Sports science and medicine is well established in professional football contexts. In England, the level below professional football, Non-League Football (NLF), comprises of full- and part-time teams in its highest tiers. Teams at this level experience an unpredictable nature in NLF with fewer regulations compared to professional football. However, the extent to which SSM is utilised within NLF and the physical demands on players are unclear. This project investigates players’ physical capacities and workloads, aiming to inform injury risk reduction and match performance strategies in NLF.
The practical implications of this work in NLF are highly relevant, as it provides valuable insights into managing physical capacities, monitoring training loads, and implementing injury risk reduction strategies within a semi-professional environment. Given the limited research coupled with the constraints of limited staffing, medical support, and recovery resources at this level, applying evidence-based approaches can help optimise player performance while reducing injury incidence. By tailoring training loads to individual needs, closely monitoring player load and recovery, and integrating simple yet effective preventative measures, coaches and support staff can enhance player availability and consistency throughout the season. Ultimately, this project contributes to improved team performance and player longevity in the physically demanding context of NLF.