INTRODUCTION: Training load quantification could support planning future training and thereby improve player performance. However, current monitoring systems do not monitor lower extremity biomechanical load and thus important information might be neglected. This explorative study assessed the discriminative validity of a new inertial sensor setup [1] to quantify lower extremity biomechanical load during a standardized soccer training drill. METHODS: National (n = 11) and regional (n = 16) soccer players performed a standardized soccer training drill [2]. Participants wore inertial sensors at the lower extremities. Cumulative joint angular accelerations were used to quantify lower extremity biomechanical load indicators Hip and Knee Load. Additionally, Playerload, high intensity running distance (>15.00 km/h, HIRD), acceleration (>2.78 m/s2, HIAD) and deceleration distance (<2.78 m/s2, HIDD) were used to quantify training load [3]. Between group training load differences were compared using MANOVA tests with Cohen`s D effect sizes. RESULTS: National players had higher Knee Load (984 ± 122 vs. 900 ± 88, ES = 0.82, CI = -0.02 - 1.66, p=0.047), HIRD (83.2 m ± 12.9 vs. 66.4 ± 18.6 m, ES = 1.01, CI = 0.15 - 1.87, p=0.02), HIAD (9.1 m ± 1.3 vs. 6.0 ± 2.3 m, ES = 1.56, CI = 0.64 - 2.48, p<0.001), and HIDD (8.44 ± 2.8 m vs. 3.3 ± 2.6 m, ES = 1.93, CI = 0.95 - 2.9, p<0.001) compared to the regional players. No differences for Hip Load were observed (474 ± 86 vs. 450 ± 69, ES = 0.32, CI = -0.49 -1.13, p = 0.42). CONCLUSION: Training load and Knee Load differences were observed, but discriminative validity of Hip Load could not be confirmed. Proximal-to-distal sequencing and limited number of passes during the training drill might explain the lack of difference in Hip Load. Future research should examine these differences further in formats with more passing opportunities such as small sided games [4].
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