Interchangeability of player movement variables from different athlete tracking systems in professional soccer.

This study assessed the interchangeability between 10-Hz multi-GNSS GPS devices (Vector®) and two optical tracking systems (TRACAB® and Second Spectrum®). The agreement between data from the optical tracking systems when processed with manufacturer and GPS-filtered software was also assessed. Thirty players competing in the English Premier League were monitored using three different tracking systems across five matches. To determine the interchangeability between systems, player movement variables including, total distance, high-speed running distance (19.8-25.2 km·h-1), sprinting distance (>25.2 km·h-1), efforts >19.8 km·h-1 and maximal speed were compared. Equations were formed using linear regression and linear mixed-effects models to allow interchangeability of player movement variables between systems. Over half of the variance of most interchangeability equations were explained and associated with very strong positive correlations (r > 0.72). Small to huge differences were found between systems for most player movement variables. Data of optical tracking systems had decreased values in speed variables >19.8 km·h-1 when processed through GPS software. This study provides equations for practitioners to interchange player movement variables between TRACAB, Second Spectrum and Vector GPS systems with reduced error. This will enable practitioners to combine and share data captured with different tracking systems to analyse and improve their training.

Effect of alterations in whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) exposure on post-match recovery markers in elite Premier League soccer players.

The use of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) as a recovery intervention is prevalent amongst elite soccer players. However, there is a distinct lack of data available around chronic WBC use and post-match recovery markers in elite soccer. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different levels of WBC exposure on subjective and objective measures of post-match recovery in elite soccer players during a chronic exposure period. Sixteen male senior professional outfield soccer players participated in this study over two seasons. K means cluster analysis was used to classify low (-114 ± 2°C for 133 ± 2 s), medium (-121 ± 1°C for 173 ± 2 s) and high (-133 ± 1°C for 181 ± 2 s) cryotherapy exposure indexes (CEI). Salivary markers (immunoglobulin A (IgA) and alpha amylase (AA)) and subjective wellness scores (perceived fatigue, sleep quality, general muscle soreness and stress) were collected post-match across both seasons. Training load (session-RPE) was collected and used as a covariate to control for the load amongst groups. No differences were seen in perceived measures of wellness and salivary AA. Significantly lower IgA concentrations were observed in the medium CEI group (255 ± 32 µg∙ml-1) compared to the low (328 ± 38 µg∙ml-1) and high (306 ± 32 µg∙ml-1) groups. Therefore, increasing the level of chronic WBC exposure appears to have no additional benefit on subjective recovery and alpha amylase response post-match. However, there appears to be an optimal chronic WBC dose with regards to IgA response.