Aerobic Fitness Is the Main Determinant of Match-Related Physical Performance Decline in Professional Football Players (Part 2)

Abstract

Antenucci, L, Schmidt, C, and Malatesta, D. Aerobic fitness is the main determinant of match-related physical performance decline in professional football players (part 2). J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000–000, 2026—High-intensity efforts are critical in football performance and declines in running distance and acceleration (ACC) and deceleration (DEC) capacity are often observed after the 60th or 75th minute, partly indicating player fatigue. This study investigated the decline in physical performance during a professional football match and its relationship with physical fitness parameters. Global navigation satellite system data from an entire Swiss first-division season (30 matches) were analyzed for 19 professional football players. The players' speed at the first and second lactate thresholds (sLT ₁ /sLT ₂ ) and peak incremental speed (PIS) were assessed using a maximal incremental treadmill test. The maximal sprint speed (MSS) was determined from match data to calculate the anaerobic speed reserve (ASR = MSS − PIS). The distance covered in low-/high-/very high-speed running (LSR/HSR/VHSR) and sprinting using individual thresholds (<sLT2, sLT2-PIS, PIS-30% ASR, >30% ASR), and the number of ACCs/DECs performed in 4 intensity zones (ACC _1/2/3/4 /DEC _1/2/3/4 : ±0.5–1.0, 1.0–2.0, 2.0–3.0, >3 m·s ⁻² ) were measured across 6 periods (P1-P6) of 15 minutes of matches. The vertical peak power was measured using squat and countermovement jumps. Significant ( p ≤ 0.05) declines (4–27%) were observed after the 60th minute across all running, ACC/DEC intensity zones, and in total distance (TD) and total number of ACCs/DECs (ACC _TOT /DEC _TOT ) counts, except for sprint distance and ACC ₁ /DEC ₁ . Moderate-to-large correlations were found between aerobic fitness (sLTs and PIS) and decreases in TD, ACC _TOT /DEC _TOT , and high-intensity running, ACCs/DECs between P1 (0–15 minutes) and P5 (60–75 minutes) ( r = 0.46–0.67; p ≤ 0.049). Coaches should focus on enhancing players' aerobic fitness to improve their ability to maintain physical performance throughout match-play.