normative data that are important for the different positions in order to optimize the training and recovery process of each individual player.

The Effect of Recovery Strategies on Contractile Properties Using Tensiomyography and Perceived Muscle Soreness in Professional Soccer Players

Abstract Rey, E, Lago-Peñas, C, Lago-Ballesteros, L, and Casáis, L. The effect of recovery strategies on contractile properties using tensiomyography and perceived muscle soreness in professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 26(11): 3081–3088, 2012—The capacity to recover from intense training and matches is considered an important determinant in soccer performance. At present, there is no consensus on the effect of posttraining recovery interventions on subsequent training session. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of active (12 minutes of submaximal running and 8 minutes of static stretching) and passive recovery (20 minutes sit on a bench) interventions performed immediately after a training session on muscle contractile properties using tensiomyography (TMG) and perceived muscle soreness 24 hours after the training. During 2 experimental sessions, 31 professional soccer players participated in a randomized fully controlled trial design. The first session was designed to collect the players TMG and muscle soreness measurements (pretest). After baseline measurements, the participants performed a standardized soccer training during which the heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were recorded to evaluate the training load. At the end of training unit, all the players were randomly assigned to the active recovery group and the passive recovery group. A second experimental session was organized to obtain the posttest values. The players performed the same test, administered in the same order than in the first trial. The results showed that no differences between groups were observed in the HR and RPE. No significant effect because of recovery strategy was found on TMG parameters and perceived muscle soreness.

Analysis of work-rate in soccer according to playing positions

The paper provides a large-scale study into the motion characteristics of top class soccer players, during match play, according to playing position. A total of 127 top-class outfield soccer players were monitored during 18 Spanish Premier League using a computerized match analysis system (Amisco Pro®, Nice, France). Total distance covered in five selected categories of intensity (0–11 km/h (standing, walking, jogging); 11.1–14 km/h (low speed running); 14.1–19 km/h (moderate-speed running); 19.1–23 km/h (high-speed running); > 23 km/h (sprinting) and the mean percentage of playing time spent in each activity were analyzed according to playing position. Midfield players covered a significantly greater total distance than the groups of defenders and forwards did. Analyzing the different work rates showed significant differences (p < between 0.05 and 0.001) between the different playing positions. There were no significant differences between halves in the total distance covered, or in distances covered at submaximal and maximal intensities. However, significantly more distance was covered in the first half compared to the second in medium intensities (11.1–19 km/h). The current findings provide a detailed description of the demands placed on elite soccer players, according to their positional role at different work intensities, which may be helpful in the development of individualized training programs.

The Effect of Immediate Post-Training Active and Passive Recovery Interventions on Anaerobic Performance and Lower Limb Flexibility in Professional Soccer Players

The Effect of Immediate Post-Training Active and Passive Recovery Interventions on Anaerobic Performance and Lower Limb Flexibility in Professional Soccer Players The capacity to recover from intense training, competition and matches is considered an important determinant in soccer performance. At present, there is no consensus on the effect of post-training recovery interventions on subsequent training session. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of active (12 min submaximal running and 8 min of static stretching) and passive recovery (20 min sitting on a bench) interventions performed immediately after a training session on anaerobic performances (CMJ, 20 m sprint and Balsom agility test) and lower limb flexibility 24 h after the training. During two experimental sessions, 31 professional soccer players participated in a randomized fully controlled trial design. The first session was designed to evaluate the players anaerobic performances and lower limb flexibility (pretest). After baseline measurements, participants performed a standardized soccer training during which heart rate and RPE were recorded to evaluate the training load. At the end of the training unit all players were randomly assigned to the active recovery group and the passive recovery group. A second experimental session was organized to obtain the posttest values. Players performed the same test, administered in the same order than in the first trial. No significant differences between groups were observed in heart rate and RPE. No significant effect due to recovery interventions was found on lower limb flexibility and anaerobic performances except CMJ that posttest value was significantly greater in the active recovery group than in the passive group (p < 0.05).

The Influence of Effective Playing Time on Physical Demands of Elite Soccer Players

This paper provides a large-scale study into the motion characteristics of top class soccer players, during match play, according to playing position. 432 top-class outfield soccer players were monitored during the 31 matches of the UEFA EURO 2008 using a computerized match analysis system. Data were analyzed using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a paired sample t-test. Results suggest that midfield players covered a significantly greater total distance than the groups of defenders and forwards did (p < 0.01). Significantly more distance was covered in the first half com- pared to the second (5136±468 m vs 5063±461, p<0.01). However, this difference may be explained by the fact that the effective playing time of the first half was significantly greater than the corresponding one for the second half of the match (27.4±2.2 min vs. 26.9±2.4 min, p<0.05). The findings suggest that the consideration of the effective playing time provides more precise information about competitive physicals demands.

Timing and tactical analysis of player substitutions in the UEFA Champions League

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of situational variables on timing and tactics of substitutions in elite soccer. The sample was constituted by 677 substitutions made over the 124 matches played in the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League. To determine factors that affect substitution times, one-way ANOVA and Student’s t-test were used. In a second instance, a chi-square analysis was carried out to establish if there was an association between each situational variable and the tactics of substitution. Data mining technique (J48 decision tree) was used to find optimal splits in substitution times, which lead to enhanced probability of success. Coaches tend to hold onto substitutions later when the team is ahead, but make substitutions earlier when either tied or behind (P<0.001). The probability that the substitution would be offensive in tactical terms increases when a team is behind in a match (P<0.001). Coaches avoiding defensive substitutions when they face a worse-ranked team and showing an increased preference for them when they face a similar-ranked opponent (P<0.05). Finally, it can be suggested that coaches should be aware that reverting losing scenarios apparently requires to change tactics early in the match.