Monitoring Training in Elite Soccer Players: Systematic Bias between Running Speed and Metabolic Power Data

Abstract We compared measurements of high-intensity activity during field-based training sessions in elite soccer players of different playing positions. Agreement was appraised between measurements of running speed alone and predicted metabolic power derived from a combination of running speed and acceleration. Data was collected during a 10-week phase of the competitive season from 26 English Premier League outfield players using global positioning system technology. High-intensity activity was estimated using the total distance covered at speeds >14.4 km · h −1 (TS) and the equivalent metabolic power threshold of >20 W · kg −1 (TP), respectively. We selected 0.2 as the ­minimally important standardised difference between methods. Mean training session TS was 478±300 m vs. 727±338 m for TP (p