Maximal locomotor function in elite football: protocols and metrics for acceleration, speed, deceleration, and change of direction using a motorized resistance device

Buchheit M & Eriksrud O. Maximal locomotor function in elite football: protocols and metrics for acceleration, speed, deceleration, and change of direction using a motorized resistance device. Sport Performance & Science Reports, Oct 2024, #238, v1.

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Study Overview:
We introduce a validated testing protocol using the 1080 Sprint to assess critical physical capacities in elite footballers. Our tests, including a 40-m sprint and the 15-0-5 COD test, offer deep insights into sprinting, acceleration, deceleration, and change-of-direction (COD) capacities.

Key Metrics Identified:
– 40-m Sprint: Focus on Top Speed (CV 1.2%), 0-5 m Time (CV 3%), and Max Accel (CV 10%).
– 15-0-5 COD Test: Key measures include Top Speed before COD (CV 1.5%), 0-5 m Time, and Max Decel (CV 5%).

‍Why This Matters:
– For Coaches: These metrics align with GPS-based analyses, making it easier to integrate into everyday practice.
– For Injury Prevention: The 15-0-5 test is crucial for evaluating deceleration, a key factor in ACL injury risks, and simulates the high-intensity demands seen in match play.
– For Player Development: The protocol helps track small-to-moderate changes in performance, providing a precise way to monitor progress.

Why the 15-0-5 Test is a Game-Changer:
With a strong correlation to top speeds seen during match play when pressing and a focus on deceleration demands, the 15-0-5 test is almost sufficient for profiling players when using a motorized resistance device like the 1080 Sprint.