The Impact of a Congested Match Schedule in Elite Football Players Using GPS Tracking Technology

• Published in: Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2024-11, Vol.24 (21)
• Main Authors: Garcia-Unanue, Jorge, Hernandez-Ma, Viejo-Romero, David, Manzano-Carrasco, Samuel, Sanchez-Sanchez, Javier, Gallardo, Leonor, Felipe, Jose Luis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chronic diseases; Creatine kinase; Football; Technology application
• ISSN: 1424-8220; 1424-8220
• DOI: 10.3390/s24216917

The aim was to analyse the consequences of a congested schedule (due to the COVID-19 lockdown) on creatine kinase (CK) in elite football players using GPS tracking technology. A total of 17 elite football players were monitored in training and competition with a global positioning system. Variables including total distance, high-intensity distance, and distance acceleration and deceleration were analysed. Different measurements of serum creatine kinase (CK) concentration were performed on match day (MD) and at 24 h (MD+1), 48 h (MD+2), and 72 h (MD+3) after each match to study the muscle damage of each individual player caused during the match. The results showed a significant increase in physical demands in training (in relative terms regarding the match) at MD+3 compared to MD+1 and MD+2. Furthermore, at +72 h, CK decreases to a value almost the same as that before MD. On the other hand, the players with lower demands for high-intensity actions in the match showed a higher reduction in the concentration of CK at MD+3 compared to MD+1 and MD+2 (p < 0.05). It became evident that players with high-intensity demand and a high number of accelerations and decelerations need more time to assimilate the match load and can remain in a state of muscle fatigue for up to 3 days. In addition, a congested schedule can lead to a state of chronic fatigue in elite football players, limiting physical performance and possibly increasing the potential risk of injury for football players.