Borko Katanic1, Dusko Bjelica2, Mijo Curic3, Azra Tojaga4, Marin Corluka5, Mima Stankovic6
1Montenegrin Sports Academy, Podgorica, Montenegro
2University of Montenegro, Faculty for Sport and Physical Education, Niksic, Montenegro
3University of Osijek, Faculty of Kinesiology, Osijek, Croatia
4University of Mostar, Faculty of Health Studies, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
5University of Mostar, Faculty of Science and Education, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina
6University of Nis, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, Nis, Serbia
Differences in Running Performance of Football Players Compared to Higher- and Lower-Ranked Opposing Teams in the Montenegrin First League
Sport Mont 2025, 23(2), Ahead of Print | DOI: 10.26773/smj.250609
Abstract
Match running performance (MRP) of football players is one of the most frequently analyzed parameters in modern football. However, it remains unclear whether MRP depends on the quality of the opponent. This longitudinal study aimed to determine whether there are differences in the running performance of football players based on the quality of the opposing team. The performance of the FK Buducnost (Podgorica) team was analyzed over ten league matches, five against top-ranked teams and five against teams from the lower half of the Montenegrin First League table during the 2022/23 season. Using Global Positioning System Technology (GPS; K-Sport Universal, Montelabbate, Italy), various movement parameters were examined, including distance at high-intensity speed (14–19 km/h), distance at very high-intensity speed (19–25 km/h), distance at sprinting speed (>25 km/h), total distance, number of sprints, distance at very high acceleration (>3 m/s²), distance at very high deceleration (<-3 m/s²), distance per minute, maximum speed, number of accelerations (>3 m/s²), number of decelerations (<-3 m/s²), average heart rate (HR average), and maximum heart rate (HR max). An independent Student’s t-test showed no significant differences between the groups in any parameters, indicating that MRP did not vary based on the quality of the opposing team. The findings suggest that players maintain a similar level of running performance regardless of whether they compete against stronger or weaker teams within the same competition level. Future research should further explore differences in relation to the competition level of football players.
Keywords
match running performance, soccer, opponent ranking, physical fitness, high-speed running
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