Percorrer por autor "Moreira, Alexandre"
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- Contextual analysis of physical-tactical match performance Contextual analysis of physical-tactical match performance demands in elite U21 soccer playersPublication . Craig Davies; Vassallo, Christian; Ryan, Ben; Zmijewski, Piotr; Oliveira, Rafael; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Moreira, Alexandre; Morgans, RylandBackground: Soccer matches include physical and tactical factors, yet limited research has integrated physical-tactical variables involving U21 soccer players. This study examined how different phases of play influence physical intensity in elite U21 soccer players. Materials and Methods: Twelve professional development league matches involving 29 male U21 soccer players (106 obser vations) were analysed. Players wore 10 Hz GPS units to derive relative (m/min) physical metrics during six phases of play. Phases and positions were compared using repeated‑measures ANOVA and one‑way ANOVA. Results: Players covered significantly greater high-speed running per mi nute (HSR/min) during the final third compared to build-up (p = 0.015, ES: 0.5, small) and progres sion phases (p = < 0.001, ES: 0.6, moderate). Furthermore, players covered significantly greater HSR/min during the defensive low block phase compared to build-up (p = 0.001, ES: 0.7, moderate), progression (p = < 0.001, ES: 0.9, moderate), middle block (p = 0.011, ES: 0.7, moderate) and high press (p = 0.001, ES: 0.8, moderate) phases. Conclusions: Differing phases of play required specific physical qualities depending on the position and the tactical role within the team. This integrated approach provides contextualisation of important physical metrics relevant to tactical actions that may inform training design and rehabilitation sessions.
- Contextualized acceleration and deceleration profiles of elite soccer players during English Premier League match-play. The effect of possession, positional demands and opponent rankingPublication . Morgans, Ryland; Mandorino, Mauro; Ryan, Ben; Zmijewski, Piotr; Moreira, Alexandre; Oliveira, RafaelThis study aimed to compare accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC) when in- (IP) and out of-possession (OP) during official English Premier League (EPL) match-play over three consecutive seasons considering playing position, match location and opponent ranking. Match data from 31 male professional soccer players was obtained via an optical tracking system. Playing position significantly influenced ACCIP, DECIP, and DECOP. Ranking difference and match location were significant predictors for DECIP, ACCOP, and DECOP. An increase in ranking difference was associated with higher DECIP. Conversely, in the out-of-possession phase (ACCOP and DECOP), a decrease in these parameters with increasing ranking difference was observed. Regarding match location, positive β coefficients suggested that DECIP, ACCOP, and DECOP values were significantly higher during away matches compared to home matches. A significant interaction (playing position × ranking difference) was reported for DECOP (𝛽 = 0.035, p = 0.013). Interestingly, DECOP actions decreased with increasing ranking difference across all playing positions except for wingers. In conclusion, these findings highlight that distinct contextual factors influence ACC and DEC performance during in- and out-of-possession phases of EPL match-play.
- Contextualized high-speed running and sprinting during English Premier League match-play with reference to possession, positional demands and opponent rankingPublication . Morgans, Ryland; Mandurino, Mauro; Beato, Marco; Ryan, Ben; Zmijewski, Piotr; Moreira, Alexandre; Ibrahim Ceylan, Halil; Oliveira, RafaelThis study aimed to compare high-speed running (HSR) and sprint distances (SD) when in- (IP) and out-of-possession (OP) during official English Premier League (EPL) match-play over three consecutive seasons considering playing position, match location and opponent ranking. Match data from 31 male professional soccer players was obtained via an optical tracking system. Results showed that during the IP phase, playing position emerged as the only significant predictor for both HSRIP and SDIP. Wingers showed the highest HSRIP compared to centre-backs who exhibited the lowest values (p < 0.001, ES = 4.19). Similar data were found for SDIP (p < 0.001, ES = 3.30). HSROP was significantly affected by both ranking difference (β = -0.039, p = 0.001) and match location (β = 0.369, p = 0.001). HSROP decreases as the ranking difference increases and tends to be higher during away matches (p = 0.001, ES = 0.24). SDOP was affected by both ranking difference (β = -0.023, p = 0.001) and match location (β = 0.166, p = 0.001) and decreased as the ranking difference increased. SDOP was also higher during away matches (p = 0.001, ES = 0.23). Additionally, a significant interaction was found between playing position and ranking difference (β = 0.005, p = 0.010). Lower ranking differences correspond to higher SDOP values. In conclusion, these findings highlight that by applying these IP and OP insights into practical coaching strategies, teams can potentially enhance individual physical performance and adaptability across different match situations and seasons.
- The effect of contextualised match variables on the metabolic power of elite soccer players during English Premier League match-playPublication . Morgans, Ryland; Oliveira, Rafael; Mandorino, Mauro; Ryan, Ben; Zmijewski, Piotr; Modric, Toni; de Araújo Teixeria, José Eduardo; Moreira, AlexandreThis study examined the effect of contextualised match variables on metabolic power of elite soccer players during English Premier League (EPL) match-play across four seasons (2021/22–2024/25), comparing in-possession (MPIP) and out-of-possession (MPOP) phases. Match data from 31 male professional soccer players retrieved from 152 regular-season EPL competitive matches was obtained via an optical tracking system and analysed with decision tree regression models. The MPIP model demonstrated strong predictive accuracy (RMSE = 1.54; MPE = 2.04%), identifying playing position as the dominant predictor (88% of total feature importance). Defenders exhibited the lowest MPIP, while forwards in a 3-5-2 team formation showed the highest values (MPIP = 15.7 W · kg−1). Conversely, the lowest MPIP values (MPIP = 12.1 W · kg−1) were observed when the study team did not employ a 3-5-2 team formation and faced opponents with a ranking difference of less than eight positions. The MPOP model also demonstrated robust predictive performance (RMSE = 1.59; MPE = 1.30%). Playing position was the most influential factor (44% of total feature importance), with midfielders displaying higher MPOP. Forwards had the lowest MPOP in the second half, while the highest values (MPOP = 17.1 W · kg−1) were observed for midfielders when the team was losing in a 3-5-2 formation. These findings confirm that positional role is the principal determinant of metabolic power in EPL match-play, with midfielders particularly exposed to elevated demands out-of-possession. Tactical structure, match status, and match period further modulate metabolic load, highlighting the need to consider context-specific training strategies.
- High-intensity running and sprint distance prior to hamstring injury in elite male soccer players. Is there a common theme in over- or under- loading in the weeks preceding hamstring injury?Publication . Morgans, Ryland; Oliveira, Rafael; Ceylan, Halil I.; Teixeira, José; Ryan, Ben; Modric, Toni; Moreira, AlexandreThe analysis of the period prior to injury is still scarce in soccer. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the loading patterns of high-intensity running and sprint distances during the weekly cycle durations across a five year period in an elite soccer club. Specifically, to investigate any over- or under-loading in the weeks preceding hamstring injury. Thirty professional outfield soccer players from an English Premier League club were involved (age 24.2 ± 6.1 years, weight 74.7 ± 7.8 kg, height 1.81 ± 0.09 m). Injury surveillance, training and match data from the complete 2020/21 season was considered for analysis. Physical data were consistently monitored across the study seasons during all training sessions and matches using an 18Hz Global Positioning System (GPS) technology tracking system. The relative and absolute measures of total distance, high-intensity distance (m; total distance covered 5.5 - 7m/s) and sprint distance (m; total distance covered > 7m/s) were collected. These measures were analyzed considering the four weeks preceding injury (-4, -3, -2, -1) between injured and uninjured players. The main findings revealed that sprint distance per minute was higher in injured than uninjured players in the week preceding the injury (week -1, p = 0.038; ES = -0.89). No other meaningful differences were found. This study highlighted the influence of sprint distance per minute performed in the week preceding injury in elite English Premier League soccer players. Such findings highlight the importance of longitudinal measurements specifically related to sprint distance, while the analysis of two-, three- and four weeks prior to injury does not seem to add any significant value. Finally, the data from the present study highlights the importance of analyzing relativized data (per minute) compared to absolute data.
- The loading impact of training and match-play on non-contact muscle injuries in elite male soccer players. A seasonal analysisPublication . Morgans, Ryland; Mandorino, Mauro; Zmijewski, Piotr; Ryan, Ben; Modric, Toni; Teixeira, José; Moreira, Alexandre; Oliveira, RafaelThis study investigated the relationship between acute and chronic training load metrics and non-contact muscle injuries in elite soccer players employing a novel statistical approach. A retrospective analysis was conducted during the 2020/21 season on 30 senior outfield players from an English Premier League club. Global Positioning System (GPS) technology monitored total distance, high-speed running (HSR) distance (5.5–7 m/s), sprint distance (> 7 m/s), and peak speed during training sessions and matches. A total of 42 injuries were documented, with an incidence of 8.94 injuries per 1000 hours, although only 12 non-contact muscle injuries were included in the analysis that occurred at 2.5 per 1000 hours of exposure. Acute (7-day) and chronic (28-day) training loads were examined, and data preprocessing addressed missing values and multicollinearity. To address class imbalance, the dataset was balanced using the Synthetic Minority Over-Sampling Technique (SMOTE) prior to logistic regression. Four significant predictors were retained: acute HSR (β = -0.175, p < 0.001), acute sprint distance (β = -0.613, p < 0.001), acute peak speed (β = 1.101, p < 0.001), and chronic total distance (β = 2.234, p < 0.001). The model demonstrated excellent discriminative ability with an AUC-ROC of 0.80. The results showed that higher acute volumes of HSR and sprint distance serve as protective factors against non-contact muscle injuries, whereas an increase in acute peak speed and chronic total distance significantly elevates injury risk. These findings underscore the importance of regular exposure to HSR to enhance injury resilience, while excessive load and peak speed may contribute to neuromuscular fatigue and overload.