PlayerloadTM and accelerometer-based metrics
Scientific evaluation and implications for athlete monitoring
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13130174 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Craig A Staunton (0000-0001-8023-1498, Mid Sweden University, corresponding author), Peter Edholm (0000-0002-5401-9255, Halmstad University), Bernardo Neme Ide (0000-0003-4057-0051, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro), Massimiliano Ditroilo (0000-0003-1021-0362, University College Dublin), Daniel Wundersitz (0000-0002-7316-6373, La Trobe University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 7 |
| Pages | 1710693-1710693 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-12 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2624-9367 • E-ISSN: 2624-9367 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fspor.2025.1710693 |
| PMID | 41602800 |
| OpenAlex | W7122456272 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 97 |
PlayerLoadTM is the most widely used accelerometer-derived metric for quantifying external demands in sport. Its normalized variant, PlayerLoad·min -1 , is also commonly used as a marker of exercise intensity. However, recent literature has raised concerns regarding its scientific foundation, including inconsistent definitions, arbitrary units, opaque filtering methods, questionable theoretical underpinnings, and imprecise mechanical terminology. The construct validity of PlayerLoadTM remains unverified, and emerging evidence suggests weak dose-response relationships with performance outcomes. Although widely adopted in practice, these concerns warrant critical scientific scrutiny. This review critically evaluates the validity and reliability of the PlayerLoadTM metric, highlighting the need for greater transparency and theoretical rigor in wearable athlete monitoring. Furthermore, we present alternative accelerometer-derived metrics, developed from clearer biomechanical and physiological principles, which may offer more robust and interpretable measures for researchers and practitioners
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |