Open AccessThe use of GPS and inertial devices for player monitoring in team sports: A review of current and future applications
Author(s) -
John Theodoropoulos,
Jeremy M. Bettle,
Jonathan D. Kosy
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
orthopedic reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.412
H-Index - 13
eISSN - 2035-8237
pISSN - 2035-8164
DOI - 10.4081/or.2020.7863
Subject(s) - medicine , medline , global positioning system , risk analysis (engineering) , computer science , telecommunications , political science , law
Player-worn devices, combining global positioning system and inertial monitors, are being used increasingly by professional sports teams. Recent interest focusses on using the data generated to track trainingload and whether this may lead to more effective training prescription with better management of injury risk. The aim of this review is to summarize the development and current use of this technology alongside proposed future applications. PubMed and Medline searches (2000-2017) identified all relevant studies involving use in team sports or comparative studies with other accepted methods. Our review determined that the latest devices are valid and reliably track activity levels. This technology is both accurate and more efficient than previous methods. Furthermore, recent research has shown that measurable changes in trainingload (the acute-to-chronic load ratio) are related to injury risk. However, results remain very sport specific and generalization must be done with caution. Future uses may include injury-prevention strategies and return-to-play judgement.