Author(s): CHRISTOFOROU, N., PLAKIAS, S., PAMBORIS, G.M., Institution: EUROPEAN UNIVERSITY CYPRUS, Country: CYPRUS, Abstract-ID: 1731

INTRODUCTION:
Monitoring training load is a key strategy in professional football to optimise performance and reduce the risk of injury. In the Cyprus First Division, where competitive schedules and squad characteristics may differ from larger European leagues, structured workload monitoring is particularly important for maintaining player availability. The use of GPS technology enables detailed quantification of external workload; however, the relationship between GPS-derived metrics and injury occurrence in this context remains unclear. Retrospective analysis of GPS-derived data may help identify workload-related injury risk factors in professional football. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between workload measures and injury occurrence in a professional team competing in the Cyprus First Division.
METHODS:
Sixteen professional male football players from a team competing in the Cyprus First Division were monitored over two consecutive competitive seasons. GPS data were collected using a Catapult Vector S7 system (Catapult Sports Ltd., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) during all training sessions and official matches. Workload variables included training intensity (m/min), total distance (m), running speed zones (15-20 km/h, 20-25 km/h, 25-30 km/h), accelerations (>2.5 m/s^2), decelerations (>2.5 m/s^2), and repeated high-intensity efforts (number of efforts). Injury occurrence was recorded and analysed in relation to absolute workload values and the acute-to-chronic workload ratio (ACWR). Dependent-samples t-tests and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis.
RESULTS:
Training intensity was statistically significantly higher during injury weeks compared with non-injury weeks (p = 0.036, d = 0.39). In addition, injury frequency was statistically significantly greater when the ACWR for high-speed running (>25 km/h) was outside the 0.8-1.3 range (p = 0.003), indicating that sudden changes in workload were associated with injury occurrence.
CONCLUSION:
In a professional football team competing in the Cyprus First Division, systematic GPS-based monitoring of training load provides valuable information for injury risk management. Maintaining the ACWR within the range of 0.8-1.3 and avoiding rapid increases in workload in the high-speed running zone (>25 km/h) appear to be important workload-management strategies associated with lower injury occurrence and improved player availability throughout the competitive season.