Shaping Training Load, Technical–Tactical Behaviour, and Well-Being in Football: A Systematic Review

Afonso, Pedro; Forte, Pedro; Branquinho, Luís; Ferraz, Ricardo; Garrido, Nuno D.; Teixeira, José Eduardo

http://hdl.handle.net/10198/34833

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Authors

Teixeira, José Eduardo

Abstract(s)

Football performance results from the dynamic interaction between physical, tactical, technical, and psychological dimensions-each of which also influences player well-being, recovery, and readiness. However, integrated monitoring approaches remain scarce, particularly in youth and sub-elite contexts. This systematic review screened 341 records from PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, with 46 studies meeting the inclusion criteria (n = 1763 players; age range: 13.2-28.7 years). Physical external load was reported in 44 studies using GPS-derived metrics such as total distance and high-speed running, while internal load was examined in 36 studies through session-RPE (rate of perceived exertion x duration), heart rate zones, training impulse (TRIMP), and Player Load (PL). A total of 22 studies included well-being indicators capturing fatigue, sleep quality, stress levels, and muscle soreness, through tools such as the Hooper Index (HI), the Total Quality Recovery (TQR) scale, and various Likert-type or composite wellness scores. Tactical behaviours (n = 15) were derived from positional tracking systems, while technical performance (n = 7) was assessed using metrics like pass accuracy and expected goals, typically obtained from Wyscout (R) or TRACAB (R) (a multi-camera optical tracking system). Only five studies employed multivariate models to examine interactions between performance domains or to predict well-being outcomes. Most remained observational, relying on descriptive analyses and examining each domain in isolation. These findings reveal a fragmented approach to player monitoring and a lack of conceptual integration between physical, psychological, tactical, and technical indicators. Future research should prioritise multidimensional, standardised monitoring frameworks that combine contextual, psychophysiological, and performance data to improve applied decision-making and support player health, particularly in sub-elite and youth populations.

Keywords

Monitoring Training loadwellness Player readiness Sub-elite football

URI

http://hdl.handle.net/10198/34833

Citation

Afonso, Pedro; Forte, Pedro; Branquinho, Luís; Ferraz, Ricardo; Garrido, Nuno D.; Teixeira, José Eduardo (2025). Shaping Training Load, Technical–Tactical Behaviour, and Well-Being in Football: A Systematic Review. Sports. ISSN 2075-4663. 13:8, p. 1-48