Maximum Deceleration Is Related to Players' Ability to Repeat High-Intensity Decelerations in a Match in Female Professional Soccer Players

ABSTRACT: Martínez-Hernández, D, Jones, PA, Oliva-Lozano, JM, and Harper, DJ. Maximum deceleration is related to players' ability to repeat high-intensity decelerations in a match in female professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-The aim of this study was twofold; First, to investigate positional differences in high-intensity decelerations (HID; < -3 m·s-2) and very high-intensity decelerations (VHID; < -4 m·s-2) in elite female soccer players. Second, to examine relationships between maximum deceleration (DMax) and the frequency of HID and VHID throughout competitive match play, reflecting players' capacity to perform these actions repeatedly. Twenty-four professional female outfield players (189 match files) from an English Women's Superleague club were tracked across 27 matches using 10-Hz Global Positioning System devices. Differences in deceleration metrics (DMax, HID, VHID) across positions were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc tests. Pearson's correlations assessed relationships between DMax, HID, and VHID across playing positions. Significant positional differences were observed. Central defenders had the lowest DMax and performed fewer HID and VHID actions than other positions, whereas central midfielder recorded the highest HID values. Maximum deceleration showed moderate-to-large correlations with HID (r = 0.35) and VHID (r = 0.52). Positional and individual variations influenced the strength of these relationships. This study provides novel evidence that maximal deceleration capacity is an important neuromuscular performance quality that distinguishes playing positions in elite women's soccer, with moderate-to-large associations with the ability to perform repeated HID and VHID supporting its relevance to match performance, particularly at higher intensities. These findings suggest that DMax may be an important quality to target through training, with potential implications for repeated deceleration performance. Practitioners should implement position-specific assessments and interventions to optimize deceleration capacity, especially as modern game demands continue to evolve.