Kinematic and Technical Parameters Performed by Soccer Player According Playing Positions and its Relation with Sport Performance in World Cup Brazil 2014

Abstract

Objective: to determine the kinematic and technical parameters performed by soccer players according to their playing position that were related with sport performance of teams in the World Cup 2014. Material and Methods: The data reported by FIFA of 350 soccer players and 793 observations obtained during the competition were used. The playing positions were classified as: defenses, midfielders and forwards. Three statistical analyses were performed: Pearson correlations, multiple linear regressions and independent samples t-tests. Results: The distance traveled in meters per minute by the midfielders (r= 0,226; p=0,017) and forwards (r=0,247; p=0,002) when the team had possession of the ball and the number of goals scored by the defenders (r=0,193; p= 0,042) correlated slightly with team performance. The displacements performed at medium intensity, as well as the total distance traveled and the distance traveled by the forwards when the team had possession of the ball, were the physical efforts that most predicted the performance of the teams (R2=0,19, p<0,001). Conclusion: The distance traveled by the players of each player`s position when the team had possession of the ball as well as the goals scored and passes completed by the defenders, were significantly related to the team's performance. In addition, the physical efforts at medium intensity performed by the forwards and the distance traveled when his team had a ball position, explained 19% of the team's performance.