Effect of Playing Position, Match Half, and Match Day on the Trunk Inclination, G-Forces, and Locomotor Efficiency Experienced by Elite Soccer Players in Match Play.

Elisa F. Maraver,Víctor Fortes,José M. Muyor,José M. Oliva-Lozano

doi:10.3390/s20205814

Elisa F. Maraver, Víctor Fortes + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/s20205814

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Abstract

The rapid growth of wearable sensors has allowed the analysis of trunk kinematics during the match, which is necessary for having a better understanding of the postural demands of soccer players. However, some contextual variables may have an impact on the physical demands of the players. This study aimed to analyze the effect of three contextual variables (playing position, match half, and match day) on the sagittal trunk inclination, G-forces, and locomotor efficiency experienced by soccer players in match play. Then, wearable sensors were used to collect the trunk kinematics during 13 matches. Firstly, positional differences were found on the trunk inclination (p = 0.01) and the G-forces experienced by the players (p < 0.001). For example, the greatest and lowest trunk inclination was found for FW (~34.01°) and FB (~28.85°) while the greatest and lowest G-forces were found for WMF (1.16 G) and CD (1.12 G), respectively. However, there were no positional differences in the locomotor efficiency (p = 0.10). Secondly, the match half had a significant effect on the trunk inclination (p = 0.01) and the G-forces experienced by the players (p < 0.001) with significantly lower values observed during the second half. No differences between halves were found on the locomotor efficiency for any playing position (p = 0.41). Finally, no significant effect of match day on any variable was observed. This investigation is one of the first steps towards enhancing the understanding of trunk kinematics from elite soccer players. The positional differences found on the trunk inclination and G-forces imply that the development of position-specific training drills considering the postural demands is necessary to prepare the players not only for the physical demands but also for successful performance in the field of regard. The resistance to fatigue needs to be trained given the differences between halves.

Highlights

In recent years, a number of investigations on the physical demands of elite soccer players have been conducted [1,2,3,4,5] since the governing body of soccer, which is FIFA, allowed the use of electronic performance and tracking systems in official matches [6]
The sagittal trunk inclination and the G-forces experienced by the players were significantly greater during the first half of the matches, while no differences were found for the locomotor efficiency ratio
Regarding the effect of match half on the trunk kinematics variables, this study showed that elite soccer players reported greater sagittal trunk inclination and G-forces during the first half of the matches while no differences between halves were found for the locomotor efficiency ratio

Summary

Introduction

A number of investigations on the physical demands of elite soccer players have been conducted [1,2,3,4,5] since the governing body of soccer, which is FIFA, allowed the use of electronic performance and tracking systems in official matches [6]. These investigations frequently analyze parameters such as total distance, high-speed running distance, a total of accelerations or decelerations performed by the players during the match because these parameters help coaches to adapt the training. This variable is highly associated with the low back pain [12], hamstring injury [13], hip and knee energetics in running [14], and patellofemoral joint stress [15]

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