A systematic review of match-play characteristics in women’s soccer
A summary of the research:
The article titled "A Systematic Review of Match-Play Characteristics in Women’s Soccer" systematically reviews scientific literature on the physical, technical, and tactical aspects of women’s soccer. The primary goal of the study is to consolidate findings on the match-play characteristics across various levels of competition, from youth to senior players, including international and domestic matches. The authors analyzed 69 studies that measured the match-play characteristics, with an emphasis on variables like total distance covered, speed thresholds, and the effect of contextual factors such as match location and environment. Despite a wealth of data on physical performance, the review highlighted gaps in research related to tactical and technical performance, as well as inconsistencies in the methodologies used to assess performance metrics.
In their analysis, the authors found that physical performance in women’s soccer varies by age group, playing position, and level of competition, with players at higher levels covering more distance at greater intensities. However, there are significant methodological differences between studies, especially in how they define speed zones and use technology like GPS tracking. The review concludes that future research should take a more integrated approach to physical, technical, and tactical analysis, as isolating one aspect of play provides an incomplete understanding of match performance. It also suggests that standardizing methodologies could improve the comparability of studies and provide clearer insights for coaches and practitioners.
Key Takeaways:
Physical performance increases with age and competitive level, with senior and international players displaying greater endurance and speed during matches compared to younger or less experienced players.
Inconsistencies in methodology, such as varying speed thresholds and use of tracking technology, make it difficult to compare studies, limiting the development of standardized training protocols.
Gaps in research exist regarding tactical and technical aspects, which are equally important for understanding overall match performance but are less frequently studied than physical characteristics.
Authors: Alice Harkness-Armstrong, Kevin Till, Naomi Datson, Naomi Myhill, & Stacey Emmonds
You can find the article here
