Differences in Physical Load Between Matches and Positional Games in Soccer - FSI Lab

In the world of professional soccer, understanding the physical demands placed on players during both competition and training is key to optimizing performance and minimizing the risk of injuries. A recent study published in the European Journal of Sport Science analyzed the physical load in positional games and compared it to that of official matches, revealing crucial information for coaches, fitness trainers, and technical staff.

FSI Lab Team · @fsitraining_

March 20, 2025 |

8 minutes

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This research was conducted by the following professionals:

José Asian: Academic Director of FSI Training.
José Vicente Beltran-Garrido: PhD from the University of Lleida (UdL). Graduate in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences from the National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia.
Bernardo Requena: Co-founder of FSI Training and fitness coach with experience at clubs like Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao, as well as a personal fitness coach for professional soccer players.

This work was developed by FSI Lab, the research, development, and outreach branch of the Football Science Institute. The study analyzes how positional games affect the physical load of soccer players compared to official matches, providing key insights to optimize training in professional soccer.

The Study: Methods and Objectives

The study examined 25 players from a Spanish professional team, evaluating their physical load during 37 official matches and 18 training sessions with positional games.

These games were designed in three formats based on field size: small (50.8 m² per player), medium (80.5 m²), and large (115.9 m²). The players’ load was measured using GPS, analyzing variables such as distance covered, peak speed, and accelerations/decelerations.

The main objective was to determine whether positional games could replicate the physical demands of a real match, helping coaches structure more effective training sessions.

Key Findings

Official matches present higher physical demands:

In all positions, official matches showed greater distance covered at speeds above 21 km/h.
Higher peak speeds were reached in competition compared to positional games.
Low-intensity accelerations and decelerations (<<3 m/s²) were significantly more frequent in matches.

Positional games impose different demands depending on their size:

Small games generate a higher number of high-intensity accelerations and decelerations >(>3 m/s²) but do not reach the speed and distance demands of a match.
Medium games reflect patterns similar to official matches in certain positions, especially fullbacks and forwards.
Large games allow for greater distance covered, approaching the physical demands of real matches, though with differences in effort distribution.

Differences based on player position:

Central defenders and defensive midfielders experience less physical load in positional games than in matches.
Wingers and forwards face greater speed and acceleration demands in competition than in positional game training.
Fullbacks and attacking midfielders have physical demands that vary depending on the size of the positional game.

Implications for Training

This study confirms that positional games do not always replicate the physical demands of official matches. For technical staff, this implies that:

Positional games should be adapted based on training objectives. If the goal is to improve speed endurance and sprinting capacity, complementary exercises or increasing the playing area should be considered.
Training sessions must take into account the specific position of the player. For example, wingers and forwards may need additional high-speed and change-of-pace work.
Positional games can be useful in the days leading up to a match. Since they impose a lower load than matches, they can be used to activate players without generating excessive fatigue.

Conclusions of the Study

The analysis of physical load in positional games and its comparison to official matches provides key tools for designing more effective training sessions in professional soccer. The results show that while these exercises are essential for tactical preparation, they must be complemented with other practices to ensure players are physically prepared for the demands of real matches.

Para los entrenadores y preparadores físicos, este estudio reafirma la necesidad de analizar los datos de carga física y ajustar los entrenamientos para maximizar el rendimiento y minimizar el riesgo de lesión en cada posición del campo.

FSI Lab and Its Scientific Commitment

This work represents another step in FSI Lab’s commitment to applied sports research. Led by distinguished professionals like the authors of this study, we reaffirm our mission to generate knowledge that drives sporting excellence.