External Training Load Monitoring and the Impact on Training Load Management in Collegiate Male 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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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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Positional Differences in Elite Basketball: Selecting Appropriate Training-Load Measures

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2017-0534 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 947-952 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Luka Svilar ◽

Julen Castellano ◽

Igor Jukic ◽

David Casamichana

Keyword(s):

Principal Components ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Principal Component ◽

Training Load ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Change Of Direction ◽

External Variables ◽

Load Monitoring ◽

External Training ◽

Almost All

Purpose: To study the structure of interrelationships among external-training-load measures and how these vary among different positions in elite basketball. Methods: Eight external variables of jumping (JUMP), acceleration (ACC), deceleration (DEC), and change of direction (COD) and 2 internal-load variables (rating of perceived exertion [RPE] and session RPE) were collected from 13 professional players with 300 session records. Three playing positions were considered: guards (n = 4), forwards (n = 4), and centers (n = 5). High and total external variables (hJUMP and tJUMP, hACC and tACC, hDEC and tDEC, and hCOD and tCOD) were used for the principal-component analysis. Extraction criteria were set at an eigenvalue of greater than 1. Varimax rotation mode was used to extract multiple principal components. Results: The analysis showed that all positions had 2 or 3 principal components (explaining almost all of the variance), but the configuration of each factor was different: tACC, tDEC, tCOD, and hJUMP for centers; hACC, tACC, tCOD, and hJUMP for guards; and tACC, hDEC, tDEC, hCOD, and tCOD for forwards are specifically demanded in training sessions, and therefore these variables must be prioritized in load monitoring. Furthermore, for all playing positions, RPE and session RPE have high correlation with the total amount of ACC, DEC, and COD. This would suggest that although players perform the same training tasks, the demands of each position can vary. Conclusion: A particular combination of external-load measures is required to describe the training load of each playing position, especially to better understand internal responses among players.

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In-season internal and external training load quantification of an elite European soccer team

10.1101/489187 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Rafael Soares Oliveira ◽

João Paulo Brito ◽

Alexandre Martins ◽

Bruno Mendes ◽

Francisco Calvete ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Speed ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Training Load ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Soccer Teams ◽

External Training ◽

Daily Training ◽

Player Positions ◽

Level Of Effort

Elite soccer teams that participate in European competitions often have a difficult schedule, involving weeks in which they play up to three matches, which leads to acute and transient subjective, biochemical, metabolic and physical disturbances in players over the subsequent hours and days. Inadequate time recovery between matches can expose players to the risk of training and competing whilst not fully recovered. Controlling the level of effort and fatigue of players to reach higher performances during the matches is therefore critical. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to provide the first report of seasonal internal and external training load (TL) that included Hooper Index (HI) scores in elite soccer players during an in-season period. Sixteen elite soccer players were sampled, using global position system, session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) and HI scores during the daily training sessions throughout the 2015-2016 in-season period. Data were analysed across ten mesocycles (M: 1 to 10) and collected according to the number of days prior to a match. Total daily distance covered was higher at the start (M1 and M3) compared to the final mesocycle (M10) of the season. M1 (5589m) reached a greater distance than M5 (4473m) (ES = 9.33 [12.70, 5.95]) and M10 (4545m) (ES = 9.84 [13.39, 6.29]). M3 (5691m) reached a greater distance than M5 (ES = 9.07 [12.36, 5.78]), M7 (ES = 6.13 [8.48, 3.79]) and M10 (ES = 9.37 [12.76, 5.98]). High-speed running distance was greater in M1 (227m), than M5 (92m) (ES = 27.95 [37.68, 18.22]) and M10 (138m) (ES = 8.46 [11.55, 5.37]). Interestingly, the s-RPE response was higher in M1 (331au) in comparison to the last mesocycle (M10, 239au). HI showed minor variations across mesocycles and in days prior to the match. Every day prior to a match, all internal and external TL variables expressed significant lower values to other days prior to a match (p<0.01). In general, there were no differences between player positions. Conclusions: Our results reveal that despite the existence of some significant differences between mesocycles, there were minor changes across the in-season period for the internal and external TL variables used. Furthermore, it was observed that MD-1 presented a reduction of external TL (regardless of mesocycle) while internal TL variables did not have the same record during in-season match-day-minus.

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An examination of in-season external training load in semi-professional soccer players: considerations of one and two match weekly microcycles

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching ◽

10.1177/1747954120951762 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 174795412095176

Author(s):

William E Swallow ◽

Neil Skidmore ◽

Richard M Page ◽

James J Malone

Keyword(s):

High Speed ◽

Training Load ◽

Electromechanical System ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Mems Devices ◽

Progressive Reduction ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

External Training ◽

Mean Differences ◽

Micro Electromechanical System

The aim of the present study was to firstly, quantify the external training load (TL) of semi-professional soccer players during an annual season and secondly, to examine the influence of one (1MW) and two (2MW) match weekly microcycles. Data were collected from 24 semi-professional outfield soccer players during the 2018-2019 annual season using micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) devices for the following variables: Training duration (min), total distance (TD), Player Load (PL), high speed running (HSR) distance (5.5-7.0 m/s), and acceleration (ACC) efforts (>2 m/s2). Training sessions were defined as days before match day (i.e. MD minus), with match weeks broken down as either 1MW or 2MW. Data revealed higher TD, PL, and HSR distance on MD and MD-5 when compared to all other MD codes. MD-4 displayed significantly higher values compared to MD-1 (mean differences (M diff): TD: 785 ± 158 m; PL: 29 ± 9 au; HSR: 192 ± 63 m; ACC: 15 ± 3 #) and MD-2 (M diff: TD: 279 ± 137 m; HSR: 127 ± 54 m). During 2MW scenarios, both TD (M diff: 685 ± 328 m) and PL (M diff: 33 ± 14 au) were higher on MD-1 when compared to 1MW. However, lower values were observed for duration and HSR on MD-2 and MD-4 during 2MW compared to 1MW scenarios.These data suggest that there appears to be a progressive reduction in TD, PL, HSR and ACC leading into competitive matches based on MD- analysis. However, some variability exists in TL prescription as a result of different MW scenarios (i.e. 1MW vs. 2MW).

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Quantification of Training Load Relative to Match Load of Youth National Team Soccer Players

Sports Health A Multidisciplinary Approach ◽

10.1177/19417381211004902 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 194173812110049

Author(s):

Gyorgy Szigeti ◽

Gabor Schuth ◽

Peter Revisnyei ◽

Alija Pasic ◽

Adam Szilas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Intensity ◽

Total Duration ◽

Maximum Velocity ◽

Training Load ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Training Volume ◽

Level Of Evidence ◽

National Team ◽

Intensity Parameters ◽

External Training

Background: Previous studies have examined the training load relative to match load in club settings. The aims of this study were to (1) quantify the external training load relative to match load in days before a subsequent international game and (2) examine the cumulative training load in relation to match load of U-17 national team field soccer players. Hypothesis: Volume and intensity load parameters will vary between trainings; the farthermost trainings have the highest load gradually decreasing toward the match. Study Design: Prospective cohort study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: External training load data were collected from 84 youth national team players using global positioning technology between 2016 and 2020. In the national team setting, training load data were obtained from 3 days before the actual match day (MD-3, MD-2, MD-1 days) and analyzed with regard to the number of days up to the game. Volume and intensity parameters were calculated as a percentage of the subsequent match load. Results: Significant differences were found between MD-1 and MD-2, as well as between MD-1 and MD-3 for most volume parameters ( P < 0.01; effect sizes [ESs] 0.68-0.99) and high-intensity distance ( P < 0.002; ES 0.67 and 0.73) and maximum velocity ( P < 0.002; ES 0.82) as intensity parameters. Most cumulative values were significantly different from total duration ( P < 0.001, common language ES 0.80-0.96). Conclusion: The training volume gradually decreased as match day approached, with the highest volume occurring on MD-3. Intensity variables, such as maximum velocity, high-intensity accelerations, and meterage per minute were larger in MD-1 training relative to match load. Training volume was lowest in MD-1 trainings and highest in MD-3 trainings; intensity however varies between training days. Clinical Relevance: The findings of this study may help to understand the special preparational demands of international matches, highlighting the role of decreased training volume and increased intensity.

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Relationship Between Subjective and External Training Load Variables in Youth Soccer Players

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2019-0956 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Patrick C. Maughan ◽

Niall G. MacFarlane ◽

Paul A. Swinton

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Principal Component ◽

Component Analysis ◽

Training Load ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Depth Analysis ◽

External Training

Purpose: To quantify and describe relationships between subjective and external measures of training load in professional youth soccer players. Methods: Data from differential ratings of perceived exertion (dRPE) and 7 measures of external training load were collected from 20 professional youth soccer players over a 46-week season. Relationships were described by repeated-measures correlation, principal component analysis, and factor analysis with oblimin rotation. Results: Significant positive (.44 ≤ r ≤ .99; P < .001) within-individual correlations were obtained across dRPE and all external training load measures. Correlation magnitudes were found to decrease when training load variables were expressed per minute. Principal component analysis provided 2 components, which described 83.3% of variance. The first component, which described 72.9% of variance, was heavily loaded by all measures of training load, while the second component, which described 10.4% of the variance, appeared to have a split between objective and subjective measures of volume and intensity. Exploratory factor analysis identified 4 theoretical factors, with correlations between factors ranging from .5 to .8. These factors could be theoretically described as objective volume, subjective volume, objective running, and objective high-intensity measures. Removing dRPE measures from the analysis altered the structure of the model, providing a 3-factor solution. Conclusions: The dRPE measures are significantly correlated with a range of external training load measures and with each other. More in-depth analysis showed that dRPE measures were highly related to each other, suggesting that, in this population, they would provide practitioners with similar information. Further analysis provided characteristic groupings of variables.

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Wellbeing perception and the impact on external training output among elite soccer players

Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport ◽

10.1016/j.jsams.2017.03.019 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 29-34 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Shane Malone ◽

Adam Owen ◽

Matt Newton ◽

Bruno Mendes ◽

Leo Tiernan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soccer Players ◽

External Training ◽

The Impact

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Fluctuations of Training Load Variables in Elite Soccer Players U-14 throughout the Competition Season

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare9111418 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 1418

Author(s):

Hadi Nobari ◽

Masoud Kharatzadeh ◽

Sara Mahmoudzadeh Khalili ◽

Jorge Pérez-Gómez ◽

Luca Paolo Ardigò

Keyword(s):

Perceived Exertion ◽

Training Load ◽

Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Daily Monitoring ◽

Load Monitoring ◽

High Workload ◽

Soccer Teams ◽

Daily Training ◽

And Training

Excessive daily training load (TL) can affect the musculoskeletal system health of youth elite soccer players. The purposes of this study were (i) to describe the TL and session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) throughout the competition season; (ii) to analyze the weekly (w) differences of acute (daily) workload (wAWL), chronic workload (wCWL), acute–chronic workload ratio, training monotony (wTM), and training strain (wTS) among three periods over the season (early-, mid-, and end-season) by playing position; and (iii) to compare the TL variables during competition periods for the whole team. Twenty young elite soccer players in the under-14 category participated in this study. The game positions were considered as six wide defenders and wide midfielders (WM), five central defenders and central midfielders, and four strikers (ST). Daily monitoring was continued for 26 weeks during a full competition season. According to the league schedule, the season was divided into three periods: early-season from w1 to w8, mid-season from w9 to w17, and end-season from w18 to w26. The main results were that the higher TLs were detected in the early- and mid-season. There was a wAWL and wCWL decrease for all playing positions from early- to mid- and end-season, but the wCWL change was significant only from early- to mid-season (p ≤ 0.05). For all playing positions but ST, there was a considerable wTM increase from early- to mid-season. When compared with all other playing positions in terms of wAWL and wCWL, WM showed significantly greater values (p ≤ 0.05). Throughout the season periods, all workload indicators showed a considerable reduction, although there was a significant increase in the three other workload-derived variables (all with p ≤ 0.05) and namely: (i) wACWLR from mid- to end-season; (ii) wTM from early- to mid- and end-season; and (iii) wTS from early- to mid-season. Daily training load and s-RPE had significant fluctuations during all macrocycles of the competition season (p ≤ 0.05). In addition, in the mid-season, wTM and wTS were higher. Training load monitoring (in terms of, e.g., wAWL, wCWL, and s-RPE) could be the key for coaches of soccer teams to prevent overtraining and injury, especially in U-14 players, who are more susceptible to being affected by high workload.

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Relationships between RPE-derived internal training load parameters and GPS-based external training load variables in elite young soccer players

Research in Sports Medicine ◽

10.1080/15438627.2021.1937165 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Vicente de Dios-Álvarez ◽

David Suárez-Iglesias ◽

Sara Bouzas-Rico ◽

Pello Alkain ◽

Adrián González-Conde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Training Load ◽

Soccer Players ◽

External Training

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