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Background <p>This study aimed to examine differences in external load among professional soccer players during congested weeks across different competition types (League, Cup, and Champions League (UCL)), considering individual match playing time. A retrospective, descriptive, and longitudinal analysis was conducted using external load data from 120 players belonging to the top five teams in the Spanish LaLiga during the 2023/24 season, including 2,671 match observations. Players were categorised by playing time (Starters, Replaced, Fringe, and Non-Starters), and weeks were classified as non-congested (NCON) or congested (CON), with further distinction by competition type. External load metrics were recorded using the Mediacoach<sup>®</sup> tracking system and analysed through Linear Mixed Models.</p> Results <p>Results indicated that players in NCON weeks covered significantly less distance at very low-speed running (VLSR) and at low-speed running (LSR) compared to CON weeks (both <i>p</i> &lt; .01). Players in CON weeks by League covered significantly higher total distance (TD) compared to UCL congested weeks (<i>p</i> &lt; .001) and NCON weeks (<i>p</i> &lt; .01). In CON weeks by Cup, Non-Starters, who accumulated between 0 and 59&#xa0;min across two matches, covered significantly higher very high-speed running (VHSR) than CON weeks by UCL (<i>p</i> &lt; .05) and NCON weeks (<i>p</i> &lt; .05).</p> Conclusions <p>These findings underscore the relevance of competition context and match playing time when analysing external load during matches. Tailoring training and rotation strategies based on external load data and competition type may help maintain performance and reduce fatigue.</p>

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Do the Competitions Played During Congested Weeks Influence the External Load of Spanish Soccer Teams? Analysis by Match Playing Time

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年3月18日

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  • David Lobo-Triviño,
  • Tomás García-Calvo,
  • Jorge Polo-Tejada,
  • Javier Raya-González,
  • Roberto López del Campo,
  • Ricardo Resta,
  • Aldo A. Vasquez-Bonilla

摘要

Background

This study aimed to examine differences in external load among professional soccer players during congested weeks across different competition types (League, Cup, and Champions League (UCL)), considering individual match playing time. A retrospective, descriptive, and longitudinal analysis was conducted using external load data from 120 players belonging to the top five teams in the Spanish LaLiga during the 2023/24 season, including 2,671 match observations. Players were categorised by playing time (Starters, Replaced, Fringe, and Non-Starters), and weeks were classified as non-congested (NCON) or congested (CON), with further distinction by competition type. External load metrics were recorded using the Mediacoach® tracking system and analysed through Linear Mixed Models.

Results

Results indicated that players in NCON weeks covered significantly less distance at very low-speed running (VLSR) and at low-speed running (LSR) compared to CON weeks (both p < .01). Players in CON weeks by League covered significantly higher total distance (TD) compared to UCL congested weeks (p < .001) and NCON weeks (p < .01). In CON weeks by Cup, Non-Starters, who accumulated between 0 and 59 min across two matches, covered significantly higher very high-speed running (VHSR) than CON weeks by UCL (p < .05) and NCON weeks (p < .05).

Conclusions

These findings underscore the relevance of competition context and match playing time when analysing external load during matches. Tailoring training and rotation strategies based on external load data and competition type may help maintain performance and reduce fatigue.