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The Role of Motion Analysis in Elite Soccer

Contemporary Performance Measurement Techniques and Work Rate Data

  • Review Article
  • Motion Analysis in Elite Soccer
  • Published:
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Abstract

The optimal physical preparation of elite soccer (association football) players has become an indispensable part of the professional game, especially due to the increased physical demands of match-play. The monitoring of players’ work rate profiles during competition is now feasible through computer-aided motion analysis. Traditional methods of motion analysis were extremely labour intensive and were largely restricted to university-based research projects. Recent technological developments have meant that sophisticated systems, capable of quickly recording and processing the data of all players’ physical contributions throughout an entire match, are now being used in elite club environments. In recognition of the important role that motion analysis now plays as a tool for measuring the physical performance of soccer players, this review critically appraises various motion analysis methods currently employed in elite soccer and explores research conducted using these methods. This review therefore aims to increase the awareness of both practitioners and researchers of the various motion analysis systems available, and identify practical implications of the established body of knowledge, while highlighting areas that require further exploration.

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Table I
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Fig. 1
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Table II
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Table III
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Acknowledgements

The authors have received no funding for the preparation of this article. The authors have no conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this review except that Christopher Carling and Lee Nelson have previously participated in the development of the AMISCO Pro match analysis system and Jonathan Bloomfield was previously employed by Prozone Group Limited.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. LOSC Lille Métropole Football Club, Centre de Formation, Centre de Formation, Domain de Luchin, Grand Rue, 59780, Camphin-en-Pévéle, France

    Christopher Carling

  2. Sports Institute of Northern Ireland, University of Ulster, Jordanstown, Northern Ireland, UK

    Jonathan Bloomfield

  3. School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire, UK

    Lee Nelsen

  4. Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Henry Cotton Campus, Liverpool, UK

    Thomas Reilly

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  1. Christopher Carling
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  2. Jonathan Bloomfield
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  4. Thomas Reilly
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Correspondence to Christopher Carling.

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Carling, C., Bloomfield, J., Nelsen, L. et al. The Role of Motion Analysis in Elite Soccer. Sports Med 38, 839–862 (2008). https://doi.org/10.2165/00007256-200838100-00004

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