## 3 Results  
Statistical analysis revealed significant positional differences, with small to large effect sizes across several external load metrics during the match play (Table 1). Distance Zone 1 was the only variable with no significant differences found. Conversely, a large significant difference was found in Distance Zone 2 (H = 42.9, \(\epsilon^{2}\) = 0.572, \(p\) = 0.001), Distance Zone 3 (H = 33.8, \(p\) = 0.001, \(\epsilon^{2}\) = 0.451), and Distance Zone 4 (H = 16.2, \(p\) = 0.003, \(\epsilon^{2}\) = 0.216). From the analysis for the total distance covered, a large significant difference was also indicated (H = 31.9, \(\epsilon^{2}\) = 0.426, \(p\) = 0.001), as well as for the relative distance covered per minute (H = 29.0, \(\epsilon^{2}\) = 0.387, \(p\) = 0.001). Similarly, large significant differences were observed among players' positions in the number of sprints (H = 38.1, \(\epsilon^{2}\) = 0.508, \(p\) = 0.001), total sprint distance (H = 36.4, \(\epsilon^{2}\) = 0.486, \(p\) = 0.001), and maximum speed achieved (F = 6.555, \(\eta^{2}\) = 0.270, \(p\) = 0.001). Accelerations equal to or greater than 2.0 m/s\({}^{2}\) showed large statistically significant differences (F = 7.041, \(\eta^{2}\) = 0.284, \(p\) = 0.001), as did decelerations equal to or lower than \(-\)2.0 m/s\({}^{2}\) (F = 13.638, \(\eta^{2}\) = 0.435, \(p\) = 0.001). These results indicated meaningful variations in external load indicators, particularly in higher-speed and high-intensity activities, while low-speed metrics such as Distance Zone 1 remained statistically consistent across the sample. Post hoc comparisons (Table 2 and Figures 1 and 2) further clarified the nature of the significant differences reported in Table 1. Specifically, central midfielders consistently demonstrated higher values across most variables, including the total distance covered, relative distance per minute, and sprint metrics. Their performance differed significantly from that of multiple other positions, particularly in Distance Zones 2, 3, and 4, suggesting greater involvement in moderate-to-high intensity efforts. In Distance Zone 2, significant differences were found between central midfielders and forwards. Sprint-related performance metrics--such as the number of sprints and total sprint distance--showed that central midfielders recorded higher values compared to central defenders and forwards. For maximum speed, the highest values were observed among forwards and wide midfielders, reflecting the explosive running demands of their positions. The central midfielders appeared to perform the highest number of accelerations and decelerations compared to the other playing positions. \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c} \hline \hline
**Variable** & **Test Statistic** & \(p\) & **ES** \\ \hline Distance Zone 1 & F = 1.474 & 0.219 & 0.077 \\ Distance Zone 2 & H = 42.9 & 0.001 *F@S\(\Delta\) & 0.572 \\ Distance Zone 3 & H = 33.8 & 0.001 *\({}^{\ddagger}\) & 0.451 \\ Distance Zone 4 & H = 16.2 & 0.003 *\({}^{\ddagger}\) & 0.216 \\ Total Distance (km) & H = 31.9 & 0.001 *\({}^{\ddagger}\) & 0.426 \\ Relative Distance Covered (m/min) & H = 29.0 & 0.001 *\({}^{\ddagger}\) & 0.387 \\ Number of Sprints & H = 38.1 & 0.001 *\({}^{\ddagger}\) & 0.508 \\ Total Sprint Distance (km) & H = 36.4 & 0.001 *\({}^{\ddagger}\) & 0.486 \\ Maximum Speed Achieved (km/h) & F = 6.555 & 0.001 *\({}^{\ddagger}\) & 0.270 \\ Accelerations (\(\geq\)2.0 m/s\({}^{2}\)) & F = 7.041 & 0.001 *\({}^{\ddagger}\) & 0.284 \\ Decelerations (\(\leq\)\(-\)2.0 m/s\({}^{2}\)) & F = 13.638 & 0.001 *\({}^{\ddagger}\)@S\(\Delta\) & 0.435 \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular} Note: The following symbols denote significant pairwise differences: CDF vs. CMF (*), CDF vs. FWD (#), CDF vs. WDF (\(\dagger\)), CDF vs. WMF (\(\ddagger\)), CMF vs. FWD (\(\uparrow\)), CMF vs. WMF (\(\lx@sectionsign\)), CMF vs. WDF (\(\lx@sectionsign\)), FWD vs. WDF (\(\Delta\)).  
\end{table}