An individual approach to monitoring locomotive training load in English Premier League academy soccer players

Purpose:To quantify the seasonal training load completed by professional soccer players of the English Premier League.Methods:Thirty players were sampled (using GPS, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion [RPE]) during the daily training sessions of the 2011–12 preseason and in-season period. Preseason data were analyzed across 6 × 1-wk microcycles. In-season data were analyzed across 6 × 6-wk mesocycle blocks and 3 × 1-wk microcycles at start, midpoint, and end-time points. Data were also analyzed with respect to number of days before a match.Results:Typical daily training load (ie, total distance, high-speed distance, percent maximal heart rate [%HRmax], RPE load) did not differ during each week of the preseason phase. However, daily total distance covered was 1304 (95% CI 434–2174) m greater in the 1st mesocycle than in the 6th. %HRmax values were also greater (3.3%, 1.3−5.4%) in the 3rd mesocycle than in the first. Furthermore, training load was lower on the day before match (MD-1) than 2 (MD-2) to 5 (MD-5) d before a match, although no difference was apparent between these latter time points.Conclusions:The authors provide the 1st report of seasonal training load in elite soccer players and observed that periodization of training load was typically confined to MD-1 (regardless of mesocycle), whereas no differences were apparent during MD-2 to MD-5. Future studies should evaluate whether this loading and periodization are facilitative of optimal training adaptations and match-day performance.

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The relationship between physical match performance and 48-h post-game creatine kinase concentrations in English Premier League soccer players

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/1747954116676111 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 846-852 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A Scott ◽

JJ Malone ◽

R Morgans ◽

D Burgess ◽

W Gregson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Creatine Kinase ◽

Tracking System ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Large Individual ◽

Premier League ◽

Coaching Process ◽

The Relationship ◽

English Premier League ◽

Physical Match

The aim of the investigation was to determine the relationship between blood creatine kinase and physical match performance in 15 elite male soccer players competing in the English Premier League. Blood samples were collected 48 h following a competitive match and analysed for creatine kinase concentration immediately after collection. Physical match performance data were collected using a computerised tracking system (Prozone®) from >6 matches for each player. Mean ± S.D creatine kinase concentration 48 h post-match was 520 ± 224 µ.mol.l−1. Large individual variation in creatine kinase response at this time point was observed (184 µ.mol.l−1 to 1573 µ.mol.l−1). No significant correlation coefficients were observed between the chosen indicators of physical match performance and creatine kinase concentration 48 h post-match. These data suggest that creatine kinase concentrations are elevated as a consequence of playing a soccer match. Creatine kinase may also be of limited value in supporting important decisions in the coaching process.

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