Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of Research Using Computerised Tracking Systems (Amisco® and Prozone®) to Analyse Physical Performance in Elite Soccer: A Systematic Review

  • Systematic Review
  • Published:
Sports Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Technology improvements in elite soccer have enabled the performance of individual players and teams to be analysed in extreme detail. The volume and immediate availability of this information allows coaches and sports scientists to make more informed decisions about current and future needs, thus increasing the teams’ potential to perform. In the last decade, one of the most valuable technologies used in elite soccer is the Computerised video tracking system that quantifies technical and physical performance parameters, although new applications are being developed.

Objective

This systematic review aims to evaluate the pertaining research literature that has specifically used the Amisco® and Prozone® Computerised video tracking systems to analyse the physical performance of elite players.

Data Sources

MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, ProQuest, and Teseo were used for the literature search.

Results

After two selection phases, a total of 38 studies were reviewed, which revealed that the majority of studies were of a high standard with most fulfilling the majority of the quality criteria. A critical appraisal of this literature was conducted to assess issues regarding sample size, positional subsets, variables measured, and possible future applications.

Conclusions

This systematic review demonstrates that Computerised video tracking systems are a valuable data collection tool to enable sports scientists to identify the current physical demands placed on players in competition to allow them to apply data to training and testing protocols. Current Computerised tracking systems in elite soccer still provide adequate detail on the physical and technical performances of players but must develop further to compete with the array of additional parameters offered by new technologies such as global or local positioning system technology. However, physical parameters are highly dependent on the role played by technical and tactical factors, and thus improved knowledge of these parameters is needed to allow a more complete understanding of their impact on physical demands.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Di Salvo V, Modonutti M. Integration of different technology systems for the development of football training. J Sports Sci Med. 2009;S11:3.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Van Gool D, Van Gerven D, Boutmans J. The physiological load imposed on soccer players during real match-play. In: Reilly T, Lees A, Davis K, Murphy WJ, editors. Science and football I. London: E. & F.N. Spon; 1988, p. 51–9.

  3. Carling C, Bloomfield J, Nelsen L, et al. The role of motion analysis in elite soccer: contemporary performance measurement techniques and work rate data. Sports Med. 2008;38(10):839–62.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Barris S, Button C. A review of vision-based motion analysis in sport. Sports Med. 2008;38(12):1025–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Redwood-Brown A, Cranton W, Sunderland C. Validation of a real-time video analysis system for soccer. Int J Sports Med. 2012;33:635–40.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Penel HP, Traversian P. Partidos asistidos por ordenador. Ciencia y Vida. 1998;9(7):48–52.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Martínez JL, Pérez E, Perarnau O. Análisis de la competición. In: Drobnic F, González de Suso JM, Martínez JL, editors. Fútbol. Bases científicas para un óptimo rendimiento. Madrid: Ergon; 2004. p. 13–20.

  8. Di Salvo V, Collins A, McNeill B, et al. Validation of ProZone®: a new video-based performance analysis system. Int J Perf Anal Sport. 2006;6:108–19.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Di Salvo V, Gregson W, Atkinson G, et al. Analysis of high-intensity activity in Premier League soccer. Int J Sports Med. 2009;30(3):205–12.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Bradley PS, Sheldon W, Wooster B, et al. High-intensity running in English FA Premier League soccer matches. J Sports Sci. 2009;27(2):159–68.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Vigne G, Gaudino C, Rogowski I, et al. Activity profile in elite Italian soccer teams. Int J Sports Med. 2010;31(5):304–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Zubillaga A. La actividad del jugador de fútbol en alta competición: análisis de variabilidad. Doctoral thesis: University of Malaga; 2006.

  13. Dellal A, Wong DP, Moalla W, et al. Physical and technical activity of soccer players in the French First League - with special reference to their playing position. Int Sport Med J. 2010;11(2):278–90.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Dellal A. Analyse de l’activité physique du footballeur et de ses conséquences dans l’orientation de l’entraînement: application spécifique aux exercices intermittents courses à haute intensité et aux jeux réduits. Doctoral thesis: Universite de Strasbourg; 2008.

  15. Di Salvo V, Baron R, Gonzalez-Haro C, et al. Sprinting analysis of elite soccer players during European Champions League and UEFA Cup matches. J Sports Sci. 2010;28(14):1489–94.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Bradley PS, Dellal A, Mohr M, et al. Gender Differences in match performance characteristics of soccer players competing in the UEFA champions league. H Mov Sci. 2014 (in press).

  17. Volpi T, Mateus L, Arnosti N, et al. Modelo competitivo da distância percorrida por futebolistas na UEFA Euro 2008. Rev Bras Cienc Esporte. 2010;31(3):177–91.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Di Salvo V, Baron R, Tschan H, et al. Performance characteristics according to playing position in elite soccer. Int J Sports Med. 2007;28(3):222–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Bradley PS, Noakes T. Match running performance fluctuations in elite soccer: indicative of fatigue, pacing or situational influences. J Sports Sci. 2014 (in press).

  20. Rampinini E, Coutts AJ, Castagna C, et al. Variation in top level soccer match performance. Int J Sports Med. 2007;28(12):1018–24.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Lago-Peñas C. The influence of match location, quality of opposition, and match status on possession strategies in professional association football. J Sports Sci. 2009;27(13):1463–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Lago-Peñas C, Casais L, Dominguez E, et al. Influencia de las variables contextuales en el rendimiento físico en el fútbol de alto nivel. Eur J Hum Mov. 2009;23:107–21.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Castellano J, Blanco-Villaseñor A, Álvarez D. Contextual variables and time-motion analysis in soccer. Int J Sports Med. 2011;32:415–21.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Lago-Peñas C, Casais L, Dominguez E, et al. The effects of situational variables on distance covered at various speeds in elite soccer. Eur J Sport Sci. 2010;10(2):103–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Taylor JB, Mellalieu SD, James N, et al. The influence of match location, quality of opposition, and match status on technical performance in professional association football. J Sports Sci. 2008;26(9):885–95.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Bartlett R, Button C, Robins M, et al. Analysing team coordination patterns from player movement trajectories in soccer: methodological considerations. Int J Perf Anal Sport. 2012;12:398–424.

    Google Scholar 

  27. Mohr M, Krustrup P, Bangsbo J. Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue. J Sports Sci. 2003;21(7):519–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Barros R, Misuta M, Menezes R, et al. Analyses of the distances covered by first division Brazilian soccer players obtained with an automatic tracking method. J Sports Sci Med. 2007;6:233–42.

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Rampinini E, Bishop D, Marcora SM, et al. Validity of simple field tests as indicators of match-related physical performance in top-level professional soccer players. Int J Sports Med. 2007;28(3):228–35.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Odetoyinbo K, Wooster B, Lane A. The effect of a succession of matches on the activity profiles of professional soccer players. In: Reilly T, Korkusuz F, editors. Science and football VI. New York: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group; 2009. p. 105–10.

    Google Scholar 

  31. Randers MB, Mujika I, Hewitt A, et al. Application of four different football match analysis systems: a comparative study. J Sports Sci. 2010;28(2):171–82.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Harley JA, Lovell RJ, Barnes CA, et al. The interchangeability of Global Positioning System and semi-automated video-based performance data during elite soccer match play. J Strength Cond Res. 2011;25(8):2334–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Bradley PS, Carling C, Archer D, et al. The effect of playing formation on high-intensity running and technical profiles in English FA Premier League soccer matches. J Sports Sci. 2011;29(8):821–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Bradley PS, Rey E, Lago C, et al. The effect of high and low percentage ball possession on physical and technical profiles in English FA premier league soccer matches. J Sports Sci. 2013;31(12):1261–70.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Bradley PS, Carling C, Gomez-Diaz A, et al. Match performance and physical capacity of players in the top three competitive standards of english professional soccer. Hum Mov Sci. 2014 (in press).

  36. Carling C. Influence of opposition team formation on physical and skill-related performance in a professional soccer team. Eur J Sport Sci. 2011;11(3):155–64.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Carling C. Analysis of physical activity profiles when running with the ball in a professional soccer team. J Sports Sci. 2010;28(3):319–26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Dellal A, Chamari K, Wong DP, et al. Comparison of physical and technical performance in European soccer match-play: FA Premier League and La Liga. Eur J Sport Sci. 2011;11(1):51–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Dellal A, Lago-Peñas C, Rey E, et al. The effects of a congested fixture period on physical performance, technical activity and injury rate during matches in a professional soccer team. Br J Sports Med. 2013. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2012-091290.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Gregson W, Drust B, Atkinson G, et al. Match-to-match variability of high-speed activities in premier league soccer. Int J Sports Med. 2010;31(4):237–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Carling C, Le Gall F, Dupont G. Analysis of repeated high-intensity running performance in professional soccer. J Sports Sci. 2012;30(4):325–36.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Andrzejewski M, Chmura J, Pluta B, et al. Analysis of motor activities of professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res. 2012;26(6):1481–88.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Bradley PS, Di Mascio M, Peart D, et al. High-intensity activity profiles of elite soccer players at different performance levels. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24(9):2343–51.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Carling C, Espié V, Le Gall F, et al. Work-rate of substitutes in elite soccer: a preliminary study. J Sci Med Sport. 2010;13:253–55.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Carling C, Dupont G. Are declines in physical performance associated with a reduction in skill-related performance during professional soccer match-play. J Sports Sci. 2011;29(1):63–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Carling C, Le Gall F, Reilly T. Effects of physical efforts on injury in elite soccer. Int J Sports Med. 2010;31(3):181–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Carling C, Bloomfield J. The effect of an early dismissal on player work-rate in a professional soccer match. J Sci Med Sport. 2010;13:126–28.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  48. Di Mascio M, Bradley PS. Evaluation of the most intense high-intensity running period in English FA Premier League soccer matches. J Strength Cond Res. 2013;27(4):909–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  49. Redwood-Brown A, O’Donoghue P, Robinson G, et al. The effect of score-line on work-rate in English FA Premier League Soccer. Int J Perf Anal Sport. 2012;12:258–71.

    Google Scholar 

  50. Rey E, Lago-Peñas C, Lago-Ballesteros J, et al. The effect of a congested fixture period on the activity of elite soccer players. Biol Sport. 2010;27:181–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Robinson G, O’Donoghue P, Wooster B. Path changes in the movement of English Premier League soccer players. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 2011;51(2):220–6.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Abt G, Lovell R. The use of individualized speed and intensity thresholds for determining the distance run at high-intensity in professional soccer. J Sports Sci. 2009;27(9):893–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Carling C, Dupont D, Le Gall F. The effect of a cold environment on physical activity profiles in elite soccer match-play. Int J Sports Med. 2011;32(7):542–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Mackenzie R, Cushion C. Performance analysis in football: a critical review and implications for future research. J Sports Sci. 2012;31:639–76.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Bekraoui N, Cazorla G, Léger L. Les systèmes d’enregistrement et d’analyse quantitatifs dans le football. Sci Sports. 2010;25:177–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. Impellizzeri FM, Sassi A, Rampinini E. Accuracy and reliability of a commercial video-computerised, semiautomatic soccer-match analysis system: Preliminary results. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Conference of the European College of Sport Science, Lausanne, Switzerland. 2006; p. 319.

  57. Bradley P, O’Donoghue P, Wooster B, et al. The reliability of ProZone MatchViewer: a video-based technical performance analysis system. Int J Perf Anal Sports. 2007;7(3):117–29.

    Google Scholar 

  58. Bland J, Altman D. Statistical-methods for assessing agreement between two methods of clinical measurement. Lancet. 1986;8(1):307–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. Burgess D, Naughton G, Norton K. Quantifying the gap between under 18 and senior AFL football: 2003 and 2009. Int J Sports Physiol Perf. 2012;7:53–8.

    Google Scholar 

  60. Wehbe GM, Hartwig TB, Duncan CS. Movement analysis of Australian national league soccer players using global positioning system technology. J Strength Cond Res. 2013. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e3182a35dd1.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Carling C, Wright C, John Nelson L, et al. Comment on performance analysis in football: a critical review and implications for future research. J Sports Sci. 2013.

  62. Carling C. Interpreting physical performance in professional soccer match-play: should we be more pragmatic in our approach? Sports Med. 2013 (in press).

  63. Hopkins WG. Measures of reliability in sports medicine and science. Sports Med. 2000;30:1–15.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  64. Casamichana D, Castellano J. Comparing the physical demands of friendly matches and small-sided games in semi-professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res. 2012;26(3):837–43.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  65. Osgnach C, Poser S, Bernardini R, et al. Energy cost and metabolic power in elite soccer: a new match analysis approach. Med Sci Exer. 2010;4:170–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  66. Carling C, Le Gall F, Dupont G. Are physical performance and injury risk in a professional soccer team in match-play affected over a prolonged period of fixture congestion. Int J Sports Med. 2012;33(1):36–42.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  67. Varley MC, Elias GP, Aughey RJ. Current match analysis techniques’ underestimation of intense periods of high velocity running. Int J Sports Physiol Perf. 2012;7:183–5.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Grehaigne JF, Godbout P, Zerai Z. How the “rapport de forces” evolves in a soccer match: the dynamics of collective decisions in a complex system. R Psi Deporte. 2011;20(2):747–65.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the support of the Spanish government project Observación de la interacción en deporte y actividad física: Avances técnicos y metodológicos en registros automatizados cualitativos-cuantitativos (Secretaría de Estado de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación del Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad) during the period 2012–2015 (Grant DEP2012-32124). Also, we gratefully acknowledge the referees comments that have allowed to improve the paper quality. The authors have no potential conflicts of interest that are directly relevant to the content of this article.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Portal de Lasarte, 71, 01007, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain

    Julen Castellano & David Alvarez-Pastor

  2. Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Sunderland, Sunderland, UK

    Paul S. Bradley

Authors
  1. Julen Castellano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David Alvarez-Pastor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Paul S. Bradley
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Julen Castellano.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (DOCX 21 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Castellano, J., Alvarez-Pastor, D. & Bradley, P.S. Evaluation of Research Using Computerised Tracking Systems (Amisco® and Prozone®) to Analyse Physical Performance in Elite Soccer: A Systematic Review. Sports Med 44, 701–712 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0144-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-014-0144-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation