FEATURES OF FOOTBALL PLAYERS’ PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN DIFFERENT RUNNING SPEED ZONES

Abstract

Abstract. The characteristics of physical activity in different speed zones were studied in football players during official matches and within the training process. Materials and Methods. The study involved 36 football players (age: 24,7±0,82 years; height: 181,1±0,01 cm; body mass: 73,9±1,1 kg; training experience: 17,5±0,8 years) who played for the same team. Their locomotor activity was analyzed across 46 matches of the Uzbekistan Championship (Premier League), the Uzbekistan Cup, and the AFC Champions League. The total number of observations was n = 317. Participation in national teams was also analyzed (30 players – 83,3%) and senior national teams (17 players – 47,2%). Results were obtained only for outfield players. All players were required to be in the starting lineup and complete the full match without substitution. The Catapult Vector X7 and S7 tracking systems were used to measure the distance (S, m) covered by players in different speed zones. Results. The average total distance covered per match (S) was 10301,5± 120,6 m. The distance covered in the first half was nearly identical to that in the second half: 5164,5±66,82 m and 5136,9±60,5 m, respectively (p = 0,509). In the low-intensity running zone (LIR1), the distance was 3533,8±139,4 m. Physical activity in LIR1 during the first half (1731,6 ±70,6 m) was statistically significantly lower than in the second half (1802,1± 69,1m; p≤0,001). In the low-intensity zone (LIR2), players covered 3722,60 ±72.51 m per match. A statistically significantly greater distance was covered in the first half (1885,90±38,9 m) compared to the second half (1836,7± 37,09 m; p = 0,040). Analysis of the distance covered in the aerobic running zone (R) showed a value of 2031,07±111,2 m. Comparison between halves revealed a statistically significantly greater distance in the first half (1038,7± 62,02 m) than in the second half (992,3±50,9 m; p = 0,047). Analysis of players’ locomotor activity in the high-speed running (HSR) and sprint distance (SD) zones revealed statistically significant differences between halves (p<0,05). The total distance covered per match in the HSR zone was 765,2± 42,7 m, and in the SD zone 172,98± 11,5 m.
Comparison of maximum individual running speed showed that for the majority of players (64%), it was higher during training. Players who reached their maximum running speed in matches typically did so in the first half (67%).
Conclusions. The presented results and the technology for monitoring football players’ physical activity across different running speed zones enable the planning of training and competitive activities with consideration of individual levels of players’ locomotor activity.