Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the changing characteristics of running performance before and after extra time matches (ET) at the World Cup under new substitution rules and in special seasonal periods. METHODS: Match running data of starting players who played ET compared to matches before and after the ET matches from the FIFA 2022 World Cup and the FIFA 2023 Women's World Cup were used for the analysis by using repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Most of the relative running distance per minute for the ET match was lower than the pre and post ET match in both men and women World Cups. However, no significant differences (p > 0.05) were found between pre and post ET matches neither in men's nor women's World Cups, except total distance and low speed running distance per minute for men`s football (p < 0.05). Significant interaction effects of gender × match (ET/Post-ET) were found in total distance, walking and jogging distance, low speed running distance and high-speed running distance per min (p < 0.05). In contrast, no significant interaction effects were found in moderate speed running distance, sprint distance, number of high-speed running bouts, number of sprints per min and top speed (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present findings revealed that players display limited fatigue and can maintain running performance in the match after extra time matches across both genders during World Cups with 4-5 days between matches. Coaches should continue to focus on approaches to reduce fatigue and speeding up athlete recovery after extra time matches in international tournaments.