Random Thoughts on the Most Demanding Period in Football Matches_Part 2_ Player Profiles (MAS,MSS,ASR)

Marko Matu?inskij Performance Specialist, Lecturer, Product Strategist, Creator of Ultrax HUB

Introduction to the Most Demanding Periods in Football Matches

For some time, Marko Sukreski and I have been deep in discussions about the various demands football players face during matches. Despite the plethora of data and metrics we now gather through tools like GPS tracking, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of how players’ workloads shift across different phases of the game. It's not just about how much data we collect but about interpreting that data in the context of tactical models and time-specific match demands.

A critical focus of our discussions has been identifying how certain time windows—such as the first 15 minutes of play or rolling periods of maximum effort—shape the game’s intensity and influence player performance. This task is anything but simple due to the dynamic nature of football. Tactical shifts, player fatigue, and situational variables all influence the physical demands players experience.

The Concept of MDPs (Most Demanding Periods)

The idea of MDPs has been enriched by insights from several experts in the field. Chris Barnes, in particular, has helped shape my understanding through his profiling system, which categorizes training demands into mechanical, locomotor, and internal loads. This model is further broken down by volume and intensity, creating a comprehensive framework for analyzing player workload.

Conversations with Fabio Nakamura and Aleksa Boskovic also helped solidify our approach. Aleksa shared thoughts on how training drills can replicate these demanding periods, while Mladen Jovanovi? introduced concepts of rolling maximums and clustering workload patterns over time. These insights continue to guide our thinking as we try to map match demands to training design and player development.

Categorizing Maximum Demand Periods

Through brainstorming with ChatGPT, we've begun to classify MDPs based on energy systems or mechanical stress. Here’s a quick overview of the three primary MDP categories:

1. Aerobic MDP Definition: Periods characterized by sustained moderate-to-high intensity activities with lower neuromuscular strain.

2. Glycolytic MDP Definition: High-intensity bursts (lasting 30 seconds to 2 minutes) that engage the anaerobic glycolytic system, leading to the accumulation of metabolic byproducts like lactate.

3. Neuromuscular MDP Definition: Periods of short, explosive efforts placing high stress on the neuromuscular system (e.g., sprints, jumps, directional changes).

Combining MDP Categories

Football rarely fits neatly into one type of demand. Hybrid periods often occur, where aerobic, glycolytic, and neuromuscular loads overlap. These combinations reflect critical game moments like counterattacks and pressing situations, which require sustained effort, high-speed bursts, and repeated explosive actions.

For example:

• Aerobic + Glycolytic MDP: Sustained running with intermittent high-speed actions.
• Aerobic + Neuromuscular MDP: Moderate-intensity running combined with repeated accelerations.
• Glycolytic + Neuromuscular MDP: Repeated sprints and changes in direction under high-intensity conditions.

Practical Application of MDPs

In training sessions, we aim to simulate MDP scenarios to ensure players are prepared for these intense periods. By tailoring drills to match the physical and physiological demands observed in matches, we can optimize player readiness and recovery strategies. Here’s how we might apply each MDP type:

• Aerobic MDP: Small-sided games with sustained effort periods to build endurance.
• Glycolytic MDP: Repeated sprint drills with shorter recovery times.
• Neuromuscular MDP: Explosive drills like plyometrics and sprint accelerations with longer rest intervals.

Next Steps and Insights for Part Two

This blog is only the first part of our exploration into MDPs. Moving forward, I plan to dive deeper into how player profiles (such as hybrid, endurance, and speed profiles) relate to MDP demands.

Recently, I read an insightful article by Carmen on Sportsmith about using anaerobic speed reserve to individualize player training (check it out here: Sportsmith Article on Anaerobic Speed Reserve). I highly recommend this read, as it aligns with our ongoing efforts to understand player workload profiles.

In Part Two, we’ll examine whether these profiles affect MDPs, positional workload trends, and whether we can adapt training programs accordingly. We’ll also explore if MDP profiling can become a valid model or if it is simply a conceptual tool that lacks practical application.

I simulated this dataset by categorizing players based on their Maximum Aerobic Speed (MAS), Maximum Sprint Speed (MSS), and Anaerobic Speed Reserve (ASR). Following the insights from Carmen's article on Sportsmith, players were classified into three profiles: Endurance, Hybrid, and Speed. This classification helps evaluate the varying physical demands placed on players during Most Demanding Periods (MDPs).

To visualize these profiles, I plotted a scatter graph with MAS on the x-axis and MSS on the y-axis, using a quadrant system to highlight player distribution. The scatter plot provides a clear overview of how different profiles relate to speed and endurance characteristics.

You can find numerous research papers where authors describe how different player profiles—endurance, hybrid, and speed—should train, including specific training drills tailored to each profile. These studies often recommend:

• Endurance profile: Focus on continuous running and aerobic conditioning.
• Hybrid profile: Emphasize both aerobic endurance and high-intensity interval training to balance sustained effort with bursts of speed.
• Speed profile: Prioritize short sprints, repeated explosive movements, and longer recovery times between drills.

While this research provides valuable guidelines for training prescription, my current focus is on exploring how these profiles react to game demands, particularly during Most Demanding Periods (MDPs). I’m curious whether different profiles display measurable differences in key GPS metrics during matches, including:

1. Basic GPS parameters – Metrics such as total distance, high-speed running (HSR), sprint count, and accelerations/decelerations.
2. Combined metrics during MDPs – Parameters like metabolic power, work-to-rest ratios, and mechanical load during phases of maximum effort.

The goal is to assess whether specific profiles (e.g., speed players) endure greater neuromuscular strain or whether endurance players maintain a more stable work rate across various MDPs.

To truly understand how different profiles react to game demands and uncover any differences in both basic GPS metrics and combined metrics during MDPs, data is essential. Without reliable, consistent data, these analyses remain theoretical. However, as any practitioner knows, obtaining consistent and high-quality data can be challenging due to variations in monitoring equipment, data collection methods, and match conditions.

Fortunately, there are clubs and organizations interested in participating in these types of projects, where the focus is on advancing sports science through collaborative research. If you and your club are interested, Ultrax can support you in this journey by providing both sports science expertise and data science support to bring this project to life.

Let me know if you’re ready to partner with us on this initiative. ??