Injury Incidence and Workloads during congested Schedules in Football

This study compared injury incidence and training loads between single and multi-match weeks, and seasons with and without congested scheduling. Measures of internal (session-Rating of Perceived Exertion x duration for training/match and % maximal heart rate) and external load (total, low-, high-, and very high-intensity running distances) along with injury incidence rates were determined from 42 players over 3 seasons; including 1 without and 2 (season 2 and 3) with regular multi-match weeks. Within-player analyses compared 1 (n=214) vs. 2-match (n=86) weeks (>75min in matches), whilst team data was compared between seasons. Total injury rates were increased during multi-match weeks (p=0.001), resulting from increased match and training injuries (50.3, 16.9/1000h). Between-season total injury rates were highest when congested scheduling was greatest in season 3 (27.3/1000h) and season 2 (22.7/1000h) vs. season 1 (14.1/1000h; p=0.021). All external load measures were reduced in multi-match weeks (p<0.05). Furthermore, all internal and external training loads were lowest in seasons with congestion (p<0.05). In conclusion, increased injury rates in training and matches exist. Total loads remain comparable between single and multi-match weeks, though reduce in congested seasons. Whether injuries result from reduced recovery, increased match exposure or the discreet match external loads remain to be elucidated.