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.