Benchmarking the Physical Performance Qualities in Women’s Football: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Across the Performance Scale

Background: There is a lack of data relating to the physical performance qualities of women’s football players across the performance scale. Objectives: (1) to establish meta-analytic estimates for select assessment protocols across seven physical qualities (cardiorespiratory fitness, sprint, acceleration, change of direction, lower limb power and strength, and maximal velocity), and (2) to investigate the moderating effect of participant tier; collectively providing normative benchmarking data. Methods: A systematic literature search of 4 databases (Pubmed, SportDiscuss, Scopus, Web of Science) for studies published between 2003 and 2023 was conducted, with a secondary search for studies published until August 2024. Studies were considered for inclusion if; the population were female football players, with a mean age >16 years, reported descriptive data of selected testing protocols, and didn’t include acute training interventions. Performance level (i.e., participant tier) of the study participants were categorised into 4 unique tiers (Tier 2 to Tier 5) using a modified version of the Participant Classification Framework. Means and standard deviations were analysed using mixed-effects, multilevel hierarchical models to obtain pooled estimates, 90% confidence intervals (CI) and prediction intervals (PIs). Meta-regression of modifying effects for participant tier were conducted, and comparisons were expressed as standardised mean differences. Results: The final dataset included 1840 estimates from 972 groups across 287 studies. All descriptive data including meta-analytic estimates for all testing protocols assessed are available (https://fifawomensdevelopmentprogramme.shinyapps.io/FIFA_Womens_Profiling/). The moderating effect of participant tier was assessed where adequate data permitted. Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 demonstrated moderate to large improvements when progressing from Tier 2 to Tiers 4 and 5 (combined; [b = 175 to 344 m]), similarly for velocity attained during the 30:15 Intermittent Fitness Test when directly comparing Tier 2 to Tiers 4 and 5 (b = 2.5 km·h-1). Sprint time decreased when progressing between tiers, where a moderate to large reduction for both 20 m (b= –0.17 to -0.22 s), and 30 m (b = –0.16 to -0.47 s) time when comparing Tier 2 to Tier 3 and Tiers 4 and 5, respectively. Moderate to large improvements in jump height were observed for SJ (restricted arm movement) between participant tiers (b = 3.6 to 6.2 cm), and similarly for CMJ when comparing Tier 3 to Tiers 4 and 5 for restricted (b = 3.1 cm) and unrestricted arm movement (b = 8.8 cm). Conclusions: Normative benchmarks that are useful for athlete profiling and development, talent identification, and training program design have been established. These findings highlight the role of sprinting ability, lower limb power, and intermittent aerobic capacity in differentiating athletes across the performance scale. Registration: Protocol registration can be found in Open Science Framework and available through: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/8W3JH.