Análise da relação entre cargas mecânicas e risco de lesões em atletas profissionais de futebol

Abstract

The dynamics of training loads and the occurrence of sports injuries in professional football athletes, has motivated research around the world. Mechanical training loads encompass variables, with demands imposed by training and games, and can be mechanical, physiological and perceptual. Monitoring has been essential in evaluating management interventions and strategies. Although reference values are provided for measurements of intensity, such as perceived effort and traveled distances, there are gaps in relation to their association with the risk of injury. Objective: To analyse the relationship between mechanical loads and risk of injury in professional football athletes. Methodology: This study presents transversal delineation, of retrospective observational character, descriptive and correlational. They were selected, 15 football athletes, in the professional category of Serie A during the Brazilian Football Championship 2023, totaling 21 weeks. It was used the GPS device of the brand Catapult, model S7, 10hz GPS. Results: Volume variables, presented differences for the Position factor in the High Acceleration Inertia Movement Assessment (IMA Acc High) variable (p=0,030), for the Accelerating Density variabel (p =0,044), the Defenders with lower values compared to the midfielder, and for the lower direction changes (P=0,006) and the average (P =0,035) acceleration, in favour of the Midfielder. In relation to the Event Factor (Training/Play), Inertia Deceleration Movement Assessment (IMA Dec High) and Acceleration Density variables showed no differences between Events. For intensity, neither the maximum heart rate (p=0,579) nor the maximum deceleration (p =0,085) showed differences for the Position factor, the other variables were significant. In relation to the Event, statistical differences were observed for the variables, with higher values for Game compared to Training (p<0,001). 34 injuries were recorded during the follow-up period, 85.3% of non-contact injuries and 14.7% of contact injuries. The comparison between the volumes accumulated during 2, 3 or 4 weeks prior to the injury occurrence, showed a difference for the Acc High IMA (p<0,05), showing higher accumulation values of high-intensity acceleration actions for the athletes who did not injure. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that there is a relationship between mechanical loads and the appearance of injuries. It was possible to verify that the half-camping athletes carried out greater volume of actions related to IMA Acc High, Density of Acceleration and MDIR, we understand that the players of this position need to carry out preventive work. For the event type (training or game), only the IMA Dec High and Acceleration Density variables showed no statistical differences. Comparing the accumulated actions volumes (trainings and games) in the previous weeks and the occurrence of the injury, it was observed by the results in cumulative values of high-intensity acceleration actions, higher for the athletes who did not injure themselves. The findings of high acc IMA as a protective factor for injuries have great validity in the practical context of training. In addition to the differences identified between positions and events that can guide training and load management strategies to optimize performance and reduce the risk of injury.