Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology
External Load During Warm-Up and Early-Match Running Performance of Starting and Substitute Football Players: A Within-Player Comparison
By Gabriele Bagattini, Luis Jesús Suarez-Arrones, Manuele Ferrini and 1 others.
Abstract
Objectives
This study aimed to: (1) compare the absolute and relative external load during the warm-up of starting and substitute professional football players; (2) describe the subsequent running performance during the first 15 min of match play; and (3) quantify the within-player variability of the warm-up (WU) external load between roles.
Methods
Sixteen professional male players (Swiss Second Division) were monitored using 10 Hz GPS units across 13 official matches (106 observations). Starters completed a standardized ~25 min on-field warm-up, while substitutes performed a cyclical sideline warm-up. Running performance was analysed during the first 15 min of play and across three consecutive 5 min intervals (0–5, 5–10, and 10–15 min) in the same players under both match-entry conditions: starters and substitutes.