Accelerometry as a method for external workload monitoring in invasion team sports. A systematic review

PLoS One. 2020 Aug 25;15(8):e0236643. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236643. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Accelerometry is a recent method used to quantify workload in team sports. A rapidly increasing number of studies supports the practical implementation of accelerometry monitoring to regulate and optimize training schemes. Therefore, the purposes of this study were: (1) to reflect the current state of knowledge about accelerometry as a method of workload monitoring in invasion team sports according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and (2) to conclude recommendations for application and scientific investigations. The Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus databases were searched for relevant published studies according to the following keywords: "accelerometry" or "accelerometer" or "microtechnology" or "inertial devices", and "load" or "workload", and "sport". Of the 1383 studies initially identified, 118 were selected for a full review. The main results indicate that the most frequent findings were (i) devices' body location: scapulae; (b) devices brand: Catapult Sports; (iii) variables: PlayerLoadTM and its variations; (iv) sports: rugby, Australian football, soccer and basketball; (v) sex: male; (vi) competition level: professional and elite; and (vii) context: separate training or competition. A great number of variables and devices from various companies make the comparability between findings difficult; unification is required. Although the most common location is at scapulae because of its optimal signal reception for time-motion analysis, new methods for multi-location skills and locomotion assessment without losing tracking accuracy should be developed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Accelerometry*
  • Athletic Performance*
  • Basketball*
  • Female
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microtechnology
  • Soccer*
  • Sports*
  • Workload*

Grants and funding

The first author of the present study is a beneficiary of a grant from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (FPU17/00407). This study has been partially subsidized by the Aid for Research Groups (GR18170) from the Regional Government of Extremadura (Department of Employment, Companies and Innovation), with a contribution from the European Union through the European Funds for Regional Development. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.