Abstract
Soccer is a high-intensity intermittent sport that places a significant stress upon both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems, with constant fluctuations between low and high-intensity exercise. Male soccer players, at an elite level, typically cover around 11–13 km per match. In addition, the total distance covered is position-dependent, with central midfielders typically covering the highest and central defenders the lowest distances (Bradley et al., 2009). Having said that, distances covered at higher intensities may be more relevant and related to key match activities than total distance. Distances covered at speeds greater than 20 km.h-1 are observed to be approximately 1,150 m, with around 60 sprints performed per match. Furthermore, within the match players perform utility and game-specific movements with more than 1,200 unpredictable changes in activity, which also comprises ~700 turns and 30–40 tackles and jumps (Bloomfield et al., 2007).