Physical activity of football players in different speed modes and tactical formations

Background and Study Aim. The relevance of the study is stipulated by the search for criteria for assessing the playing activity of football players based on the distance covered in the mode of individual threshold of maximum running speed (PD>70%). The goal is to find out the features of the physical activity of football players in different speed modes and PD>70% during the game in the 1-4-1-4-1 and 1-5-4-1 tactical formations. Materials and Methods. The total distance (TD), the length of the distance run at low intensity, less than 14.4 km/h (LIR), in the running mode 14.41-19.8 km/h (R), with high, more than 19.8-25.2 km/h (HSR) speed and sprint - 25.21 km/h (SD) were determined in 15 football players, using the GPS system. Additionally, the distance in high-speed running HSR+SD (VHIR) and the distance in the PD>70% mode were studied. The results of the distance run in the 1-4-1-4-1 and 1-5-4-4-1 tactical formations, per game and in the first and second half, were compared. The number of observations was 30 (n=189). Results. Comparison of the distance in the running mode TD, LIR, R and SD in football players in the 1-4-1-4-1 and 1-5-4-1 tactical formations did not reveal any significant differences (p>0.05). The distance per game in the 1-4-1-4-1 tactical formation for the high-speed mode VHIR was statistically significantly greater (p=0.023) than in the formation 1-5-4-1. In the 1-5-4-1 tactical formation, the distance covered by players in the running mode VHIR was statistically significantly greater in the first than in the second half (p=0.045). Comparison of the results for the parameter of intensive running PD>70% in the conditions of different tactical schemes showed significant differences in the volume of motor activity of football players. This is confirmed by a statistically significant greater distance in the mode of intensive running PD>70% for the 1-4-1-4-1 tactical formation per game (p=0.012) than in the 1-5-4-1 formation. Also, in the 1-5-4-1 tactical formation we found a statistically significant greater distance in PD>70%1 compared to PD>70%2 (p=0.002). Comparison of the results for the parameter of intensive running PD>70% in the conditions of different tactical formations showed significant differences in the volume of motor activity of football players. This is confirmed by a statistically significant greater distance in the mode of intensive running PD>70% for the 1-4-1-4-1 tactical formation per game (p=0.012) than in the 1-5-4-1 formation. Besides, in the 1-5-4-1 tactical formation, we found a statistically significant greater distance in PD>70%1 compared to PD>70%2 (p=0.002). Conclusions. The studies have found that playing in the 1-4-1-4-1 and 1-5-4-1 tactical formations does not make any significant differences in the amount of total motor activity TD and in the low LIR, R intensity and SD running mode. Analysis of the motor activity of football players in the 1-4-1-4-1 tactical formation revealed a significant advantage in the distance covered in running mode according to the parameter of the individual threshold of maximum speed PD>70% and HSR and high intensity VHIR, compared to the 1-5-4-1 game formation.