Patrick A Ward, Sam Ramsden, Aaron J Coutts, Andrew T Hulton, Barry Drust

The aim of this investigation was to describe differences in training loads between position groups within professional American football. Integrated micro technology data was collected on 63 NFL football players during an American football training camp. Five key metrics (total distance, high speed distance, Player Load, Player Load per Minute, and Total Inertial Movement Analysis (IMA)) served to quantify both running and non-running activities. Players were classified into position groups (DB, DL, LB, OL, QB, RB, TE, and WR). Training sessions were identified by their relationship to the upcoming match (e.g., -4, -3, -2). Running and non-running activities varied between position groups relative to the training day. Differences in total distance were between DB and WR were observed to be unclear between the three training days (Game Day (GD) -4: 74 ± 392 m; GD -3: -122 ± 348; GD - 2: -222 ± 371 m). However, moderate to large differences were observed between these two positions and the other positional groups. A similar relationship was observed in Player Load and Player Load per Minute, with the DB and WR groups performing greater amounts of load compared to other positional groups. Differences in High Speed Distance varied across positional groups, indicating different outputs based on ergonomic demands. The OL and DL groups ran less but engaged in a higher amount of non-running activities (Total IMA) with differences ranging from moderate to large across the three training days. Total IMA differences between offensive and defensive linemen were unclear on GD -4 (-4 ± 9) and GD -2 (-2 ± 8) and likely moderate on GD -3 (-9 ± 9). Positional differences with regard to running and non-running activities highlight the existence of position specific training within a training micro-cycle. Additionally, Total IMA provides a useful metric for quantifying sport specific movements within the game of American football.