How Collegiate Football Practice Loads Stack Up to Game Day: University of Kansas and University of Nebraska-Kearney use SPT data in recent research publication
At SPT, we're always looking to give coaches and athletes the clearest view on week-to-week training to optimize game day performance. Football is a complex sport, combining explosive bursts, endurance, speed, and physicality. Until recently, understanding exactly how practice compares to game day has been tricky. Using SPT's GPS tracking units, Dr. Quincy Johnson and his team across the University of Kansas and the University of Nebraska-Kearney were able to provide invaluable insights for a NCAA Division II football team in a recent research publication.
They monitored 27 athletes across 32 practices and 11 games at UNK. Each player's workload was tracked across key SPT metrics: total duration, total distance, yards per minute, hard running distance and efforts, and 2D and 3D load (proprietary overall load metrics) to quantify mechanical stress. Data was captured from practices throughout the week leading up to gameday (Game Day -4, GD-3, GD-2, GD-1), with game day serving as the 100% reference for comparisons.
The study yielded fascinating results. Across nearly every metric, practice sessions often exceeded the loads seen on game day. Depending on the day, players covered up to 37% more total distance and 44% higher 3D load than during actual games. This kind of overload early in the week, followed by a taper toward game day, aligns with what we know about effective periodization to optimize performance.
Clear differences by position emerged. Skill players—receivers and defensive backs—covered the most ground and logged the highest hard-running totals. Big skill players, like linebackers and tight ends, followed a similar pattern, while linemen, though covering less distance, had high mechanical loads, reflecting the physical collisions in the trenches. On game day, workloads balanced out across positions, illustrating the intensity of competition for all athletes.
Weekly periodization patterns were also evident: early-week practices (GD-4 and GD-3) accounted for the heaviest loads, tapering toward game day. This mirrors what we've seen in elite soccer programs and helps ensure athletes are prepared but not overworked.
The study also analyzed starters versus non-starters and future pros versus others. Starters had slightly higher work rates, while non-starters logged more hard running—likely due to scout-team duties. Athletes who went on to play professionally posted higher workload outputs across all metrics, suggesting consistent load tolerance and capacity may contribute to post-collegiate success.
Why this matters? At SPT, we believe precise, objective data enhances coaching decisions. With similar insights derived from Dr. Quincy Johnson’s study using our GPS units, coaches can:
- Balance load and recovery to peak on game day
- Tailor training by position
- Monitor player progression throughout the season
- Confidently align practice intensity with desired performance outcomes
Football is demanding, and our goal at SPT is to give coaches and athletes the tools to navigate that complexity intelligently. By understanding the physical demands from practice to game day, teams can make smarter decisions, optimize performance, and help players stay strong and resilient.
You can check out the full research article using the following link:
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1662240/full
Along with the University of Kansas' recent write-up on the same study:
https://news.ku.edu/news/article/study-uses-gps-technology-to-find-football-practices-can-be-up-to-40-percent-more-demanding-than-games
Reference
Data collected using Sports Performance Tracking (SPT) GPS technology by Dr. Quincy Johnson and his team. Published in Frontiers in Sports Science, 2025.