Comparing maximal mean and critical speed and metabolic powers in elite and sub-elite soccer
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
International Journal of Sports Medicine
Publisher
Georg Thieme Verlag
School
Centre for Exercise and Sports Science Research / School of Medical and Health Sciences
RAS ID
30993
Abstract
The quantification of maximal mean speed (MMS), maximal mean metabolic power (MMP met), critical speed (CS) and critical metabolic power (CP met) was conducted over full A-League (elite) and National Premier League (NPL; sub-elite) seasons. Comparisons were made between levels of soccer competition and playing positions (i. e. centre backs, full backs, central midfielders, wide midfielders and strikers). A symmetric moving average algorithm was applied to the GPS raw data using specific time windows (i. e. 1, 5, 10, 60, 300 and 600 s) and maximal values were obtained. Additionally, these maximal values were used to derive estimates of CS and CP met. Maximal mean values, particularly during smaller time windows (i. e. 1 and 5 s), were greater in A-League match play. Only MMP met1 was identified as being consistently different between competitions (P = < 0.001 – 0.049) in all playing positions. Significance was only observed in CS (P = 0.005) and CP met (P = 0.005) of centre backs between competitions. Centre backs were identified as the least energy demanding playing position. The present findings suggests that both maximal mean and critical analyses are suitable alternatives to common absolute distance and speed assessments of match running performance during competitive matches. © 2020 Georg Thieme Verlag KG StuttgartNew York.
DOI
10.1055/a-1065-2100
Access Rights
subscription content
Comments
Lord, C., Blazevich, A. J., Abbiss, C. R., Drinkwater, E. J., & Ma’ayah, F. (2020). Comparing maximal mean and critical speed and metabolic powers in elite and sub-elite soccer. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 41(04), 219-226. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1065-2100