Analysis of the Effect of Injuries on Match Performance Variables in Professional Soccer Players: A Retrospective, Experimental Longitudinal Design

BACKGROUND: Knowing the impact of injuries is essential for their adequate management during reconditioning programs. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the changes in match performance parameters in professional soccer players after sustaining an injury, which was defined according to injury severity. METHODS: Two-hundred and seven injuries related to one hundred and sixty-one professional soccer players from the Spanish LaLiga™ were considered for this study. All the injuries were classified according to their severity as minor (from 4 to 7 missed days), moderate (from 8 to 28 missed days), and major (more than 28 missed days). Through Mediacoach(®) videotracking system, time and external demand variables were collected and subsequently compared between pre-injury and return to play periods. The analyzed variables were (in m min(−1)): relative distance covered (RD; total distance covered·min(−1)), distance covered walking (0–6 km h(−1)), distance covered jogging (6–12 km h(−1)), distance covered running (12–18 km h(−1)), distance covered at intense running (18–21 km h(−1)), distance covered at high-speed running (21–24 km h(−1)), and sprinting (> 24 km h(−1)) distance covered. RESULTS: Significant reductions in playing time after suffering moderate and major injuries were observed. Significant reductions after minor injuries were observed in jogging (> 6 km h(−1)) and running (6–12 km h(−1)), while significantly greater distances at intense running (18–21 km h(−1)) and high-speed running (21–24 km h(−1)) were covered by players who suffer major injuries. Finally, relevant decreases in the maximum speed achieved after moderate and major injuries were found. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study shows the importance of high loads during reconditioning programs, as well as implementing strategies that allow reaching levels of maximum speed values after the return to play.