Do the Competitions Played During Congested Weeks Influence the External Load of Spanish Soccer Teams? Analysis by Match Playing Time
David Lobo-Triviño, Tomás García-Calvo, Jorge Polo-Tejada, Javier Raya-González, Roberto López del Campo, Ricardo Resta, Aldo A. Vasquez-Bonilla

TL;DR
This study shows that the type of soccer competition and how much players play affects their physical workload during matches, especially during busy weeks.
Contribution
The study introduces a detailed analysis of external load differences based on competition type and individual playing time during congested weeks in professional soccer.
Findings
Players in non-congested weeks covered less very low-speed and low-speed running compared to congested weeks.
League congested weeks resulted in higher total distance than Champions League and non-congested weeks.
Non-Starters in Cup congested weeks showed higher very high-speed running than Champions League and non-congested weeks.
Abstract
This study aimed to examine differences in external load among professional soccer players during congested weeks across different competition types (League, Cup, and Champions League (UCL)), considering individual match playing time. A retrospective, descriptive, and longitudinal analysis was conducted using external load data from 120 players belonging to the top five teams in the Spanish LaLiga during the 2023/24 season, including 2,671 match observations. Players were categorised by playing time (Starters, Replaced, Fringe, and Non-Starters), and weeks were classified as non-congested (NCON) or congested (CON), with further distinction by competition type. External load metrics were recorded using the Mediacoach® tracking system and analysed through Linear Mixed Models. Results indicated that players in NCON weeks covered significantly less distance at very low-speed running (VLSR)…
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Taxonomy
TopicsSports Performance and Training · Sports Analytics and Performance · Sports Dynamics and Biomechanics
