GPS and Injury Prevention in Soccer

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A study by Ehrmann et al. investigated the relationship between GPS variables measured in training and games, and injury occurrences, in proffesional soccer players.

19 professional soccer players were monitored for one season using long providing data about:
• Total Distance Covered
• High Intensity Running Distance
• Very High Intensity Running Distance
• New Body Load (reflects both the volume and intensity of accelerations)
• Metres per Minute
• Non-contact soft tissue injuries

It was found that higher values of metres per minute were significantly higher before an injury. In addition, New Body Load values were found to be significantly lower following an injury.

The researchers concluded that: “periods of relative under-preparedness could leave players unable to cope with intense bouts of high intensity efforts during competitive matches… ...The results of this study isolated two variables predicting soft tissue injuries (metres per minute and New Body Load)”.

Reference: Ehrmann, Fabian E., et al. "GPS and injury prevention in professional soccer." The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research 30.2 (2016): 360-367.