José Hurtado

The integration of wearable inertial sensors into sports performance analysis has enabled the automatic quantification of complex movement patterns, particularly in highly specialized roles such as the goalkeeper. However, the ability of sensor-derived metrics to characterize and differentiate goalkeeper-specific actions across different training contexts remains limited. This pilot study adopted a data-driven, multilevel approach to analyze external load and specific actions in a semi-professional female football goalkeeper across 39 training sessions comprising 148 tasks. The aims were: (i) to characterize external load profiles according to task type, (ii) to identify differences in mechanical demands across training contexts, and (iii) to determine the latent structure of goalkeeper-specific load. Descriptive analyses, coefficient of variation (CV), Kruskal–Wallis tests with post hoc comparisons, and principal component analysis (PCA) were conducted. The results revealed a clear task-dependent load gradient, with goalkeeper-specific tasks showing higher values than small-sided games and full-game situations, particularly for variables such as dives/min, dives load/min, and impacts +8/min. High variability was observed, with coefficient of variation values exceeding 100% in several indicators, reflecting the intermittent nature of goalkeeper involvement. Principal component analysis identified a two-component structure explaining 76.6% of the total variance, associated with specific involvement intensity and postural-control/movement-load demands. In this single-case pilot study, the analyzed goalkeeper’s external load was task-dependent, highly variable, and multidimensional. In comparable women’s football contexts, these findings support the use of task-specific inertial monitoring to verify and adjust female goalkeepers’ exposure to key position-specific actions, such as dives, impacts, accelerations/decelerations, and set-position demands, rather than relying exclusively on full-game tasks or generic locomotor indicators.

Team handball is an intermittent sport characterized by variable kinematic and neuromuscular demands, which require precise monitoring to optimize training design. The aim of the present study was to establish data-driven intensity thresholds for external load variables and to examine their distribution across training tasks in elite women’s handball. External load was monitored in 17 professional female handball players during five training sessions within a competitive microcycle using inertial measurement units. Kinematic variables (speed, acceleration, and deceleration) and a neuromuscular variable (jump impulse) were analyzed. A k-means clustering approach was applied to classify each variable into five intensity zones. Subsequently, the distribution of these zones across different training tasks was evaluated. The results showed a predominance of low-to-moderate intensity actions across all the variables, with a progressive reduction in the frequency of higher-intensity efforts. Acceleration values were consistently higher than deceleration across all the zones. Jump impulse also followed a similar distribution, reflecting the neuromuscular demands of training. A task-based analysis revealed clear differences in intensity profiles, with tasks involving opposition eliciting higher proportions of moderate-to-high-intensity actions, while tasks without opposition showed an absence of high-intensity zones. These findings provide objective reference values for external load in elite women’s handball and highlight the importance of task design in modulating physical and neuromuscular demands. The use of data-driven thresholds and ecologically valid training tasks may contribute to more effective and individualized load prescription.

Introducción: El cambio de categoría en baloncesto de U12 a U14 supone una gran dificultad de adaptación para muchos jugadores. La modificación de las variables de juego permitirá una mejor evolución de los jugadores, ayudando a reducir las exigencias y demandas técnicas. Objetivo: analizar la influencia de la modificación de las variables de juego sobre las variables de carga interna y externa a través de diferentes situaciones. Metodología: Ocho jugadores fueron analizados durante 4 situaciones de juego en las que se llevó a cabo la modificación de diferentes variables (espacio, número de canastas, número de jugadores y tiempo). Se realizaron en un espacio de 14 x 15 metros. Cada jugador fue equipado con un dispositivo inercial WimuProTM. Resultados y discusión: Los resultados muestran que la modificación de las variables en las diferentes situaciones de juego provoca cambios en las demandas físicas sobre la carga interna y externa. Conclusión: Cabe resaltar la importancia que tiene añadir una canasta más, aumentando la carga interna y externa, debido a que se produce un mayor movimiento en la pista. Mientras que disminuir el tamaño del campo, el tiempo y reducir el número de jugadores provocará que se recorran mayores distancias.