Individualisation of time-motion analysis : a method comparison and case report series

Hunter, F.; Bray, J.; Towlson, C.; Smith, M.; Barrett, S.; Madden, J.; Abt, G.; Lovell, R.

Abstract

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG. This study compared the intensity distribution of time-motion analysis data, when speed zones were categorized by different methods. 12 U18 players undertook a routine battery of laboratory- and field-based assessments to determine their running speed corresponding to the respiratory compensation threshold (RCT), maximal aerobic speed (MAS), maximal oxygen consumption (vVO 2max ) and maximal sprint speed (MSS). Players match-demands were tracked using 5 Hz GPS units in 22 fixtures (50 eligible match observations). The percentage of total distance covered running at high-speed (%HSR), very-high speed (%VHSR) and sprinting were determined using the following speed thresholds: 1) arbitrary; 2) individualised (IND) using RCT, vVO 2max and MSS; 3) individualised via MAS per se; 4) individualised via MSS per se; and 5) individualised using MAS and MSS as measures of locomotor capacities (LOCO). Using MSS in isolation resulted in 61 % and 39 % of player's % HSR and % VHSR, respectively, being incorrectly interpreted, when compared to the IND technique. Estimating the RCT from fractional values of MAS resulted in erroneous interpretations of % HSR in 50 % of cases. The present results suggest that practitioners and researchers should avoid using singular fitness characteristics to individualise the intensity distribution of time-motion analysis data. A combination of players' anaerobic threshold, MAS, and MSS characteristics are recommended to individualise player-tracking data.

Citation

Hunter, F., Bray, J., Towlson, C., Smith, M., Barrett, S., Madden, J., …Lovell, R. (2015). Individualisation of time-motion analysis : a method comparison and case report series. International journal of sports medicine, 36(1), 41-48. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1384547

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 12, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Sep 26, 2014
• Publication Date: 2015
• Deposit Date: Apr 24, 2015
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 24, 2015
• Journal: International journal of sports medicine
• Print ISSN: 0172-4622
• Electronic ISSN: 1439-3964
• Publisher: Thieme Gruppe
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 36
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 41-48
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1384547
• Keywords: External load, Fitness characteristics, GPS, Match-demands, Soccer, Intensity-distribution
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/372990
• Publisher URL: https://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0034-1384547
• Additional Information: Authors' accepted manuscript of an article which has been published in: International journal of sports medicine, 2014, v.36, issue 1 at: https://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.1055/s-0034-1384547