PURPOSE: To investigate match-to-match variability of physical and technical performances in English Premier League (EPL) players and to quantify the influence of positional and contextual factors.METHODS:
Match data (n=451) were collected using a multi-camera computerised tracking system across multiple seasons (2005-06 to 2012-13). The coefficient of variation (CV) was calculated from match-to-match for physical and technical performances in selected positions across different match contexts (location, standard and result).
RESULTS: Wide midfielders demonstrated the greatest CVs for total distance (4.9±5.9%) whilst central midfielders the smallest (3.6±2.0%), nevertheless all positions exhibited CVs <5% (p>0.05, ES: 0.1-0.3). Central defenders demonstrated the greatest CVs and wide midfielders the lowest for both high-intensity running (20.2±8.8% and 13.7±7.7%, p<0.05, ES: 0.4-0.8) and sprint distance (32.3±13.8% and 22.6±11.2%, p<0.05, ES: 0.5-0.8). Technical indicators such as tackles (83.7±42.3%), possession won (47.2±27.9%) and interceptions (59.1±37.3%) illustrated substantial variability for attackers compared to all other positions (p<0.05, ES: 0.4-1.1). Central defenders demonstrated large variability for the number of times tackled per match (144.9±58.3%), passes attempted and received compared to other positions (39.2±17.5% and 46.9±20.2%, p<0.001, ES: 0.6-1.8). Contextual factors had limited impact on the variability of physical and technical parameters.
CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrate that technical parameters varied more from match-to-match than physical parameters. Defensive players (full backs and central defenders) displayed higher CVs for offensive technical variables, whilst attacking players (attackers and wide midfielders) exhibited higher CVs for defensive technical variables. Physical and technical performances are variable per se regardless of context.