Table 3.
Characteristics of the selected studies
| Studies | Players details (level, n, age) | Tracking systems | External load metrics examined | Fatigue-related dependent variables investigated | Quality assessment score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquino et al., [28] | Elite/18/15.6 ± 0.4 | Video analysis "tracking software DVIDEOW" | Medium running distance (8.1–13 km h−1); HI running distance (13.1–18 km h−1); Sprinting distance (> 18 km h−1); HI activity distance (> 13 km h−1); TD; Number of sprints. |
Pre- to post-match % change in CK concentration Pre- to post-match % change in LDH concentration |
0.65 |
| De Hoyo et al., [23] | Elite/15/18 ± 1 | 15-Hz GPS with 100-Hz accelerometer | Medium intensity (14–17.9 km h−1), HI (18-20.9 km h−1) and sprinting (> 21 km h−1) distances; High-speed (> 14 km h−1) and very high-speed running (> 18 km h−1); number of medium to high (> 2 m/s2) and high (> 3 m/s2) accelerations; number of medium to high (< − 2 m/s2) and high decelerations (< − 3 m/s2); TD; Impacts (> 7.1G) |
Pre to post-match changes at ~ 30 min, G + 24H and G + 48H in: CK concentration Average concentric and eccentric force during CMJ CMJ height |
0.70 |
| Draganidis et al., [21] | Semi-professional/20/ 22.6 ± 1.5 | 5-Hz GPS with 100-Hz accelerometer | HI running (>14.5 km h−1); VHI running (>19.8 km h−1) and sprinting (>25.2 km h−1); number of low, medium and HI accelerations (1–2 m/s2, 2–3 m/s2, > 3 m/s2); Number of low, medium and HI decelerations (− 1 to − 2 m/s2, − 2 to − 3 m/s2, < − 3 m/s2); TD |
Pre to G + 24H, G + 48H and G + 72H changes in: CK concentration Leucocytes count Concentric and eccentric isokinetic peak torque at 60°/s and 180°/s MVIC of KE and KF muscles DOMS |
0.80 |
| Nedelec et al., [25] | Professional/14/ 21.8 ± 3.2 | Video analysis |
High acceleration and deceleration <5 m High acceleration and deceleration >5 m HI running Hard changes of direction |
Pre to G + 24H, G + 48H and G + 72H post-match changes in: CMJ performance MVIC of the hamstring with knee flexed at 90° and 150° KF muscle soreness | 0.65 |
| Rampinini et al., [29] | Professional/20/19 ± 1 | Video-computerized, semi-automatic match analysis |
TD HI running (> 15 km h−1) |
Pre to immediately, G + 24H and G + 48H % changes in: Maximal voluntary activation (%VA) Normalized Root mean square of vastus lateralis muscle EMG signal during MVIC. Peak torque with 1-ms, 10-ms interval and 100-ms interval stimulations |
0.70 |
| Romagnoli et al., [30] | Professional/20/17- 20 | Video-computerized, semi-automatic match analysis |
TD Low-intensity running distance (< 15 km h−1) HI running distance (> 15 km h−1) VHI running distance (> 20 km h−1) |
Pre to 30 min, G + 24H and G + 48H changes in: White blood cells count Cortisol and Testosterone concentrations Creatine kinase concentration |
0.40 |
| Russell et al., [12] |
Professional/15/ 20 ± 1 |
10-Hz GPS units |
Raw and normalized (per min) TD Raw and normalized (per min) HI running distance (> 19.8 km h−1) Raw and normalized (per min) total number of: sprints (> 19.8 km h−1), high accelerations, high decelerations, HI impacts Total number of accelerations, decelerations and impacts. |
Pre to G + 24H and G + 48H changes in: CK concentration CMJ PPO |
0.80 |
| Scott et al., [31] | Professional/15/26 ± 4 | video-computerized, semi-automatic match analysis | TD, HI running (> 19.8 km h−1) and Sprinting (> 25.2 km h−1): distances and occurrences | Pre to G + 48H changes in CK concentration | 0.75 |
| Shearer et al., [32] | Elite/11/20 ± 1 | 10-Hz GPS units |
Raw and normalized (per min) TD Raw and normalized (per min) HI running distance (> 19.8 km h−1) Raw and normalized (per min) total number of sprints (> 19.8 km h−1) |
Pre to G + 24H and G + 48H changes in: CK concentration CMJ PPO Brief assessment of mood |
0.75 |
| Thorpe et al., [22] | Semi-professional/7/25 ± 6 | 1-Hz GPS unit with 100-Hz accelerometer | Walking distance (0–6 km h−1); jogging distance (6–8 km h−1); low-speed running (8–12 km h−1); moderate-speed running (12–15 km h−1); Fast speed running (15–18 km h−1); sprinting distance (>18 km h−1); HI activity (> 15 km h−1); total number of sprints. |
Pre to post-match changes in: CK concentration Myoglobin concentration Cortisol and Testosterone concentrations |
0.70 |
| Varley et al., [33] | Professional/10/27 ± 3 | Video-computerized, semi-automatic match analysis | TD, sprint distance (> 25.2 km h−1), total number of: sprints), high accelerations, high decelerations. |
Pre to immediately, G + 48H and G + 72H changes in: CK concentration CMJ height Muscle fatigue and wellness |
0.85 |
n: number of players, TD: total distance, KE: knee extension, KF: knee flexion, CMJ: countermovement jump, PPO: peak power output, PT: peak torque, DOMS: delayed onset muscle soreness, HI: high intensity, VHI: very high intensity, MVIC: maximal voluntary isometric contraction