Bradley, PS, Archer, DT, Hogg, B, Schuth, G, Bush, M, Carling, C and Barnes, C (2016) Tier-specific evolution of match performance characteristics in the English Premier League: it's getting tougher at the top. JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCES, 34 (10). pp. 980-987. ISSN 0264-0414

Text EVOEPL3_Alan_suggestions_no_names cc comments 1905-1_pb.pdf - Accepted Version Download (122kB)

Abstract

This study investigated the evolution of physical and technical performances in the English Premier League (EPL), with special reference to league ranking. Match performance observations (n = 14,700) were collected using a multiple-camera computerised tracking system across seven consecutive EPL seasons (2006–07 to 2012–13). Final league rankings were classified into Tiers: (A) 1st–4th ranking (n = 2519), (B) 5th–8th ranking (n = 2965), (C) 9th–14th ranking (n = 4448) and (D) 15th–20th ranking (n = 4768). Teams in Tier B demonstrated moderate increases in high-intensity running distance while in ball possession from the 2006–07 to 2012–13 season (P < 0.001; effect size [ES]: 0.68), with Tiers A, C and D producing less pronounced increases across the same period (P < 0.005; ES: 0.26, 0.41 and 0.33, respectively). Large increases in sprint distance were observed from the 2006–07 to 2012–13 season for Tier B (P < 0.001; ES: 1.21), while only moderate increases were evident for Tiers A, C and D (P < 0.001; ES: 0.75, 0.97 and 0.84, respectively). Tier B demonstrated large increases in the number of passes performed and received in 2012–13 compared to 2006–07 (P < 0.001; ES: 1.32–1.53) with small-to-moderate increases in Tier A (P < 0.001; ES: 0.30–0.38), Tier C (P < 0.001; ES: 0.46–0.54) and Tier D (P < 0.001; ES: 0.69–0.87). The demarcation line between 4th (bottom of Tier A) and 5th ranking (top of Tier B) in the 2006–07 season was 8 points, but this decreased to just a single point in the 2012–13 season. The data demonstrate that physical and technical performances have evolved more in Tier B than any other Tier in the EPL and could indicate a narrowing of the performance gap between the top two Tiers.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in JOURNAL OF SPORTS SCIENCES on 11/9/15 available online: http://www.tandfonline.com10.1080/02640414.2015.1082614
Uncontrolled Keywords:	1106 Human Movement And Sports Science, 1302 Curriculum And Pedagogy
Subjects:	R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC1200 Sports Medicine G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV561 Sports
Divisions:	Sport & Exercise Sciences
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Related URLs:	Author
Date Deposited:	04 Apr 2016 15:32
Last Modified:	02 Aug 2022 14:41
DOI or Identification number:	10.1080/02640414.2015.1082614
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/3370

Actions (login required)

View Item