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Background. The aim of the current investigation was to determine the movement profiles of elite South American soccer players during international competition and examine the relationship between anthropometric profile and work-rate variables.
Methods. Seventeen full-time professional soccer players were filmed while competing for their countries. Anthropometric profiles were obtained for eleven of these players. Six full-time professional players from the English Premier League were also filmed for comparative purposes.
Results. The South American international players covered significantly less (p<0.05) total distance during match-play than English Premier League players (International, 8638:t1 158 m; English Premier League, 10104+/-703 m). The total distance covered during the second half of the game was significantly reduced (p<0.05) compared to the first half distance for both groups of players (mean+/-SD first half 4605+/-625 m; meant+/-SD second half 4415+/-634 m). The data for both groups of players were combined to evaluate positional differences in the workrate profile. Midfield players covered a significantly greater (p<0.05) distance than forward players (midfield, 9826+/-1031 m; forwards, 7736+/-929 m) and defenders covered a greater (p<0.05) distance jogging backwards than forward players (defenders, 276+/-155 m; forwards, 68+/-25 m). Forwards sprint
ed a greater distance (p<0.05) than defensive players (defenders, 231+/-142 m; forwards, 557+/-142 m). Mean somatotype was a balanced mesomorph (2-51/2-2). Body mass and muscle mass was related to the total distance covered (r=0.43, r=--0.53, p<0.05). Conclusions. Based on these data, it seems that an individual's work-rate profile is dependent upon the type of competition and the playing position. Relationships between anthropometric profile and work-rate are complex due to the interaction between the variables that determine work-rate.
KEY WORDS: Adiposity - Muscle Mass - Playing position Somatotype - Work-rate.
The physiological demands of soccer can be estimated by making relevant observations during matchplay by obtaining physiological measures during real and simulated games.' The application of time and motion analysis to soccer entails the objective recording and interpretation of match events. The total distance covered during a game has been employed as an overall index of work-rate, based on energy expenditure being directly related to total work output.2 Such motion-analysis procedures provide a gross approximation of the demands of the game, even though the activity pattern is intermittent and embraces frequent changes in activity. The data, as...