2021 Volume 18 Pages 81-91
This investigation primarily aimed to quantify the movement profiles of soccer matches according to playing positions and tactical formations in the Japanese professional football league using the global navigation satellite system (GNSS). Over three years, 758 observations were obtained from 125 official matches of the second division of the Japanese professional football league. Data were integrated into tactical formations and playing positions. Match activity was assessed by the validating GNSS (OptimEye X4; Catapult Sports). Furthermore, the duration and distance of activities at different speed thresholds (>19.8, >24, and 19.8-24 km/h) were assessed. The duration and distance of activities at all speed thresholds significantly differed with respect to tactical formations and playing positions (p<0.05). Significant interactions between tactical formations and playing positions were identified when the total distance and distance at 19.8-24 km/h threshold were assessed (p<0.05). Additionally, the 3-5-2 tactical system and central defender playing position significantly differed from the other systems and positions (p<0.05). A shorter distance in the central defender playing position and a longer distance in the 3-5-2 tactical formation were significantly different features in match movement characteristics in the Japanese professional football league.
