Can different scores in first and second halves influence running 
and explosive-based measures?

Ryland Morgans; John Radnor; Jon Oliver; Jule Scholten; Piotr Zmijewski; Ronan Kavanagh; Ben Ryan; Chris Haslam; Matthew King; Rafael Oliveira

doi:10.5114/biolsport.2025.144296

eISSN: 2083-1862
ISSN: 0860-021X

Biology of Sport

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abstract:

Original paper

Can different scores in first and second halves influence running and explosive-based measures?

Ryland Morgans

¹

,

John Radnor

¹

,

Jon Oliver

¹

,

Jule Scholten

^{1, 2}

,

Piotr Zmijewski

³

,

Ronan Kavanagh

⁴

,

Ben Ryan

²

,

Chris Haslam

²

,

Matthew King

²

,

Rafael Oliveira

^{5, 6}

School of Sport and Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, UK
Brentford FC Football Research Centre, Brentford FC, London, UK
Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 00-809 Warsaw, Poland
Football Performance Hub, School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE, UK
Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development (CIDESD), Santarém Polytechnic University, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal
Santarém Polytechnic University, School of Sport, 2040-413 Rio Maior, Portugal

Biol Sport. 2025;42(2):169–175

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2025.144296

Online publish date: 2024/10/23

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This study aimed to examine the influence of different scores in the first and second half on running and explosive-based performance of elite male soccer players. Thirty-three professional players from one English Premier League team participated in the study across two consecutive seasons, 2021/22 and 2022/23. Matches were divided into half (first versussecond) and nine phases; WIN-WIN; WIN-DRAW; WIN-LOSS; DRAW-WIN; DRAW-DRAW; DRAW-LOSS; LOSS-WIN; LOSS-DRAW; and LOSS-LOSS. Match physical data were monitored using an 18 Hz Global Positioning System. There was a main effect for half for all variables (p < 0.001–0.008; η² = 0.004–0.028), with distances covered per minute and number of explosive actions per minute greater in the first-half than second-half (d = 0.144–0.374). There was an interaction effect between half and phase for m/min, high-speed running per min, high metabolic load distance (HMLD) per min, HML efforts/min, and accelerations/min (p < 0.001 0.012; η² = 0.010–0.015). There was a reduction between first-half and second-half performance during WIN-WIN, WIN-DRAW, DRAW-WIN, DRAW-DRAW, LOSE-WIN, and LOSE LOSE for m/min (p < 0.001; d = 0.435–0.714), HMLD/min (p < 0.001–0.004; d = 0.334–0.605), and HML efforts/min (p < 0.001; d = 0.408–0.611). In conclusion, our findings emphasise the importance of considering both match half and phase when analysing players’ physical performance to support the prescription of tailored training programs and tactical strategies to optimise performance across different match situations.

keywords:

Can different scores in first and second halves influence running and explosive-based measures?

Ryland Morgans 1 , John Radnor 1 , Jon Oliver 1 , Jule Scholten 1, 2 , Piotr Zmijewski 3 , Ronan Kavanagh 4 , Ben Ryan 2 , Chris Haslam 2 , Matthew King 2 , Rafael Oliveira 5, 6

External load, Contextual variables, Match result, Match half, Football

Ryland Morgans

¹

,

John Radnor

¹

,

Jon Oliver

¹

,

Jule Scholten

^{1, 2}

,

Piotr Zmijewski

³

,

Ronan Kavanagh

⁴

,

Ben Ryan

²

,

Chris Haslam

²

,

Matthew King

²

,

Rafael Oliveira

^{5, 6}