The Evolution of Physical and Technical Performance Parameters in the English Premier League

This study examined the evolution of physical and technical soccer performance across a 7-season period in the English Premier League. Match performance observations (n=14700) were analysed for emergent trends. Total distance covered during a match was similar to 2% lower in 2006-07 compared to 2012-13. Across 7 seasons, high-intensity running distance and actions increased by similar to 30% (890 +/- 299 vs. 1151 +/- 337m, p<0.001; ES: 0.82) and similar to 50% (118 +/- 36 vs. 176 +/- 46, p<0.001; ES: 1.41), respectively. Sprint distance and number of sprints increased by similar to 35% (232 +/- 114 vs. 350 +/- 139m, p<0.001; ES: 0.93) and similar to 85% (31 +/- 14 vs. 57 +/- 20, p<0.001; ES: 1.46), respectively. Mean sprint distance was shorter in 2012-13 compared to 2006-07 (5.9 +/- 0.8 vs. 6.9 +/- 1.3m, p<0.001; ES: 0.91), with the proportion of explosive sprints increasing (34 +/- 11 vs. 47 +/- 9%, p<0.001; ES: 1.31). Players performed more passes (35 +/- 17 vs. 25 +/- 13, p<0.001; ES: 0.66) and successful passes (83 +/- 10% vs. 76 +/- 13%, p<0.001; ES: 0.60) in 2012-13 compared to 2006-07. Whereas the number of short and medium passes increased across time (p<0.001; ES>0.6), the number of long passes varied little (p<0.001; ES: 0.11). This data demonstrates evolution of physical and technical parameters in the English Premier League, and could be used to aid talent identification, training and conditioning preparation.