Three-Season Analysis of Physical Performance in Professional English Football: Influence of Match Outcome, Match Location, and Players' Position During Official Competitions

Abstract Beato, M, Allen, M, Jamil, M, and VicensBordas, J. Three-season analysis of physical performance in professional English football: Influence of match outcome, match location, and players' position during official competitions. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—This study presents a unique longitudinal analysis of physical performance across 3 consecutive seasons of the same professional English football club, capturing its progression from League One to the Championship and ultimately to the Premier League. Using official match data, the investigation aimed to determine how physical performance metrics are influenced by contextual factors including match outcome, location, and playing position. Players ( n = 49) were categorized into 5 positional groups: center backs, wing backs, center midfielders, attacking midfielders, and strikers. Matches were classified by outcome (win, draw, loss) and location (home, away), with player positions assigned based on in-game roles. Global navigation satellite systems-derived metrics included total distance covered, high-speed running (HSR), sprinting distance, and high-intensity distance (HID), alongside counts of high-intensity accelerations and decelerations. Significant effects were found for season ( p = 0.005), match outcome ( p = 0.031), and position ( p < 0.001) on total distance; for season ( p < 0.001), match outcome ( p = 0.010), and position ( p < 0.001) on HSR; and for season ( p < 0.001), match outcome ( p = 0.024), and position ( p < 0.001) on sprinting distance. High-intensity distance was significantly influenced by season ( p < 0.001), match outcome ( p = 0.009), and position ( p < 0.001). Accelerations ( p = 0.004) and decelerations ( p < 0.001) were significantly affected only by position. Match location showed no significant effect except on sprinting distance. These findings highlight the increasing physical demands across competitive tiers and emphasize the importance of tailoring physical preparation to both league level and positional requirements.