Training Load Quantification of a Field Testing Session In College Soccer Players

This study aimed to compare the training load of a professional under-19 soccer team (U-19) to that of an elite adult team (EAT), from the same club, during the in-season period. Thirty-nine healthy soccer players were involved (EAT [n = 20]; U-19 [n = 19]) in the study which spanned four weeks. Training load (TL) was monitored as external TL, using a global positioning system (GPS), and internal TL, using a rating of perceived exertion (RPE). TL data were recorded after each training session. During soccer matches, players’ RPEs were recorded. The internal TL was quantified daily by means of the session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) using Borg’s 0–10 scale. For GPS data, the selected running speed intensities (over 0.5 s time intervals) were 12–15.9 km/h; 16–19.9 km/h; 20–24.9 km/h; >25 km/h (sprint). Distances covered between 16 and 19.9 km/h, > 20 km/h and >25 km/h were significantly higher in U-19 compared to EAT over the course of the study (p =0.023, d = 0.243, small; p = 0.016, d = 0.298, small; and p = 0.001, d = 0.564, small, respectively). EAT players performed significantly fewer sprints per week compared to U-19 players (p = 0.002, d = 0.526, small). RPE was significantly higher in U-19 compared to EAT (p =0.001, d = 0.188, trivial). The external and internal measures of TL were significantly higher in the U-19 group compared to the EAT soccer players. In conclusion, the results obtained show that the training load is greater in U19 compared to EAT.

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The association between training load indices and upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in elite soccer players

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/17479541211020479 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 174795412110204

Author(s):

Caoimhe Tiernan ◽

Thomas Comyns ◽

Mark Lyons ◽

Alan M Nevill ◽

Giles Warrington

Keyword(s):

Respiratory Tract ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Training Load ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Upper Respiratory Tract ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Upper Respiratory ◽

Tract Infections ◽

Load Indices ◽

And Training

This study aimed to investigate the association between training load indices and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection (URTI) across different lag periods in elite soccer players. Internal training load was collected from 15 elite soccer players over one full season (40 weeks). Acute, chronic, Acute:Chronic Workload Ratio (ACWR), Exponentially Weighted Moving Averages (EWMA) ACWR, 2, 3 and 4-week cumulative load, training strain and training monotony were calculated on a rolling weekly basis. Players completed a daily illness log, documenting any signs and symptoms, to help determine an URTI. Multilevel logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between training load indices and URTIs across different lag periods (1 to 7-days). The results found a significant association between 2-week cumulative load and an increased likelihood of a player contracting an URTI 3 days later (Odds Ratio, 95% Confidence Interval: OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 0.026-1.431). Additionally, a significant association was found between 3-week cumulative load and a players’ increased risk of contracting an URTI 4 days later (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 0.013–1.006). These results indicate that accumulated periods of high training load (2- and 3-week) associated with an increased risk of a player contracting an URTI, which may lead to performance decrements, missed training sessions or even competitions.

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Quantifying Accelerations and Decelerations in Elite Women Soccer Players during Regular In-Season Training as an Index of Training Load

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports9080109 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 109

Author(s):

Tom Douchet ◽

Allex Humbertclaude ◽

Carole Cometti ◽

Christos Paizis ◽

Nicolas Babault

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Training Load ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Unit Recording ◽

Fitness Level ◽

Total Distance ◽

Load Monitoring ◽

Soccer Training ◽

Stress Fatigue

Accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC) are important and frequent actions in soccer. We aimed to investigate whether ACC and DEC were good indicators of the variation of training loads in elite women soccer players. Changes in the training load were monitored during two different selected weeks (considered a “low week” and a “heavy week”) during the in-season. Twelve elite soccer women playing in the French first division wore a 10-Hz Global Positioning System unit recording total distance, distance within speed ranges, sprint number, ACC, DEC, and a heart rate monitor during six soccer training sessions and rated their perceived exertion (RPE). They answered the Hooper questionnaire (sleep, stress, fatigue, DOMS) to get an insight of their subjective fitness level at the start (Hooper S) and at the end of each week (Hooper E). A countermovement jump (CMJ) was also performed once a week. During the heavy week, the training load was significantly greater than the low week when considering number of ACC >2 m·s−2 (28.2 ± 11.9 vs. 56.1 ± 10.1, p < 0.001) and number of DEC < −2 m·s−2 (31.5 ± 13.4 vs. 60.9 ± 14.4, p < 0.001). The mean heart rate percentage (HR%) (p < 0.05), RPE (p < 0.001), and Hooper E (p < 0.001) were significantly greater during the heavy week. ACC and DEC showed significant correlations with most outcomes: HR%, total distance, distance per min, sprint number, Hooper index of Hooper E, DOMS E, Fatigue E, RPE, and session RPE. We concluded that, for elite women soccer players, quantifying ACC and DEC alongside other indicators seemed to be essential for a more complete training load monitoring. Indeed, it could lead to a better understanding of the reasons why athletes get fatigued and give insight into neuromuscular, rather than only energetic, fatigue.

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Training load and schedule are important determinants of sleep behaviours in youth-soccer players

European Journal of Sport Science ◽

10.1080/17461391.2018.1536171 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (5) ◽

pp. 576-584 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Craig M. Whitworth-Turner ◽

Rocco Di Michele ◽

Ian Muir ◽

Warren Gregson ◽

Barry Drust

Keyword(s):

Training Load ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Youth Soccer

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Predictive Analytic Techniques to Identify Hidden Relationships between Training Load, Fatigue and Muscle Strains in Young Soccer Players

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports10010003 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 3

Author(s):

Mauro Mandorino ◽

António J. Figueiredo ◽

Gianluca Cima ◽

Antonio Tessitore

Keyword(s):

Area Under The Curve ◽

Predictive Ability ◽

Peak Height ◽

Neuromuscular Fatigue ◽

Training Load ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Support Vector ◽

Peak Height Velocity ◽

Injury Surveillance System

This study aimed to analyze different predictive analytic techniques to forecast the risk of muscle strain injuries (MSI) in youth soccer based on training load data. Twenty-two young soccer players (age: 13.5 ± 0.3 years) were recruited, and an injury surveillance system was applied to record all MSI during the season. Anthropometric data, predicted age at peak height velocity, and skeletal age were collected. The session-RPE method was daily employed to quantify internal training/match load, and monotony, strain, and cumulative load over the weeks were calculated. A countermovement jump (CMJ) test was submitted before and after each training/match to quantify players’ neuromuscular fatigue. All these data were used to predict the risk of MSI through different data mining models: Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM). Among them, SVM showed the best predictive ability (area under the curve = 0.84 ± 0.05). Then, Decision tree (DT) algorithm was employed to understand the interactions identified by the SVM model. The rules extracted by DT revealed how the risk of injury could change according to players’ maturity status, neuromuscular fatigue, anthropometric factors, higher workloads, and low recovery status. This approach allowed to identify MSI and the underlying risk factors.

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Influence of 2D:4D ratio on fitness parameters and accumulated training load in elite youth soccer players

BMC Sports Science Medicine and Rehabilitation ◽

10.1186/s13102-021-00354-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Hadi Nobari ◽

Ana Ruivo Alves ◽

Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽

Jorge Pérez-Gómez

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Muscular Strength ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Knee Extensor ◽

Training Load ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Fitness Parameters ◽

Three Stages ◽

Left And Right

Abstract Background Digit ratio (2D:4D) characterized by the length of the second digit (2D) divided by the length of the fourth digit (4D), is a powerful marker of athletic performance. Some studies showed a negative correlation between 2D:4D ratio and sports performances. Objectives The purpose of the present study was three-fold: (1) to analyze the influence of anthropometric and 2D:4D ratio on variations of accumulated training load (ATL) and fitness parameters: maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), countermovement jump (CMJ), isometric muscular strength of the knee extensor for hamstring (ISH) and flexor for quadriceps (ISQ) muscles; along three stages of evaluation of soccer players based on playing positions; (2) to analyze the correlations between 2D:4D ratio and aforementioned parameters; and (3) to investigate if variance in fitness levels and ATL can explain the 2D:4D ratio. Methods Twenty-four elite players under 17 years were daily monitored for their rating perceived exertion and ATL across 24 weeks over the season. Soccer players have also measured in three stages for anthropometric traits and fitness parameters. Results Significant differences were observed between playing positions for body mass, goalkeepers had higher body mass compared to centre-midfielder and winger players. Moreover, there were significant differences in ATL between early-season to mid-season in goalkeepers (P = 0.032). The 2D:4D ratio (left and right) shown largely and negatively association with muscular strength (ISQ: r = − 0.80; r = − 0.78, P ≤ 0.001, ISH: r = − 0.63; r = − 0.62, P = 0.001, respectively) and VO2max changes (r = − 0.55, P = 0.005; r = − 0.50, P = 0.013, respectively); lastly, both 2D:4D ratio significantly predicted changes in muscular strength and VO2max in young soccer players. Conclusions Goalkeepers tended to have higher body mass compared to centre-midfielder and winger players; and 2D:4D ratio revealed a mighty predictor of physical fitness changes in soccer players. Evidence should be helpful to professionals to highlight the usefulness of the 2D:4D into the identification of talent, but also to optimize young players' performance.

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

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/1747954118771182 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. 429-430 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Barry Drust

Keyword(s):

Training Load ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Individual Approach ◽

Premier League ◽

English Premier League

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The Influence of Changes in Acute Training Load on Daily Sensitivity of Morning-Measured Fatigue Variables in Elite Soccer Players

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2016-0433 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 12 (s2) ◽

pp. S2-107-S2-113 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Robin T. Thorpe ◽

Anthony J. Strudwick ◽

Martin Buchheit ◽

Greg Atkinson ◽

Barry Drust ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

High Speed ◽

Muscle Soreness ◽

Linear Models ◽

Heart Rate Recovery ◽

Training Load ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Daily Training ◽

Submaximal Heart Rate

Purpose:To determine the sensitivity of a range of potential fatigue measures to daily training load accumulated over the previous 2, 3, and 4 d during a short in-season competitive period in elite senior soccer players (N = 10).Methods:Total highspeed-running distance, perceived ratings of wellness (fatigue, muscle soreness, sleep quality), countermovement-jump height (CMJ), submaximal heart rate (HRex), postexercise heart-rate recovery (HRR), and heart-rate variability (HRV: Ln rMSSD) were analyzed during an in-season competitive period (17 d). General linear models were used to evaluate the influence of 2-, 3-, and 4-d total high-speed-running-distance accumulation on fatigue measures.Results:Fluctuations in perceived ratings of fatigue were correlated with fluctuations in total high-speed-running-distance accumulation covered on the previous 2 d (r = –.31; small), 3 d (r = –.42; moderate), and 4 d (r = –.28; small) (P < .05). Changes in HRex (r = .28; small; P = .02) were correlated with changes in 4-d total high-speed-running-distance accumulation only. Correlations between variability in muscle soreness, sleep quality, CMJ, HRR%, and HRV and total high-speed-running distance were negligible and not statistically significant for all accumulation training loads.Conclusions:Perceived ratings of fatigue and HRex were sensitive to fluctuations in acute total high-speed-running-distance accumulation, although sensitivity was not systematically influenced by the number of previous days over which the training load was accumulated. The present findings indicate that the sensitivity of morning-measured fatigue variables to changes in training load is generally not improved when compared with training loads beyond the previous day’s training.

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