Introduction: Optimal physical preparation of elite players has become an inseparable part of professional soccer, especially with regard to the increasing physical demands of modern match-play (Yue et al. 2014). Tracking the performance of players in different positions on the pitch allows us to determine factors affecting a successful match outcome. The aim of the study was to determine the activity profile of soccer forwards with regard to match outcome. Methods: Physical and technical match performance (PTMP) data were collected from 91 forwards from the German Bundesliga during the 2014/2015 domestic season. 516 individual match observations were made with regard to match outcome: won, drawn, loss. The analysis was carried out using the Impire AG motion analysis system (Tiendemann et al. 2011) with records of all PTMP of players in all 306 Bundesliga matches. 65 players` parameters recorded by the system were examined. Results: In the won matches the forwards featured significantly higher (p 0.05) measures of total covered distance in match-play and distances covered with intensities of 11-14 km/h, 21-24 km/h, and above 24 km/h than in the lost and drawn matches. Similar differences were found in the number and length of sprints and in mean running speed (p 0.01). The match motion analysis showed that in won matches the forwards also attained a significantly higher number of ball touches (p 0.001), % of accurate passes, and % of won oneon-one plays (p 0.05) than in drawn and lost matches. Discussion: The performance parameters of studied forwards` have a decisive impact on match outcome as their levels are much higher in matches won by the forwards` teams. If a notational analyst or a coach has identified that physical and technical aspects of players` performance are adversely influenced by match outcome, possible causes of this impact can be determined and match preparation can focus on reducing such effects (Nasis et al. 2015). Thus, researchers should include match outcome and playing positions in their explanatory models in order to better understand why physical demands vary throughout the game (Lago 2009). The outcome of a soccer match depends to a great extent on forwards` efficiency, and the results of the present study may be used for advancement of physical and technical preparations of forwards in soccer (Carling 2010).
© Copyright 2016 21st Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Vienna, 6. -9. July 2016. Veröffentlicht von University of Vienna. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.