This approach finds distinct physical performance patterns in football players, suggesting training should focus on physical aspects for team success.
This study aimed to identify distinct external load profiles of 23 semi-professional football players (22.52 ± 1.74 years) during four official matches (40 cases in total; 10 per match). Using GPS-based inertial technology WIMU PRO (Hudl, Lincoln, NE, USA), data were collected to analyze players’ physical performance. A principal component analysis (PCA) identified three performance profiles—“Total Player,” “Explosive Player,” and “Dynamic Player”—that together explained 70.08% of the variance. These profiles revealed that players may share similar physical characteristics despite occupying different on-field positions. Training players based on their physical performance profiles, rather than solely on their tactical roles, may enhance both individual development and overall team performance. This approach offers a novel framework for individualized conditioning in team sports.
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Campos-Redondo et al. (2025) studied this question.
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