Force plates, skinfolds and 200 biomarkers: Every test a Premier League player does at the start of pre-season

By Geoff Scott, Senior Physiotherapist at Hauora

Pre-season in the Premier League has changed dramatically over the past decade. The level of detail in testing today is extraordinary, and it plays a huge role in preparing players for the demands of the season ahead.

When players leave at the end of the season, they’re given a fitness programme and an ideal return weight. Most contracts allow three weeks’ holiday, with at least two weeks of complete downtime, before gradually building back into structured training. Increasingly, many players also work with private fitness coaches or attend training camps in places like Spain, Portugal or Dubai.

By the time they report back, the first day is almost entirely medical testing. At Tottenham, we’d run players through up to 16 stations in one day, everything from blood tests and musculoskeletal checks to power assessments and dental screenings.

Blood & Nutritional Screening

Every player completes a full blood screen, often assessing more than 200 biomarkers, from vitamins and minerals to signs of inflammation. This data builds on their history, allowing us to identify any changes that might indicate illness or fatigue. Nutritional profiles are also checked, ensuring players return at the right body composition. Body composition is assessed using DEXA scans or skinfold callipers, giving detailed insight into fat and muscle distribution.

Concussion & Cardiac Testing

Cognitive baseline tests are now standard. Players complete reaction-time and memory tasks on a computer, establishing a “normal” that must be met before they can return from any future concussion. Cardiac screening, with ECGs and echocardiograms, is also mandatory, a vital step in protecting health before high-intensity training begins.

Musculoskeletal & Movement Assessments

Physiotherapists check every joint, tendon, and ligament to flag potential risks early. Ultrasound is often used to assess Achilles or patella tendons. Then, sports scientists take over with functional movement screens, assessing squats, lunges, and mobility. These are part of the Functional Movement Screen (FMS), a seven-test system widely used to spot imbalances that could lead to injury.

Power & Fitness Testing

Force plates are one of the most valuable tools. By measuring ground reaction forces during jumps or squats, they give precise data on asymmetries, strength, and explosiveness. Machines like the Keiser squat rack, NordBord, or GroinBar allow us to measure eccentric strength and balance between muscle groups, whilst Isokinetic machines are used to assess quadriceps and hamstring ratios, which are important for reducing strain risk.

Outdoor running tests vary, but they’re always designed to be repeatable, so improvements can be tracked across the season. At Tottenham, we used a one-kilometre run (10 full-pitch lengths) as a benchmark, with professional players expected to finish between 3:20 and 3:40.

How It’s Changed

The biggest advances in the last decade are in technology and regulation. Tools like the NordBord and GroinBar give us precision data on muscle function, while mandatory cardiac and concussion testing have transformed player safety.

But what hasn’t changed is the philosophy. Pre-season testing is about identifying risks, setting baselines and giving players the best possible foundation to perform and to stay available over the season.