Abstract

The aims of the present study were to (a) analyze the relationship between acceleration capacity at low and high initial running speeds and the player’s ability to cover high-intensity running distances and perform high-intensity accelerations during competition and (b) examine whether these differences also occur across playing positions in professional soccer players. A total of 222 professional male soccer players from LALIGA participated in the study during the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 seasons. Players were classified in six positions: central defender (CD), full back (FB), central midfielder (CM), offensive midfielder (OM), winger (W) and forward (F). K-means clustering was applied to classify players based on the maximal theoretical acceleration (A0Int) capacity and the maximal theoretical initial running speed (S0Int). Mixed models were used to examine the accelerations performed above 75% of the acceleration–speed profile (Mean75AS0) according to IntS; distance covered at high speeds (21–24 km·h−1, >24 km·h−1, >28 km·h−1); and maximum speed across playing positions, cluster groups and contextual variables. C1 (high A0Int and S0Int) showed a significantly greater distance covered during high-intensity running and accelerations than C2 (low A0Int and S0Int) across all IntS thresholds. C3 (high A0Int and low S0Int) achieved higher accelerations at a low IntS. In conclusion, offensive positions displayed greater distance covered during high-intensity running and acceleration across all IntS categories, while CD produced lower values. In conclusion, this study highlights how the accelerations quantified in relation to the IntS vary according to the relationship between A0Int and S0Int during competition and the positional role of the player.

Keywords