Variations of Accelerometer and Metabolic Power Global Positioning System Variables across a Soccer Season: A Within-Group Study for Starters and Non-Starters

The aims of this study were to analyze the within-group weekly metabolic power average (wMPA), acceleration zones (wAcZ), and deceleration (wDcZ), in starter non-starter professional soccer players, based on different periods full season (pre-, early-, mid-, end-season). Twenty-one players (age, 28.3 ± 3.8 years; height, 181.2 7.1 cm; body mass, 74.5 7.7 kg; BMI, 22.6 1.0 kg·m2) monitored during highest level Iranian Premier League. WMPA, wAcZ, wDcZ at three (wAcZ1, wAcZ2, wAcZ3, wDcZ1, wDcZ2, wDcZ3) collected using Global Positioning System. ANOVA was applied changes across season. In general, starters presented higher values beginning (pre- early-season) lower mid- end-season. Specifically, showed significant differences early- vs. mid-season for wMPA, wAcZ1, wDcZ1 (p < 0.05), plus end-season wMPA wAcZ1 0.01). addition, non-starters pre-season that decreased until wDcZ1. Regarding wDcZ3, early-season pre- wDcZ1; wDccZ2, wDcZ3; wDccZ2; wAcZ2 wAcZ3 0.05). conclusion, revealed have early-season, end-season, while load mid-season. This provides extra insights over non-starters, respectively. Data can be used by coaches better training periodization