UH-52 Comparing Physical Demands of NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Athletes by Playing Position
SCURS Disciplines
Medicine & Health Sciences
Document Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the differences in physical demands of D1 women’s soccer athletes during the regular season by playing position. METHODS: Data from 16 regular season games during the 2024 competitive season were analyzed from starters, defined as ≥ 45 minutes of play time in ≥ 50% of regular season games. Prior to each game, athletes were fitted with a 10 Hz Global Positioning System (GPS; Catapult Sports), worn between the scapulae in a sports bra. GPS units were activated prior to warm-ups and turned off following the match. Data files were manually adjusted to include only game play and subsequently extracted for analysis using manufacturer software (PlayerTek). To compare physical demands by position, athletes were categorized as: forwards (F), midfielders (MF), or defenders (D). RESULTS: Ten athletes were included in the analysis. Women’s soccer athletes covered a mean distance of 9559 ± 694 m, sprinted 22 ± 7 times, accelerated 60 ± 20 times, decelerated 83 ± 22 times, and reached peak speeds of 26.4 ± 1.6 kmh, resulting in a mean energy expenditure of 1106 ± 132 kcal. F accelerated more than MF and D (p < 0.01). There was a trend for F reaching greater peak speeds compared to MF (p = 0.075) and D (p = 0.063) and sprinting more than D (p = 0.084). However, there was a trend for MF covering greater distance than F (p = 0.064) and D (p = 0.051). Energy expenditure and decelerations were similar between positions. CONCLUSION: During the regular season, physical demands vary by position, likely indicative of the differing tactical requirements between positions.
Keywords
Female Athletes, Women's Soccer, Physical Demands
Start Date
11-4-2025 9:30 AM
Location
University Readiness Center Greatroom
End Date
11-4-2025 11:30 AM
UH-52 Comparing Physical Demands of NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Athletes by Playing Position
University Readiness Center Greatroom
PURPOSE: To assess the differences in physical demands of D1 women’s soccer athletes during the regular season by playing position. METHODS: Data from 16 regular season games during the 2024 competitive season were analyzed from starters, defined as ≥ 45 minutes of play time in ≥ 50% of regular season games. Prior to each game, athletes were fitted with a 10 Hz Global Positioning System (GPS; Catapult Sports), worn between the scapulae in a sports bra. GPS units were activated prior to warm-ups and turned off following the match. Data files were manually adjusted to include only game play and subsequently extracted for analysis using manufacturer software (PlayerTek). To compare physical demands by position, athletes were categorized as: forwards (F), midfielders (MF), or defenders (D). RESULTS: Ten athletes were included in the analysis. Women’s soccer athletes covered a mean distance of 9559 ± 694 m, sprinted 22 ± 7 times, accelerated 60 ± 20 times, decelerated 83 ± 22 times, and reached peak speeds of 26.4 ± 1.6 kmh, resulting in a mean energy expenditure of 1106 ± 132 kcal. F accelerated more than MF and D (p < 0.01). There was a trend for F reaching greater peak speeds compared to MF (p = 0.075) and D (p = 0.063) and sprinting more than D (p = 0.084). However, there was a trend for MF covering greater distance than F (p = 0.064) and D (p = 0.051). Energy expenditure and decelerations were similar between positions. CONCLUSION: During the regular season, physical demands vary by position, likely indicative of the differing tactical requirements between positions.