A Comparative Study On The Match Performance Of The Chinese Super League Before And After The Breakout Of COVID-19

OBJECTIVE: Spectators and the competition format are two important factors affecting the performance of soccer players,but during the COVID-19 pandemic,the Chinese Super League has adopted the home-and-away format for the first time,with empty matches.So far,there have been no reports of empty matches and the competition system affecting performance in the Chinese Super League.The purpose of this study is to observe the changes in the physical performance and technical performance of the Chinese Super League before and after the COVID-19,and to provide a reference for the coaches of the Chinese Super League during the COVID-19 after coaching to formulate training and competition strategies.METHOD: The figures for the Chinese Super League,provided by Amisco Sports Analysis Services,the technical partner of the Chinese Football Association,were 480 games played before the pandemic and 340 in the two years after.Physical indicators :Total distance(m),Average speed(km/h),Average speed in Possession(km/h),Average speed in opponent Possession(km/h),Number of sprints,Distance of sprint(m),Average length of a single sprint(m),Number of high-speed running,Distance of high-speed running(m),Average length of single high-speed running(m),Distance of moderate-speed running(m).Technical indicators:Shot,Shot on target,Pass,Pass accuracy(%),Forward pass,Forward pass accuracy(%),Cross,Cross accuracy(%),Corner,Offside,Opponent 35 m entry,Number of challenges,Number of ground challenges,Number of aerial challenges,Foul committed,Yellow card.RESULTS:(1)Among the technically relevant variables,compared with pre-COVID-19,pass accuracy(p < 0.001,ES = 0.23)and forward pass accuracy(p < 0.001,ES = 0.21)significantly decreased post-COVID-19,while the number of crosses(p < 0.001,ES =-0.24),challenges(p < 0.001,ES =-0.50),and ground challenges(p < 0.001,ES =-0.64)increased.(2)Among the physical fitness indicators,total distance(p < 0.001,ES = 0.34),average speed(p < 0.001,ES = 0.35),number of sprints(p < 0.001,ES = 0.39)and distance of sprint(p < 0.001,ES = 0.32)were significantly reduced compared with those pre-COVID-19,while the average distance of a single high-speed running(p <0.001,ES =-0.66)increased.CONCLUSION:(1)The post-COVID-19 Chinese Super League has been played without live audiences and without a change in the format,and in the technical performance,the pass accuracy and forward pass accuracy showed a decreasing trend.The number of crosses,the number of challenges,and the number of ground challenges increased significantly.(2)In physical performance,the total distance,average speed,number of sprints and distance of sprint showed a downward trend;The average distance of a single high-speed running increased significantly.The performance of CSL teams is affected by many factors,but under the empty match and the change of the competition system,there are obvious differences in the technical and physical performance of player,and the influence on the physical performance is greater.