Metabolic Power: a new energetic approach in soccer. Match analysis and training evaluation through the use of GPS devices.

The purpose of this study was to compare the external load of the different age-groups within a professional football club through innovative measuring systems based on the studies conducted by Prof. Di Prampero on Metabolic Power. We can confirm that both quantity and intensity of physical work are discriminative traits of the age groups we have analyzed. The approach to practice, quality of players, and technical-tactical-physical-psychological objectives are all variables that carry fundamental importance on the variation of work load amongst different teams; we can say that the team with the highest parameters is the U17-18. Surprisingly their values/data are higher than the first team’s (on all the tests taken into account) in terms of volume and intensity ( > 20 w/ > maximal aerobic power) over the exact number of days of practice. Even the U16, (with one day less of practice) registered the same volume of work as the first team, with higher results in high intensity CoDs. The U15 are the group that developed less volume of work and intensity over the week(considering they practice one day less a week compared to the U16 and two days less a week compared to the U17-18 and the first team).