1. Abstract

1.1 Objectives

It is understood that change of direction (COD) movements elicit different biomechanical loads and injury risk factors depending on nature of the associated turn characteristics. However, there is limited research exploring differences in COD movements completed by each position in elite English soccer teams who compete in the Premier League, UEFA Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup. This study therefore aimed to complete an exploratory analysis to increase the understanding of the significant turn demands for these soccer players.

1.2 Methods

Turning data was obtained from 49 match fixtures during 2022-23 season, from the Premier League (35 matches), UEFA Europa League (5 matches), League Cup (5 matches) and FA Cup (4 matches). All turn data was collected using Sportlight® LiDAR tracking system (Sportlight®, Oxford, UK; LiDAR). Significant turns were analysed from 29 soccer players, all from the same team. Significant turns were defined as: a change of direction with a deceleration ≥−2 ms-2, an angle change in direction of travel ≥20°, and a subsequent acceleration ≥2 ms-2, all within a 1 second duration. Turns were further categorized into: high (120-180), medium (60-119) and low (20-60) angled turns, and very high (>7.0ms-1), high (5.5-7.0 ms-1), medium (3.0-5.5ms-1), and low (<3.0ms-1) entry speed turns.
Statistical analysis was completed to determine how turn demands varied between position groups and competition types. In addition to turn frequency, the turn characteristics analysed included: peak deceleration (ms-2), turn duration (s), entry speed (ms-1), turn angle ().


1.3 Results

Significant differences of increased turn frequency, turn angle and entry speed were identified between playing positions. Turn characteristics, such as entry speed, were also found to significantly increase depending on their interaction with other turn metrics, i.e. turn angle. Analysis of competition differences found no significances for comparisons between turn frequencies and turn characteristics.

1.4 Conclusions

This study further develops the knowledge of turn demands faced by English soccer players competing in the Premier League, League Cup, UEFA Europa League, and FA Cup. These findings aim to further educate practitioners of the more complex details of turn demands during match-play and influence return to play protocols, physical preparation strategies, drill design and rehabilitation programmes. Further research needs to be completed on the biomechanical loads injury risk factors associated with these findings.