Browsing by Author "Moreira, Alexandre"
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- 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.
- 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.