Position specific physical performance and running intensity fluctuations in elite women’s football

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the physical performance of elite female football players during match play along with transient alterations in running performance following 1‐ and 5‐min univariate peak periods. 54 elite female players from four top‐level Norwegian teams were monitored for one season (n = 393 match observations), and physical performance data collected using STATSport GPS APEX. Results revealed significant differences in physical performance between the positions during full match play, particularly between wide and central players. Both full backs (FBs) and wide midfielders (WMs) covered more total distance (TD), high‐speed running distance (HSRD), and sprint distance (SpD) than center backs (CBs) (p