Amputee Football (AF) players move using lofstrand crutches (LC) and a single leg during training and matches, which may expose them to excessive loads. Due to a lack of scientific articles describing these issues, this pilot study aims to gain insight into the assessment of pain experiences, as well as external loads during training and matches in AF. An observational study design was followed. Twelve male AF players (2 goalkeepers—GK and 10 field players—FP), 29.9 ± 8.7 years, stature 178.3 ± 6.5 cm, body mass 77.2 ± 8.9 kg were involved in the study. After stature and body mass measures, participants filled out the questionnaire for pain. The players were familiarized with digital pain drawing (DPD). Afterwards, they reported pain typically felt in relation to regular AF training and playing matches—recall pain (RP). During a two-day training camp (TC) with two training sessions each day and during a two-day international tournament (IT) with two matches each day, the players were monitored using DPD, rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and overall pain level (OPL) scales. In addition, during an international tournament (IT), match players were monitored using a GNSS tracking system for external load assessment. All of the participants reported multiple locations of pain after AF training or a match. The area of recall pain (RP) was the highest: +0.5% when compared to the end of TC and +43% when compared to end of IT. The pain area registered at the end of IT was significantly lower (p = 0.028) compared to RP and lower without statistical significance when compared to the end of TC. Average RPE was 3.31 ± 1.38 and average OPL was 2.86 ± 1.81 in 0–10 scale. Typical RPE was higher than that registered at the end of IT. Also typical OPL was higher compared to that registered after the end of TC, which was higher than after the end of IT. The average distance covered by a FP during a match ranged from 2483.14 ± 583.64 m to 2911.08 ± 828.90 m. AF field players suffered pain as a consequence of training and matches. The loads coming from playing and training, combined with pain, may lead to injuries. Further research directions should include assessments of the relationship of pain characteristics, injuries and GNSS tracking parameters.

Even though running performance and positional profiles in football are well described, amputee football (AF) has different characteristics of the movement, pitch dimensions, and time played. There is a gap in the scientific literature about positional profiles based on running performance in AF. This study aimed to investigate the differences between positions, the influence of the amputation level or defect of the lower limb (LD), the differences in running performance between halves, and the relationship with the final match result. Thirteen AF National Team players were monitored by Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), tracking 24 official international matches for 17 months. Values of top speed, peak acceleration, peak deceleration, average distance per minute, sprint mean speed, GPS load per minute, inertial load per minute (Gs load/min), number of sprints per minute, and a number of impacts per minute were analyzed for defenders (DEF), midfielders (MID) and forwards (FOR). Additional factors analyzed were amputation level (below the knee, low amputation—LA or over the knee, high amputation—HA or defect of the lower limb—LD) and the match's final result. Midfielders had significantly higher running performance parameters compared to other positions (greater top speed than DEF (+ 0.3 m/s; p < 0.001) and FOR (+ 0.2 m/s; p = 0.045), greater peak acceleration and deceleration than DEF (+ 0.5 m/s2 for both measures; p < 0.001) and FOR (+ 0.4 and + 0.3 m/s2; p < 0.001 and p = 0.036, respectively), greater GPS load/minute than DEF (+ 0.2 load/min; p = 0.001) and FOR (+ 0.3 load/min; p < 0.001), greater Gs load per minute than DEF (+ 2.7 load/min; p < 0.001) and FOR (+ 1.8 load/min; p < 0.001), greater number of impacts per minute than DEF (+ 0.2 n/min; p < 0.001) and FOR (+ 0.2 n/min; p < 0.001). Players with LD had significantly higher running performance than those with LA or HA. In the match's second half, a decrease in running performance was registered. The trend of running more when losing could be observed—AF players had higher running parameters in lost matches, but the differences were not statistically significant. Further research complied with contextual game analysis is needed to assess the running performance of AF players deeply.

The aim of the research was determining the differences, similarities and relations between time, distance and maximum speed occurring in the structure of exercises – small games. While selecting exercises, the assumption was to maintain similar internal load with various technical-tactical assumptions assessed with the help of parameters generated with the use of GPS and IMU technologies. Twelve basketball players took part in the research (age 24 ± 4.7 years; height 187.9 ± 5.2 cm; weight 83.9 ± 8.7 kg). 3 exercises simulating match conditions, and intervals between them lasted 5 minutes. The players played as long as one of the teams scored 25 points. The ranges of IMU like acceleration or deceleration were divided into I-VIII zones from the value of -8 to 8 m/s/s. To examine differences in total distance and total effort among three exercises, we performed repeated ANOVA measures. This test was statistically significant at alpha (ρ ≤ 0.05). The maximum speed and the longest distance were registered in Exercise. 1 and equalled 23.22 ± 1.73 km/h and 1097.75 ± 48.11 respectively. The longest distance covered in 1 minute was registered in Exercise 2 – 66.10 ± 5.72 m/m. For bands II to VII, there were significant differences between Exercise 3 and Exercise 1 and 2. The correlations between Exercise 2 and 3 in bands III,VII was statistically relevant. Training time aiming at reaching the same external load should be modified and not dependent on score results. Changeable time conditions result in the lack of load stability in a given exercise, hence its unpredictability as to the planned training load. The results of this research shall help coaches apply, in the right moment of a training cycle, tasks simulating match conditions of particular running load, controlling in this way a type of tiredness and its level.