Investigation of acceleration and deceleration distances of teams in Turkish Football Super League acording to their success ranking

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of high-intensity acceleration and deceleration distances on success by analyzing the groups formed at the end of the league and their players in different positions, comparing them with players in the same positions of other groups, according to different time intervals and ball possession situations. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on the 2016–17 Turkish Football Super League, consisting of 34 weeks. Data were obtained through camera systems based on three groups formed according to their points and five different positions, and analyzed in terms of high-intensity acceleration-deceleration distances during 0-45, 45-90, 0-90 intervals, both in possession, out of possession, in total. Results: According to the analyses, during 0–45, 45–90, and 0–90 min in possession, Groups 1 and 2 fullbacks performed significantly more HIACC than Group 3 (p<0.05). In 0–45 min, only Group 3 wingers and forwards showed higher HIACC compared to Group 1, while in 45–90 and 0–90 min, Groups 2 and 3 forwards performed more HIACC than Group 1 (p<0.05). Out of possession, Groups 2 and 3 recorded higher HIACC than Group 1 in all positions during 0–45 and 0–90 min, and in fullbacks, center backs, and wingers during 45–90 min (p<0.05). In total values, Groups 2 and 3 showed higher HIACC than Group 1 in center backs and forwards across 0–45, 45–90, and 0–90 min (p<0.05). Additionally, in 0–45 min, Groups 2 and 3 wingers, and in 0–90 min, Group 2 midfielders and Group 3 wingers, performed more HIACC compared to Group 1 (p<0.05). HIDEC values demonstrated a distribution parallel to HIACC across groups and positions. Overall, Groups 2 and 3 had significant differences compared to Group 1 across all time intervals. Conclusion: This study showed that physical demands varied between groups and positions depending on ball possession, and the 1st group teams competing for the championship in the Super League performed less high-intensity acceleration-deceleration in many positions and time intervals. Keywords: Soccer, Camera Tracking System, League Ranks, Positional Differences, High Intensity Acceleration Deceleration, In/Out of Possession Acceleration Deceleration.