Comparison of external load between positional games and matches classified according to players’ positional roles

Abstract

In soccer, teams frequently incorporate positional games (PGs) into their training sessions. However, the external load of PGs for each positional role is scarce. This study examined the extent to which PGs are efficient in stimulating the physical demands of competition and the relationship with the player's position. Twenty-eight Argentine professional players (age: 24.9 ± 4.7 years; body mass: 73.9 ± 6 kg; height: 177.3 ± 8.3 cm). Players were categorized into the following groups: central and wide defenders (CD-WD), central and offensive midfielders (CMF-OMF), and wingers and forwards (WIN-FOR). External load was monitored using GPS (50 Hz) during 2 PG formats (8vs8 + 2 Goalkeepers (GK); 9vs9 + 2GK) and 10 official matches. Total distance (TD), player-load (PL), load rates (distance covered per min >14.9 and >19.9 km·h⁻¹; HILR-HSLR), number of runs during load rates (#HILR-#HSLR), high-intensity accelerations/decelerations (>2.5; < -2.5 m·s⁻²; HIA-HID), and high metabolic load distance (HMLD) were measured. TD was lower in every position for 8vs8 + 2GK compared to matches, but the opposite occurred for 9vs9 + 2GK. For PL, all positions mirrored match status in both formats. HILR-HSLR showed lower values across every position (p < .001), except in WD in both variables for 9vs9 + 2GK. Regarding #HILR, only CD-FOR reached the match demands for 8vs8 + 2GK, and all roles resembled match status in 9vs9 + 2GK, except for WIN, with a lower mean value than matches (p < .001). For variable #HSLR, all positions in both formats attained lower values (p < .05). There were significantly higher values of HIA-HID in every positional role during both formats (p < .001). HMLD were lower in all positions for 8vs8 + 2GK. Formats such as 9vs9 + 2GK might achieve similar match performance in various metrics, except for HILR-HSSL. Higher values of HIA, and HID in both formats, with certain relative areas per player, can stimulate intensity concerning these specific metrics in each position during games.