What does this research mean for the field?

In professional female soccer, playing position significantly dictates external and internal physical loads during both training and matches, with central and wide forwards experiencing the highest demands. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine variations in external and internal load across playing positions and evaluate workload distribution across the weekly training microcycle in female soccer.

August 22, 2026International Journal of Sports Science & CoachingOpen Access

Load distribution and positional demands in female soccer: An analysis of training and match play

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To examine variations in external and internal load across playing positions and evaluate workload distribution across the weekly training microcycle in female soccer.
Monitored N=21 professional female soccer players (3 center backs, 5 full backs, 6 central midfielders, 3 wide forwards, and 4 central forwards) across 128 training sessions and 19 matches.
Tracked external load using GPS technology and assessed internal load using the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) relative to match day (MD).
Central forwards and wide forwards covered greater total distances and completed more accelerations and decelerations than other playing positions in both training and matches.
Training load varied across the microcycle, with MD-1 generating the lowest volume (36.3% of match load) and peak training loads occurring at MD-2 (63.6%) and MD-3 (56.8%).

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Implication

Observational study reveals positional differences in workload across training microcycles in female soccer players, highlighting the need for tailored conditioning.

Cite This Study

Freitas et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895fc4ca7ade938187e9cf https://doi.org/10.1177/17479541261479186

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Implication

Observational study reveals positional differences in workload across training microcycles in female soccer players, highlighting the need for tailored conditioning.

Load distribution and positional demands in female soccer: An analysis of training and match play

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

Load distribution and positional demands in female soccer: An analysis of training and match play

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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