Contextual Variables and Time-Motion Analysis in Soccer

Abstract

research designs, instruments or analytic techniques Match status is another factor that has attracted increasing attention in the scientifi c literature on soccer performance This factor is defi ned as " winning " , " drawing " or " losing " in relation to the number of goals scored and conceded by the sampled team at the time of data entry Some studies have considered this situational variable (score) when analysing the physical activity of players There has also been considerable research into home advantage However, few studies have considered how playing at home infl uences the work-rate profi les in combination with other variables, although it seems that home teams cover a greater distance than do away teams during low-intensity activity Finally, the opponent level has been investigated with regards to diff erences in physical ability between players of the best and worst teams in the same league It is likely that diff erences