Why Do Soccer Players Wear GPS Trackers? A Complete Guide

Why do professional soccer players wear GPS trackers? If you have ever watched a professional soccer game, either live or on television, chances are you’ve seen professional players wear an interesting piece of soccer gear underneath their jerseys.

Sometimes after the game ends, after a substitution, or during a goal celebration you might see a player take off their jersey only to be wearing something that appears like a sports bra, but is actually a GPS tracking vest. A GPS tracking vest is designed to monitor and collect data about the player’s physical performance during the game such as distance covered, speed, heart rate, and positioning on the field.

By monitoring players’ movements, GPS trackers help in optimizing performance and preventing injuries, ensuring athletes perform at their best on game-day, but there are potential side effects. If you want to learn more about the benefits and the potential side effects of using a GPS tracking vest, continue reading.

Why do Soccer Players Wear GPS Trackers?

The use of GPS tracking in soccer has revolutionized how teams monitor and enhance player performance. Imagine having the ability to track every sprint, every deceleration, and every movement on the field.

That’s the power of a soccer GPS tracking vests- the ability to track valuable game information to analyze after the game. During a training session the GPS vest can be worn over the training gear, but during a real game the GPS vest has to be worn under the team jersey, which is why some people may confuse these for sports bras.

Performance Metrics Captured by GPS Trackers

GPS trackers in soccer provide a wealth of performance metrics, including:

• Total distance covered during a match or training session, giving coaches insight into a player’s work rate and endurance levels
• Sprint distance, which helps assess a player’s explosive power
• Maximum running speeds, crucial for evaluating overall athletic performance
• Monitoring accelerations and decelerations during a sprint
• Heart rate

GPS devices also incorporate motion sensors that collect movement data at an astonishing frequency, sometimes up to 1000 times per second. This high-resolution data provides precise insights into player movements, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of performance metrics.

For example, the STATSports GPS Tracking System monitors up to 16 different movement-related metrics, offering an in-depth look into a player’s physical exertion and movement patterns. By combining heart rate with speed and distance metrics, coaches can better understand how players are coping with the physical demands of both training and competitive matches.

This integrated data-driven approach helps in making informed decisions to optimize team performance and manage player workloads.

How does a GPS Tracker work

The magic of GPS trackers lies in their simplicity and effectiveness. At the core, a GPS tracking device is a small, lightweight unit that fits snugly into a pouch in the back of a player’s GPS vest.

This placement ensures that the device does not hinder a player’s movements, allowing them to perform naturally on the field. While GPS vests are the most common, especially at the professional level, other forms such as cleat straps, sleeves, or wrist trackers are also used, but they are less common at higher levels.

These GPS devices work by triangulating signals from multiple satellites to pinpoint the player’s exact location on the field. This satellite data is then processed to provide real-time metrics on player positioning, speed, and distance covered. The accuracy of this data depends on the quality of the satellite signals and the frequency at which the device collects data, which can be as high as 1000 times per second.

Once collected, the data is transmitted to a central system where it is analyzed using sophisticated data analysis algorithms. This data analysis provides coaches and sports scientists with valuable insights into player performance data, which they can then use to come up with training plans and more.

Are GPS vests or other tracking devices helpful?

The use of GPS vests and other tracking devices in soccer has been a topic of much debate. For sports scientists and professional coaches, the answer is a resounding yes.

The wealth of data collected by these devices provides a comprehensive view of a player’s performance, enabling detailed post-match analysis and the tailoring of training programs. This data-driven approach helps in identifying areas for improvement and optimizing player development.

However, for amateur players or those aspiring to reach the professional level, the benefits of GPS tracking may not be as significant. While the data collected can be interesting, it doesn’t necessarily translate into immediate performance improvements.

Young players might be better off focusing on fundamental skills like ball control, passing, and understanding game tactics rather than getting bogged down by complex performance metrics. Striking a balance between using technology and honing basic soccer skills is crucial.

When talking about electronic devices it is also important to mention the potential downsides to the constant use of this technology. Some experts caution against the over-reliance on these devices due to potential harmful effects from Non-Native Electromagnetic frequencies emitted, which might impact athletic performance, mitochondrial function, recovery, and sleep.

Therefore, it’s advisable even for professional athletes to limit the use of these devices and focus on their core training routines.

Summary

In conclusion, GPS trackers can offer significant benefits for soccer players and teams, providing detailed insights which can enhance performance, optimize training, and prevent injuries. The adoption of this technology marks a new era in sports science, where data-driven decisions lead to more effective training, but it is also important to not get too caught up with the metrics recorded by these devices as well as to limit your exposure to the NNEMF they emit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best GPS Soccer tracker?

The best GPS soccer tracker is going to depend on personal preferences, but you can check out this list to get an idea of some of the best soccer trackers our right now.

Why do many footballers wear sports bras during World Cup and Premier League games?

During the World Cup 2022 in Qatar many teams such as South Korea were seen with sports bras, or GPS vests to help track their data and metrics of their games.

How far do soccer players run in a game?

Soccer players can run anywhere from 7 to 9 miles depending on their position, which can be tracked by wearing a sports GPS vest.

How can I begin improving my soccer skills right now?

To begin improving your soccer skills right now, check out our post on the best soccer training drills. If you are looking to accelerate your progress, contact us or sign an interest form for our private training program.