Browsing by Author "Kavanagh, Ronan"
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- An analysis of positional generic and individualized speed thresholds within the most demanding phases of match play in the english premier leaguePublication . Kavanagh, Ronan; McDaid, Kevin; Rhodes, David; McDonnell, Jack; Oliveira, Rafael; Morgans, RylandTo analyze the positional distances covered above generic and individualized speed thresholds within the most demanding phases of match play. Categorized by position, 17 English Premier League players’ match data were analyzed over 2 consecutive seasons (2019–20 and 2020–21). The most demanding phases of play were determined using a rolling average across 4 periods of 1, 3, 5, and 10 minutes. Distance covered in the time above the standard speed of 5.5 m/s was analyzed, with individualized metrics based on the maximal aerobic speed (MAS) test data. Results: Central defenders displayed lower values for high-intensity periods when compared with fullbacks, midfielders, and wide midfielders for both generic and individualized metrics. MAS during 1-minute periods was significantly higher for forwards when compared with central defenders (82.9 [18.9] vs 67.5 [14.8] for maximum high-speed running [HSR] and 96.0 [15.9] vs 75.7 [13.8] HSR for maximum MAS activity). The maximum effect size differences between the central midfielders, wide midfielders, and fullbacks for HSR and MAS measures under the maximum HSR criterion was 0.28 and 0.18 for the 1-minute period, 0.36 and 0.19 for the 3-minute period, 0.46 and 0.31 for the 5-minute period, and 0.49 and 0.315 for the 10-minute period. Conclusions: Individualized speed metrics may provide a more precise and comparable measure than generic values. Data appear to be consistent across playing positions except for central defenders. This information may allow practitioners to directly compare individualized physical outputs of non–central defenders during the most demanding phases of play regardless of the players’ positional group. This may provide coaches with important information regarding session design, training load, and fatigue monitoring.
- Can different scores in first and second halves influence running and explosive-based measures?Publication . Morgans, Ryland; Radnor, John; Oliver, Jon; Scholten, Jule; Zmijewski, Piotr; Kavanagh, Ronan; Ryan, Ben; Haslam, Chris; King, Matthew; Oliveira, RafaelThis study aimed to examine the influence of different scores in the first and second half on running and explosive-based performance of elite male soccer players. Thirty-three professional players from one English Premier League team participated in the study across two consecutive seasons, 2021/22 and 2022/23. Matches were divided into half (first versus second) and nine phases; WIN-WIN; WIN-DRAW; WIN-LOSS; DRAW-WIN; DRAW-DRAW; DRAW-LOSS; LOSS-WIN; LOSS-DRAW; and LOSS-LOSS. Match physical data were monitored using an 18 Hz Global Positioning System. There was a main effect for half for all variables (p < 0.001–0.008; η2 = 0.004–0.028), with distances covered per minute and number of explosive actions per minute greater in the first-half than second-half (d = 0.144–0.374). There was an interaction effect between half and phase for m/min, high-speed running per min, high metabolic load distance (HMLD) per min, HML efforts/min, and accelerations/min (p < 0.001–0.012; η2 = 0.010–0.015). There was a reduction between first-half and second-half performance during WIN-WIN, WIN-DRAW, DRAW-WIN, DRAW-DRAW, LOSE-WIN, and LOSE-LOSE for m/min (p < 0.001; d = 0.435–0.714), HMLD/min (p < 0.001–0.004; d = 0.334–0.605), and HML efforts/min (p < 0.001; d = 0.408–0.611). In conclusion, our findings emphasise the importance of considering both match half and phase when analysing players’ physical performance to support the prescription of tailored training programs and tactical strategies to optimise performance across different match situations.
- The positional demands of explosive actions in elite soccer: comparison of English Premier League and French Ligue 1Publication . Morgans, Ryland; Ju, Wonwoo; Radnor, John; Zmijewski, Piotr; Ryan, Ben; Haslam, Chris; King, Matthew; Kavanagh, Ronan; Oliveira, RafaelThe aims of the present study were to: (i) quantify accelerations and decelerations of soccer players during match-play acrosstwo consecutive seasonsfrom the English PremierLeague (EPL) and Ligue 1 (L1); and (ii) compare any positional differences between the two leagues. Fifty-eight male professional soccer players were monitored during all league matches (n = 144) across seasons 2020/21 and 2021/22. The absolute number of accelerations (> +3 m/s−2) and decelerations (< -3 m/s−2) and accelerations and decelerations per minute were examined. The relative number of accelerations and decelerations across all positions was higher with moderate effect sizes in the EPL when compared to L1 (p < 0.001, for both). Significant differences were observed in accelerations and decelerations across all playing positions (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively, with moderate to very large effect sizes), except for centre forwards (CF) (accelerations p = 0.40; ES = 0.16; decelerations p = 0.97; ES = 0.01). This study provides valuable insights into the positional acceleration and deceleration differences in the EPL and L1, which should be considered in match running performance evaluations. While confirming higher accelerations and decelerations in the EPL, the unique case of CF challenges current evidence, emphasising the need for a more granular understanding of the positional demands of explosive actions incorporating accelerations and decelerations in elite soccer.
- The positional demands of explosive actions in elite soccer: comparison of English Premier League and French Ligue 1Publication . Morgans, Ryland; Ju, Wonwoo; Radnor, John; Zmijewski, Piotr; Ryan, Ben; Haslam, Chris; King, Matthew; Kavanagh, Ronan; Oliveira, RafaelThe aims of the present study were to: (i) quantify accelerations and decelerations of soccer players during match-play acrosstwo consecutive seasonsfrom the English PremierLeague (EPL) and Ligue 1 (L1); and (ii) compare any positional differences between the two leagues. Fifty-eight male professional soccer players were monitored during all league matches (n = 144) across seasons 2020/21 and 2021/22. The absolute number of accelerations (> +3 m/s−2) and decelerations (< -3 m/s−2) and accelerations and decelerations per minute were examined. The relative number of accelerations and decelerations across all positions was higher with moderate effect sizes in the EPL when compared to L1 (p < 0.001, for both). Significant differences were observed in accelerations and decelerations across all playing positions (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001 respectively, with moderate to very large effect sizes), except for centre forwards (CF) (accelerations p = 0.40; ES = 0.16; decelerations p = 0.97; ES = 0.01). This study provides valuable insights into the positional acceleration and deceleration differences in the EPL and L1, which should be considered in match running performance evaluations. While confirming higher accelerations and decelerations in the EPL, the unique case of CF challenges current evidence, emphasising the need for a more granular understanding of the positional demands of explosive actions incorporating accelerations and decelerations in elite soccer.
- The relationship between the 1200 m shuttle test and 40 m sprint test performance and distances covered in English Premier League matches: A retrospective two season studyPublication . Kavanagh, Ronan; Matteotti, Matteo; Oliveira, Rafael; McDaid, Kevin; Alexander, Jill; Harper, Damian; Zmijewski, Piotr; Rhodes, David; Morgans, RylandTo identify a relationship between the 1200 m shuttle test and 40 m sprint test performance with distances covered at varying intensities in English Premier League (EPL) matches. A squad (n = 21) of full-time professional 1st team male football players (age 29.8±3.4 years; height 183.7±5.2 cm; weight 83.7±6.9 kg) participated in this study. League match data from the 2019–20 and 2020–21 seasons were recorded and analysed via an Optical Tracking System (OTS) (Second Spectrum®, Los Angeles, USA) to report physical match performance data. Average velocity during the 1200 m shuttle test (V1.2ST) was calculated, while Peak sprinting speed (PSS) was estimated using a 40 m maximal sprint. ASR1.2ST was established by subtracting V1.2ST from PSS. The relationship between V1.2ST, 30%ASR1.2ST and distances covered at varying intensities in EPL matches was assessed by a series of independent Linear Mixed Effects (LME) models. Although not statistically significant, for every unit increase in V1.2ST, there was an increase of 1032 m in distance covered, (p = 0.07). A single unit increase in 30%ASR1.2ST is associated with a significant increase of 495 m in high-speed running distance (> 5.5 m·s −1) (p = 0.02). While for each unit increase in 30%ASR1.2ST, sprint distance (> 7 m·s −1) covered significantly increased by 209 m (p = 0.02). In conclusion, high levels of physical fitness such as V1.2ST and 30%ASR1.2ST derived from the 1200 m shuttle and 40 m sprint tests can improve match running performance in elite soccer. Knowledge of this information allows practitioners to tailor training load based on each players individual characteristics, potentially increasing performance.
- The relationship between VO2 max and 1200m shuttle run performance in elite academy football playersPublication . Kavanagh, Ronan; McDaid, Kevin; Rhodes, David; Connor, Mark; Oliveira, Rafael; Varley, Ian; Morgans, RylandPurpose: To investigate the relationship between VO2 max and performance in the 1200m shuttle run test in elite Premier League academy football players. Methods: Seventeen male professional outfield football players completed a laboratory based incremental treadmill test to establish vVO2 max and a field based 1200m shuttle test to estimate velocity at MAS. During the pre-season period a linear speed phase consisting of twice weekly PS exposures were conducted and each player’s PS reached during this period was established. Body composition was measured using DEXA. Results: Examining the standardized (scaled) coefficients, ASR (7.373) had the largest effect on VO2 max followed by PS (-5.568), MAS (3.604), Body Fat (-0.285) and Lean Mass (-0.185).The results suggest that the model is a significantly better predictor than a model that constantly predicts the mean VO2max value (F = 3.422, p = 0.041). Conclusions: The MAS values obtained from the 1200m shuttle test may be an appropriate assessment to consider when monitoring and individualizing high-intensity performance rather than the generic threshold of 5.5 m/s.
- The relationships between distances covered above generic andrelative speed thresholds by male soccer players in EnglishPremier League matches across two competitive seasons.The effects of positional demands and possessionPublication . Kavanagh, Ronan; Michele, Rocco Di; Oliveira, Rafael; McDaid, Kevin; Rhodes, David; Morgans, RylandThe aims of this study were to: a) examine the relationships between high-intensity distances covered above generic and relative speed thresholds in English Premier League (EPL) matches across two consecutive seasons and b) analyze the effects of playing position and team possession. Sixteen elite male soccer players (seven defenders, six midfielders and three forwards) participated in this study (age 27.8 ± 3.5 years, height 183.7 ± 5.4 cm, body mass 83.9 ± 7.1 kg). An Optical Tracking System was used to collect the following variables: total distance covered; high-speed running distance (HSRD) (> 5.5 m/s); high-intensity running distance (HIRD) (5.5–7 m/s); sprint distance (> 7 m/s); total distance covered above Maximal Aerobic Speed (MAS); distance covered > 85% peak speed (PS); and distance > 30% Anaerobic Speed Reserve (ASR). All measures were analyzed as whole match totals and as distances covered in the periods of the team in possession (TIP), opponent team in possession (OTIP), and ball out of play (BOP). Analysis by position based on defenders, midfielders and forwards was also performed. Distance > 30% ASR was almost perfectly correlated with HSRD (r = 0.98), while distances > MAS were highly correlated with both HIRD (r = 0.91) and HSRD (r = 0.91), and distance > 85% PS were highly correlated with SD (r = 0.70). Although the generic and relative speed thresholds show almost perfect correlation, the differences between HSRD, HIRD and distance > MAS indicate that players may be exposed to more HIRD when using relative thresholds.
- The Relative Age Effect across an International Soccer Programme in Male and Female Players Aged 12 Years Old to SeniorsPublication . Morgans, Ryland; Radnor, John; Nisbet, Daniel; Teixeira, Jose; Modric, Toni; Bezuglov, Eduard; Ceylan, Halil İbrahim; Kavanagh, Ronan; Zmijewski, Piotr; Oliveira, RafaelThe purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence of the Relative Age Effect (RAE) across an international soccer programme in male and female players aged 12 years old to seniors. One hundred forty-five male (age: 18.8 ± 4.6 years; body mass: 68.1 ± 10.2 kg; body height: 177.3 ± 10.5 cm) and 218 female (age: 15.9 ± 4.6 years; body mass: 66.2 ± 10.5 kg; body height: 170.6 ± 8.3 cm) players from a National Association were assessed. All participants were divided into four quartiles: January to March (BQ1), April to June (BQ2), July to September (BQ3), and October to December (BQ4). The results showed that the distributions for all male squads were significantly skewed, with more players than expected from BQ1 in the U-21, U-19, and U-17 and less players than expected from BQ4 in the U-19 squad. The distributions for all female squads showed significantly more players than expected from BQ1 in the U-16 and less players than expected from BQ4 in the U-14 squad. The distributions across the different positions for the male squads combined were significantly skewed with more forward players than expected from BQ1 and less forward and midfielder players than expected from BQ4. For the female squads, there were significantly more BQ1 defenders from the U-16 squad than expected. In conclusion, this study unveils significant disparities in quartile distributions among male and female squads. Moreover, the data emphasize the potential impact of heightened physical demands in certain positions on the RAE.