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Using GPS in soccer: the advantages for coaches and physical trainers
Jan. 25, 2023 | 3 min of reading
The use of GPS for soccer has become an important resource for modern physical trainers who want to monitor the physical state of their athletes and give physical advice during the race. The global positioning system (GPS) is a position tracking and navigation technology that uses a network of artificial satellites in orbit to provide information on geographical coordinates in relation
to a time.The validity and reliability of measurements of GPS devices on the market has recently been described, with an error for the total distance traveled between 3% and 5%.
The first time that GPS technology was used in sports dates back to 1997, and since then it has been increasingly used in outdoor team sports, such as rugby, Australian football, cricket, hockey and soccer, especially at a professional level.
There are some limitations associated with GPS technology, including reduced reliability as the number of available satellites decreases and the inability to sample data indoors. In addition, there is the issue of the cost and the need for qualified personnel to collect the data.
Despite these limitations, the information obtained from these devices is useful for coaches and trainers, to keep track of the team's physical state and plan specific training programs.
There are differences between cell phone GPS and those used in soccer, such as the sampling rate. Common cell phones usually have a GPS sampling rate of 1 Hz, which allows you to evaluate the speed of movement quite well, but you will have to consider sources of signal disturbance, such as buildings and
skyscrapers.Suggested course
To make the best use of GPS in soccer, it's important to choose the best device for your needs. There are different types of GPS for soccer players on the market, some more advanced than others and with different characteristics
.For example, there are GPs that only measure speed and distance traveled, while others have additional functions such as recording training intensity and fitness analysis.
To get the most out of your training strategy and improve your team's performance, it's important to choose the best GPS for soccer and use it effectively. With the right training and the use of advanced features, GPS can become a valuable resource for improving the physical preparation of your players
.In general, using GPS for soccer can offer many advantages for coaches and physical trainers. For example, it can help to:
- Monitor the distance traveled by players during training and competitions
- Evaluate the intensity of training and the physical fitness of the players
- Plan specific and personalized training programs
- Identify any problems of overwork and prevent injuries
- Optimize the physical condition of the players in view of the matches
In addition, using the data collected from GPS, coaches and physical trainers can create detailed reports on the training and physical fitness of the players, which can be used to make informed decisions about training and the formation of the team.
The use of GPS in soccer requires specific training from your technical staff
for this reason, together with Daniele Cenci, we created an online video course to learn how to make the best use of the GPS device and how to analyze the data collected. This online video course can be an excellent resource for coaches and physical trainers who want to get the most out of using GPS in soccer
.It is important to note that the use of GPS should only be part of an overall training and physical preparation strategy. The entire assessment of the physical fitness of the players should not be based only on the data collected by the GPS, but used in combination with other assessment methods, such as physical tests and
direct observation.In summary, the use of GPS in soccer can offer many advantages for coaches and physical trainers, but it is important to use it effectively and combine it with other evaluation methods.
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