# The Effect of Pitch Surface on Match Running Performance in Women's Soccer
## 1 Introduction  
As the popularity and professionalism of women's soccer continue to rise globally [1, 2], the need to understand the physical demands the players face has become extremely important [3]. The analysis of physical demands is usually performed by quantifying match running performance (MRP), such as total distance, high-intensity running, sprints, accelerations, and decelerations [4, 5, 6]. In women's soccer, players typically cover between 9 and 11 km per match, of which approximately 350-650 m is high-speed running and 50-250 m is sprinting [7, 8, 9, 10, 11]. Understanding these demands is crucial in decision-making processes for structuring the elements of training and subsequent match preparation [12]. High-intensity variables, such as high-intensity running (HIR), high-intensity accelerations (HIA), and high-intensity decelerations (HID), are particularly relevant when assessing physical demands [13]. These variables provide deeper insights into the physiological and biomechanical stresses players experience during match play. Specifically, HIR reflects periods when players are required to sustain speeds that challenge aerobic and anaerobic systems [14]. HIA and HID, on the other hand, quantify rapid changes in velocity, which results in heightened physiological and neuromuscular demands [15]. These metricsare not only important for understanding soccer-specific demands but are also valuable for bioengineering efforts to optimize training load monitoring and surface technology design. Empirical evidence demonstrated that physical demands are dependent on myriad factors [16], including pitch type [13]. Whether playing on NG or AT, each environment presents unique challenges and benefits, impacting player movement patterns, fatigue levels, and overall game dynamics [17]. Countries are increasingly choosing to build new playgrounds with AT, as they require less maintenance and respond better to weather conditions, especially in areas with wet and cold weather [13]. In 2004, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) approved using third-generation artificial grass for official tournaments [18]. Since then, many teams have combined playing on AT and NG, especially in regions with challenging weather conditions (e.g., Scandinavian countries). Moreover, AT is frequently utilized in specific contexts, such as youth competitions and women's leagues [19]. However, AT still provides different operating conditions compared to NG. Specifically, AT is a consistent and firm surface that allows more predictable and stable footing, which can facilitate quicker movements [20]. On the other hand, NG has a softer composition and variable texture, which provides better shock absorption [13; 21]. Consequently, athletes encounter variations in the physical demands placed upon them, which underscores the importance of exploring the interaction between pitch surface characteristics. These insights can guide the development of surface technologies, aimed at optimizing player performance, while mitigating injury risks. Although interest in analyzing physical demands in soccer has grown over the past years [22], there is still limited knowledge about how pitch surface affects physical demands during match play [23]. To the best of our knowledge, there were only three studies in this field [13; 24; 25]. Briefly, [PERSON] et al. [13] compared the MRP of elite soccer players on AT and NG, and reported that playing on AT is physically more demanding for defensive and midfield players than on NG. [PERSON] et al. [24] analyzed displacement variability patterns of the players and their spatial distribution on different surfaces. Results suggested that the running activity of young players can be influenced by different surfaces. [PERSON] et al. [25] examined movement patterns, ball skills, and impressions of elite soccer players, comparing AT to NG.