How many miles do players run in a soccer game?

Most European professional players average about six miles during a soccer game; however, this figure varies depending on the position played and general fitness of each player, according to Dr Don Kirkendall. Much of this distance consists of low-intensity jogging or walking.

On a soccer pitch, midfielders tend to run the most because of the demands of the position while strikers and defenders cover slightly less distance. The pace of the game and fitness levels of soccer players have picked up considerably in recent years as a mid-1970s study showed that the average player covered only around five miles each game.