Exploring turn demands of an English Premier League team across league and knockout competitions over a full season

Abstract

Turns are key performance actions in soccer, but can also induce high mechanical loads resulting in tissue damage or injury. This study aimed to quantify the turn demands of an elite English Premier League soccer team. Turning data were obtained from 49 soccer matches (2022–23 season), from a single team that played 35 Premier League, 5 UEFA Europa League, 5 League Cup and 4 FA Cup matches using Sportlight LiDAR technology. Turns were analysed from 29 players who were categorised in playing position groups: goalkeeper (GK), central defenders (CD), full-backs (FB), central-midfielders (CM), wide-midfielders (WM), central-forwards (CF). Turn categories: high (120–180°), medium (60–119°) and low (20–60°) angled, and very high (>7.0ms-1), high (5.5–7.0ms-1), medium (3.0–5.5ms-1), and low (<3.0ms-1) entry speed (ES) was analysed. Primary findings show, on average, per match, CM performed more total turns (~35), than all other playing positions. Additionally, CM performed significantly more low and medium entry speed and high angled turns than other outfield positions. There were no significant differences between turn frequencies and turn characteristics in different competitions (p >0.05). The turning demands of soccer appear to vary significantly between player position. These findings may help inform position-specific return-to-play protocols, physical preparation strategies, drill design and rehabilitation programmes.