Beyond the Game: The Factors Influencing Soccer Performance

The Role of Situational Variables

Elite soccer players adjust their physical effort based on the specific demands of individual matches. Research emphasizes the importance of analyzing "situational variables," which are game conditions that influence a player's behavior. These variables include match status (winning, losing, or drawing), the quality of the opposition, and match location (home or away). While it is suggested that these factors influence team and player activities, the exact effect on the distance covered at various speeds remains an area that needs further analysis.

Research Trends and Gaps

A bibliometric analysis of review articles on soccer performance analysis identified five main thematic clusters: physical performance, nutrition, coaching strategies, tactical analysis, and emerging data-driven approaches. The analysis also highlighted significant gaps in the existing literature, particularly in the areas of set pieces, key performance indicators, and contextual variables.

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