Description of kicking loads in professional football – an analysis of the MLS used to inform a data-based kicking programme

Whiteley, R, Johnson, A ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1648-6506 and Farooq, A (2017) Description of kicking loads in professional football – an analysis of the MLS used to inform a data-based kicking programme. In: Sports Medicine Australia Conference 2016, 12 October 2016 - 15 October 2016, Melbourne, Australia.

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Abstract

Introduction: To determine reasonable kicking loads to plan for preparation and rehabilitation, normal match loads of kicking need to be described. The volume and intensity of kicking activities are likely related to a soccer player's physical preparation and injury risk – performing too few or too many kicks could leave the player under prepared for the demands of a match, or at risk of an overuse injury, respectively. While the number of kicks is relatively easy to document, the intensity of kicking can practically be described either by the distance a kick travels or by the velocity of the ball in flight. It is unknown if these measures are correlated in match play. Further, it is not known if the kicking demands vary by playing position. Methods: Match analysis data for the entire 2012 season of the US Major League Soccer (every player, every minute of play, every kick) was examined using both a distance-based and velocity based approach. Number and types of kicks were described for each playing position using both distance and velocity-based approaches. Results: Distance- and velocity-based approaches were not seen to be equivalent, and a velocity-based approach was seen to be more reflective of the true kicking demands of soccer. The number and type of kicks made in each of the categories were seen to vary by playing position for each of the slow, medium, and fast categories (6 m/s, 6–12 m/s, and ≥12 m/s respectively). The variation in the number of kicking events between playing positions, as well as between games is seen to be large. For example, the average for goal keepers, in an average game would be less than 60 kicks, and more than 120 for midfielders. A suggested return to play program is described based on the mean and variance in the number of kicks, informed by these data. These data can then describe preparation for the average demands, as well as peak expected kicking demands during soccer. Discussion: The volume and intensity of kicking in professional soccer is best described using a velocity based approach, and the kicking workload is seen to vary by playing position. It is suggested that these data are used to inform physical preparation for kicking loads.