More Time in Play, Not More High-Intensity; The Influence of Effective Playing Time on Match Running Performance in Elite Soccer

This study aimed to examine the influence of effective playing time (EPT) on match running performance (MRP) in elite soccer players competing in the UEFA Champions League (UCL), while controlling for contextual factors. In total, 1371 individual observations, involving 437 outfield players, participating in 32 teams, were collected from 122 matches using an optical tracking system. The MRP variables included total distance (TD), low- (LIR), moderate- (MIR), and high-intensity running (HIR). Linear mixed models were applied, with match outcome, match location, and opponent quality included as fixed effects, and player and team identity as random effects. The results showed that EPT significantly influenced TD (f=5.01–14.20, all p<0.01) and LIR (f=3.23–21.93, all p<0.05) across most playing positions, with players covering 9–10% greater distances in matches with very long EPT compared to very short EPT. In contrast, no significant effects of EPT were observed for MIR and HIR across any playing position. These findings indicated that longer EPT primarily increased overall activity, mainly through low-intensity activities, while moderate- and high-intensity activities remained relatively stable. Importantly, this pattern was consistent across players from multiple national contexts. From a practical perspective, EPT should be considered when planning and monitoring overall load, whereas moderate- and high-intensity activities should be systematically developed and maintained through training independent of EPT.