A Longitudinal Exploration of Match Running Performance during a Football Match in the Spanish La Liga: A Four-Season Study

This study aimed to analyze and compare the match running performance during official matches across four seasons (2015/2016-2018/2019) in the top two professional leagues of Spanish football. Match running performance data were collected from all matches in the First Spanish Division (Santander; n = 1520) and Second Spanish Division (Smartbank; n = 1848), using the Mediacoach(R) System. Total distance and distances of 14-21 km.h(-1), 21-24 km.h(-1), and more than 24 km.h(-1), and the number of sprints between 21 and 24 km.h(-1) and more than 24 km.h(-1) were analyzed. The results showed higher total distances in the First Spanish Division than in the Second Spanish Division (p < 0.001) in all the variables analyzed. Regarding the evolution of both leagues, physical demands decreased more in the First Spanish Division than in the Second Spanish Division. The results showed a decrease in total distance and an increase in the high-intensity distances and number of sprints performed, although a clearer trend is perceived in the First Spanish Division (p < 0.001; p < 0.01, respectively). Knowledge about the evolution of match running performance allows practitioners to manage the training load according to the competition demands to improve players' performances and reduce the injury rate.

Automated summary

The study found that total distance covered in matches was higher in La Liga than in the Segunda Division, with physical demands decreasing more rapidly in La Liga. Total distance decreased while high-intensity distance and sprint numbers increased, with a clearer trend observed in La Liga.