Mazola, IsmelValdés, MiguelRomero-Moraleda, BlancaGonzález-García, Jaime2026-01-122026-01-122025-08Mazola, I, Valdés, M, Romero-Moraleda, B & González-García, J 2025, 'From Youth to Senior : External Load Progression and Positional Differences in Spanish Women’s National Teams During World Cup Competitions', Applied Sciences (Switzerland), vol. 15, no. 15, 8421. https://doi.org/10.3390/app151584212076-3417https://hdl.handle.net/10641/7161Publisher Copyright: © 2025 by the authors.The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the external load demands of players from the Spanish women’s national football teams across the U-17, U-20, and senior categories during their respective FIFA World Cup participations. Key kinematic variables were assessed via global positioning systems (GPS), including total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR; ≥18 km·h−1), sprint distance (≥21 km·h−1), accelerations (>3 m·s−2), decelerations (<–3 m·s−2), and high metabolic load distance (HMLD) during 3 world cups (U17, U20 and senior). Significant differences were observed between the senior team and both U-20 and U-17 in nearly all variables, with greater magnitude as the intensity of the metrics increased, showing effect sizes ranging from moderate to very large (d = 0.95 to 4.76). Positional analysis by categories showed that senior full backs (FB) and central midfielders (CM) showed higher demands compared to U-20 and U-17. For TD, senior covered more than U-17 (FB: p = 0.001; d = 1.11 | CM: p = 0.023; d = 0.97), with small differences vs. U-20 (d ≤ 0.54). In HSR, both positions outperformed U-17 and U-20 (FB: p ≤ 0.007; d = 0.87–1.15 | CM: p ≤ 0.031; d = 0.71–1.11). In HMLD, both FB and CM displayed very large differences compared to U-17 and U-20 (all p < 0.001; d = 2.54–6.16). These findings underscore the need for progressive development of locomotor capacities from early stages, considering both age category and playing position, to facilitate a more seamless transition to elite-level football.2364835enghttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/GPSfemalefootballloadmatchsoccerwomenGeneral Materials ScienceInstrumentationGeneral EngineeringProcess Chemistry and TechnologyComputer Science ApplicationsFluid Flow and Transfer ProcessesYesyesjournal articleopen access10.3390/app15158421https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105013297546https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105013297546#tab=citedBy