External loading is dependent upon game state and varies by position in professional women’s soccer

Objectives: This investigation examined relationships between game state and external loading in professional women’s soccer. Methods: Match motion and accelerometer data were collected and used to determine running distance, high-speed distance, number of high-speed runs, number of sprints, and total player load (AU). These data were compared by game state (draw 0–0, leading, trailing, or drawing where the score was not 0–0) and playing position: Full back (FB), center back (CB), center midfield (CM), and forward (FW). Results: External loading was not dependent upon game state for FW. Total distance (d = 0.51–0.54), meterage (d = 0.051–0.55), and total player load (d = 0.32–0.76) were less when leading or trailing than when drawn 0–0 for CM. Total distance (d = 0.45–0.80) and meterage (d = 0.31–0.80) were less when leading or trailing than drawing 0–0 for CB. High-speed distance was greater for CB when trailing than when leading (d = 0.62). Total player load for FB was greater (d = 0.49–1.12) when drawn 0–0 than when leading or trailing. Conclusions: Some external loads in women’s professional soccer players are different by position and game state; fatigue or tactical adjustments may influence loading.