Locomotor profile of a new soccer modality played in 1v1 format

This study aimed to describe and compare the physical demands of emerging soccer modality played in a 1v1 format, the X1, with match durations of 20 and 30 min.

Thirty-one professional X1 athletes participated in this investigation. Sixteen athletes participated in matches lasting 20 min (height: 174.88 ± 8.24 cm; body mass: 72.17 ± 8.1 kg), while fifteen athletes participated in matches lasting 30 min (height: 175.83 ± 4.26 cm; body mass: 74.67 ± 6.1 kg). GPS devices (K-50, K-Sports, Italy) were utilized to collect data on the athletes' performance. Main data analyzed included absolute and relative values of total distance, distance covered at different speed zones, number and distance at different accelerating and decelerating speeds.

X1 players covered on average a total distance of 2240 ± 256.38 m and 3118 ± 441.99 m in 20- and 30-min matches, respectively. The 30-min matches resulted in higher absolute values for all analyzed metrics, with effect sizes ranging from 0.65 (sprinting distance) to 3.66 (walking distance). 20-min matches resulted in higher values for relative distance (78.25 ± 9.03 vs. 72.50 ± 6.54 m/min), relative jogging distance (17.25 ± 5.25 vs. 14.17 ± 3.03 m/min), and relative accelerating and decelerating distances (2 m/s² m/min).

The locomotor demands of athletes playing an 1v1 soccer match with different durations were very specific and singular due to the rules imposed for X1 athletes. Furthermore, 30-min matches in this format elicits greater locomotor demands compared to 20-min matches; however, the 20-min matches exhibited higher relative demands in meters per minute.