Figure 2. Average match-specific running performance for each playing position obtained over two full seasons. Match-specific running performance was determined based on A) Total Distance (TD), B) Low Intensity Running (LIR): <14 km/h, C) Moderate Intensity Running (MIR): ≥14 and <19 km/h, D) High Intensity Running (HIR): ≥19 and <24 km/h, and E) Sprinting: ≥24 km/h. Each data point represents the average match performance, in meters covered, of young elite male soccer players achieved when playing at a certain position (with a minimum of 3 games played at that position). Mean ± SD are shown for forwards (n = 17), attacking midfielders (n = 10), defending midfielders (n = 9), full-backs (n = 13), and central defenders (n = 11). Significance is indicated (* P < 0.05) and determined by one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction, except for sprint distance, where the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni correction has been applied. There were significant differences between the different playing positions in total distance covered (F, AM, DM > CD; AM, DM > FB; DM > F), distance covered at low intensity (DM, AM > FB; DM > CD = F), distance covered at moderate intensity (DM = AM > F = FB = CD), distance covered at high intensity (AM = F = FB = DM > CD) and distance covered while sprinting (F, FB > CD; F > DM).