Factors involved in football success: an educational experience

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether there were any differences between a professional football team's wins (9 matches) and loses (9 matches) in a season in terms of some parameters in Turkish Spor Toto First League. During the total of 18 matches in the competitions, 7 parameters were analysed. The data were analysed in terms of total accelerations (in number), total decelerations (in number), distance (m), impact (in number), sprint distance (m) and average of top speed (km/h). The data were gathered using Playertek GPS tracking device during the matches by the same researcher. As the data showed normal distribution in the statistical analysis, Paired Sample T-Test was applied. The results showed that while there was not a significant difference (p>0.05) in terms of total accelerations (in number), total decelerations (in number), impact (in number), sprint distance (m) and average of top speed (km/h) between the defeats and wins of a professional football team, in terms of distance (m) parameter there found significant difference (p<0.05). Considering this information, it can be stated that distance can be a determinant in a football game score.