GPS-based analysis of high-intensity performance by playing position in Italian female soccer players

Introduction: In recent years, scientific interest in performance analysis in female soccer has increased. Is already know that physical demands are strongly influenced by playing position and that external load tends to decrease in the second half, particularly for total distance, high-speed running, and decelerations. Recent methodological developments using GPS data, have highlighted the importance of individual monitoring in optimising performance and preventing fatigue. Methods: Seventeen semi-professional female outfield soccer players (mean ± SD: age, 20.6 ± 6.0 years; stature, 161.4 ± 4.1 cm; mass, 57.5 ± 7.7 kg) were enrolled in the study. Only players who completed at least 70 minutes in each official match were included in the analysis. A total of 24 official matches from the regular season were analysed. Performance parameters, including highspeed running distance (HSR; > 16 km·h-1), high-intensity acceleration distance (HI ACC; > 2 m·s- 2), and high metabolic power distance (HMPD) were collected using 50 Hz GPS units (K-Sport, Italy). In addition, metabolic power was classified into intensity zone (0 – 10, 10 – 20, 20 – 35, 35 – 55, >55 W·kg-1). Performance parameters were compared between the first half (T1) and the second half (T2) of each match, and positional differences were evaluated according to playing role. Results: Overall, performance parameters decreased significantly in T2 compared with T1. Considering playing position, forwards showed a dramatic reduction in T2 especially in HSR (476.4 ± 79.3 m vs 414.8 ± 83.3 m, p < 0.01), HI ACC (204.5 ± 282 m vs 166.5 ± 26.7 m; p < 0.01), and HMPD (955.9 ± 124.9 to 789.8 ± 138.5 m; p < 0.01) that decrease in a statistically significant level. In contrast, defenders showed a small reductions (HSR from 249.2 ± 39.9 m to 244.9 ± 42.9 m, HI ACC from 144.9 ± 17.9 m to 131.8 ± 19.6 m, and HMPD from 632.3 ± 55.1 to 592.9 ± 65.3 m) as well as midfielders (HSR decreased from 352.3 ± 69.7 m to 347.2 ± 56.9 m, HI ACC from 170.1 ± 17.9 m to 152.9 ± 18.8 m, and HMPD from 852.8 ± 80.6 to 787.8 ± 78.3 m) but not in a statistical significant level. Conclusions: These results indicate a clear reduction in high-intensity performance parameters in semi-professional female soccer players in the second half of matches, with forwards exhibiting the greatest reductions compared to midfielders and defenders. These highlighted fatigue effects emphasize the need for targeted training to maintain high-intensity efforts, including repeated sprints, accelerations, and fatigue resistance throughout matches.(Valzolgher et al., 2026)