College Football Players Train 44% Harder In Practice Than Games

GPS tracking of 27 NCAA Division-II football players reveals practice sessions demand significantly more from athletes than actual competition. University of Nebraska-Kearney researchers found Tuesday workouts generated 44% higher physical loads and 37% more distance coverage than games. Skill players including quarterbacks and receivers completed 81% of weekly hard running during practice, while linemen did only 48% in practice versus 52% during games. Practice intensity never dropped below game pace throughout the week, staying 15-16% above competition levels even on Thursday. Non-starters accumulated more hard running distance than starters, but starters maintained higher intensity. Five players who advanced to professional careers showed higher numbers across nearly every measurement compared to teammates whose careers ended after college. (Story URL)