A Comparison of Match Demands Using Ball-in-Play versus Whole Match Data in Professional Soccer Players of the English Championship

This is the first study to report whole match, ball-in-play (BiP), ball-out-of-play (BoP), and Max BiP (worst case scenario phases of play) demands professional soccer players competing in English Championship. Effective playing time per game typically <60 min. When ball out play, spend repositioning themselves, which likely less physically demanding. Consequently, reporting match may under-report physical requirements players. Twenty players, categorized by position (defenders, midfielders, forwards), participated this study. A repeated measures design was used collect Global Positioning System (GPS) data over eight matches Data were divided into data, further sub-divided different points (30–60 s, 60–90 >90 s), providing peak demands. Whole recorded compared BiP, with excluding all stoppages, a more precise analysis metrics significantly lower than (p < 0.05), for 30–60 s higher periods between s. No significant differences found positions. allows accurate representation imposed on Through having clearer understanding maximum soccer, practitioners can specific training methods better prepare worst passages play.