High-intensity capacity and its expression in match play in the Bolivian footballer: a two-phase observational study from youth to senior categories

Abstract

Footballers from the Andean corridor, Bolivia in particular, reach top-level leagues far less often than regional peers. This study explores whether part of that gap lies in the capacity to produce high-intensity and explosive actions, and how such a deficit is expressed in match duels. Two-phase observational study (STROBE) using real GPS data (Catapult) from Bolivian national teams and clubs, with optical-tracking and FIFA references; player-match unit; outfield players with ≥60 minutes; per-90 metrics; Hedges' g effect sizes with 95 % CI and non-parametric tests. In U-15 (vs Paraguay, same match), differences were significant for explosive metrics —sprinting (p=0.034) and peak speed (p=0.016)— but not for volume. Across three U-17 FIFA World Cup 2025 matches, high-intensity volume matched the elite standard only in the two heavy defeats (chasing the ball) and dropped in the only balanced match (0-0), while peak speed stayed below the standard in every category. In the senior team (adults, mean 25.4 y), sprinting and peak speed were below the 2026 World Cup average. In play, Bolivia dominated possession yet lost duels —even with 69 % possession (0-0 vs Qatar)—. Peak speed is the transversal deficit; volume is contextual. The best-fitting descriptive hypothesis is that the explosiveness deficit explains why duels are lost, and that ball circulation is its consequence rather than a choice.