Distância percorrida pelos jogadores na Copa do Mundo de Futebol 2018: análise global e circunstancial

Abstract

Distance covered is a vital variable in performance analysis in soccer. Over the years, it has been studied decoupled from other match features, such as technique and tactics. Therefore, the main goal of this study was analyzing the distance covered by players in 2018 World Cup matches in the phases of attack and defense. In order to reach the specific goals, the analyses were divided into two sets: global analysis and circumstantial analysis. The sample was comprised of 1,661 records of 555 players of the 32 national teams participating in the World Cup. It was noteworthy that there is significant Pearson correlation between participation time and distance covered. Hence, the distance covered was normalized by the period of 96 minutes per match so that all the records would be analyzed globally and circumstantially according to team ranking and match results. The results were showcased as mean in some cases of mode and standard deviation. As for comparison of means, a one-factor or two-factor variance analysis was carried out, according to the case, followed by the Turkey test (p < 0,05).In general, the players covered 10.1 km per match (mediums = 10.71 km, forwards 10.20 km and defenders = 9.47 km). The distance covered in offensive phase was longer for the mediums who covered 4.02 km and forwards who covered 3.99 km – defenders covered a shorter distance, totaling 3.42 km. In defensive phase, the outcome was higher even for midfielders – with 4.38 km covered – followed by forwards, with 3.90 km covered – alongside defenders, who covered 3.88 km. Under such circumstance, the total distance covered by both qualified and unqualified teams remains the same. However, in offensive phase, the qualified teams covered 3.94 km and the unqualified ones covered 3.58 km. In turn, in defensive phase the classified teams covered 3.98 km and the unclassified ones covered 4.25 km. In even results, the highest distance was covered – 4.24 km – followed by defeat – 4.06 km – and victory – 4.04 km in defensive phase. By contrast, in offensive phase, 4 km were covered in even results, 3.82 km were covered in victory, and 3.72 km, the shortest distance, was covered in defeat.