scholarly journals External and Internal Loads in Sports Science: Time to Rethink?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernardo Ide ◽  
Amanda Silvatti ◽  
Craig Staunton ◽  
Moacir Marocolo ◽  
Dustin Oranchuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Biological Tissues ◽  
The Body ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Measuring System ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Sports Science ◽  
System Of Units ◽  
Time Distance ◽  
Displacement Speed

The International System of Units (SI) was adopted in 1960 as a universal measuring system to be used for all areas of science. Sports Science papers have shown lots of inaccurate and inappropriate terms for quantification of athletes’ performance and the psychobiological responses to exercise (e.g., internal load). In biomechanics, external and internal loads are forces acting externally and internally, inducing stress and strain in the biological tissues. Therefore, the current review present simple proposals to correct the inappropriate terms: 1) do not use the term external load when referring to the assessment of exercise time, distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration, torque, work, power, impulse, etc.; 2) do not use the term internal load when referring to the assessment of psychobiological stress markers (i.e., session rating of perceived exertion, heart rate, blood lactate, oxygen consumption, etc.); 3) do not use the term impulse when expressing other calculus than integrating force with respect to time, and neither strain, when expressing other phenomena than the body deformation. Instead, the term exercise intensity is universal and can be used to describe all forms of exercise. Finally, duration should precisely be described according to physical quantities (e.g., time, distance, displacement, speed, velocity, acceleration, force, torque, work, power, impulse, etc.) and the units accomplish by use of the SI. These simple quantifications can be performed for the exercises, sessions, microcycles, mesocycles and macrocycles of the athletes. Such standardization will provide a consistent and clear communication among sports scientists and all areas of science.

Quantification method influences training load change in high school cross-country runners across a competitive season

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Micah C. Garcia ◽  
Brett S. Pexa ◽  
Kevin R. Ford ◽  
Mitchell J. Rauh ◽  
David M. Bazett-Jones
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Time Distance ◽  
Cross Country ◽  
Cross Country Runners ◽  
External Loads

Abstract Context: Running programs traditionally monitor external loads (e.g., time, distance). There has been a recent movement to encompass a more comprehensive approach to also monitor training loads that account for internal loads (e.g., intensity, measured as session rating of perceived exertion [sRPE]). The combination of an external and internal load accounts for the potential interaction between these loads. While differences in weekly change in training loads have been reported between external loads and the combination of an external and internal load during 2- and 4-week training cycles, there are no reports whether these differences are apparent during an entire cross-country season in high school runners. Objective: To compare change in training loads, as measured by external loads and combinations of an external and internal load, in high school runners during an interscholastic cross-country season. Design: Case-series. Setting: Community-based with daily online surveys. Participants: Twenty-four high school cross-country runners (female=14, male=10, age=15.9±1.1 years, running experience=9.9±3.2 years). Main Outcome Measure(s): Week-to-week percent change in training load when measured by external loads (time, distance) and the combination of an external and internal load (timeRPE, distanceRPE). Results: Overall, the average weekly change was 7.1% greater for distanceRPE compared to distance (p=.04, d=0.18). When decreasing weekly running duration, the average weekly change was 5.2% greater for distanceRPE compared to timeRPE (p=.03, d=0.24). When maintaining or increasing weekly running duration, the average weekly change was 10–15% greater when an external load was combined with an internal load compared to external loads alone, but these differences were non- significant (p=.11–.22, d=0.19–0.34). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that progression in training load may be underestimated when relying solely on external loads. The interaction between internal loads (sRPE) and external loads (distance or time) appears to provide a different measure of training stresses experienced by runners than external loads alone.

Effectiveness of daily subjective wellness measurements via mobile applications in predicting perceived exertion and training load

2021 ◽  
pp. 175433712110490
Author(s):  
Montgomery Bertschy ◽  
Jeffrey T Howard ◽  
Sakiko Oyama ◽  
Tianou Zhang ◽  
Kelly Cheever
Keyword(s):  
Mobile Application ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Student Athlete ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Point Increase ◽  
Time Distance ◽  
And Training

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of presession subjective wellness, measured by a mobile application, in predicting the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and training load for collegiate female soccer players throughout all training sessions of a competitive season. Thirty-three training sessions over 10 weeks involving 23 subjects were analyzed. Before each training session, players self-reported wellness measurements (sleep quality, stress, mood, soreness, fatigue, and sleep duration) through a mobile application questionnaire. Training load (active time, distance, GPS session load, and sprint score) was measured by GPS. RPE was self-reported immediately after training sessions. Generalized estimating equations found that presession wellness scores had a significant effect on postsession RPE. A 1 point increase in the wellness score corresponded with a significant increase in RPE ([Formula: see text] = 0.4[Formula: see text], 95% CI (0.05–0.91), p = 0.029). Wellness component of mood had a significant effect on RPE as noted by a 1 SD increase that corresponded to an increase in RPE ([Formula: see text] = 0.[Formula: see text], 95% CI (0.07–0.30), p = 0.001). Psychosocial component of wellness (mood) played the most influential role in predicting RPE. The results suggest that monitoring student-athlete wellness may be helpful in regulating player internal load, and increasing player mood may also lower internal load.

scholarly journals Usefulness of Linear Mixed-Effects Models to Assess the Relationship between Objective and Subjective Internal Load in Team Sports

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 392
Author(s):  
Alice Iannaccone ◽  
Daniele Conte ◽  
Cristina Cortis ◽  
Andrea Fusco
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Subjective Measures ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Random Slopes ◽  
The Relationship

Internal load can be objectively measured by heart rate-based models, such as Edwards’ summated heart rate zones, or subjectively by session rating of perceived exertion. The relationship between internal loads assessed via heart rate-based models and session rating of perceived exertion is usually studied through simple correlations, although the Linear Mixed Model could represent a more appropriate statistical procedure to deal with intrasubject variability. This study aimed to compare conventional correlations and the Linear Mixed Model to assess the relationships between objective and subjective measures of internal load in team sports. Thirteen male youth beach handball players (15.9 ± 0.3 years) were monitored (14 training sessions; 7 official matches). Correlation coefficients were used to correlate the objective and subjective internal load. The Linear Mixed Model was used to model the relationship between objective and subjective measures of internal load data by considering each player individual response as random effect. Random intercepts were used and then random slopes were added. The likelihood-ratio test was used to compare statistical models. The correlation coefficient for the overall relationship between the objective and subjective internal data was very large (r = 0.74; ρ = 0.78). The Linear Mixed Model using both random slopes and random intercepts better explained (p < 0.001) the relationship between internal load measures. Researchers are encouraged to apply the Linear Mixed Models rather than correlation to analyze internal load relationships in team sports since it allows for the consideration of the individuality of players.

Recovery Kinetics Following Small-Sided Games in Competitive Soccer Players: Does Player Density Size Matter?

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Papanikolaou ◽  
Panagiotis Tsimeas ◽  
Angeliki Anagnostou ◽  
Alexandros Varypatis ◽  
Christos Mourikis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Complete Recovery ◽  
Neuromuscular Fatigue ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Heart Rate Monitors ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Exercise Induced ◽  
Size Matter ◽  
Kinetics Of

Purpose: To examine the recovery kinetics of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD), neuromuscular fatigue, and performance following small-sided games (SSGs) of different densities in soccer. Methods: Ten male players randomly completed 3 trials: a control trial (no SSGs), 4v4 SSGs (62.5 m2/player), and 8v8 SSGs (284.4 m2/player). External and internal load were monitored using GPS technology, heart-rate monitors, and rating of perceived exertion. Delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), creatine kinase (CK), isokinetic strength, countermovement jump (CMJ), and sprint were determined at baseline, as well as at 24, 48, and 72 hours post-SSGs. Neuromuscular fatigue was assessed at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 hours post-SSGs. Results: DOMS increased (P < .05) in 4v4 for 72 hours and in 8v8 for 24 hours with that of knee flexors being more pronounced than that of extensors. CK increased (P < .05) in 4v4 for 72 hours and in 8v8 for 24 hours. Neuromuscular fatigue increased (P < .05) in 4v4 for 2 hours and in 8v8 for 3 hours. Strength declined (P < .05) in 4v4 for 48 hours and in 8v8 for 72 hours. CMJ decreased (P < .05) in 4v4 for 24 hours and in 8v8 for 48 hours. Sprint decreased (P < .05) for 48 hours in 4v4 and for 72 hours in 8v8. Conclusions: SSGs are associated with a prolonged rise of EIMD and induce short-term neuromuscular fatigue and slow recovery kinetics of strength, jump, and sprinting performance. The time for complete recovery is longer for SSGs of lower density.

Internal Load of Female Varsity Ice Hockey Players During Training and Games During a Season

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Lynne Bigg ◽  
Alexander Shand Davis Gamble ◽  
Lawrence L. Spriet
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Cohort Study ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Strong Correlation ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Hockey Players ◽  
Training Impulse

AbstractThis study quantified internal load, using sessional rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) and heart-rate derived training impulse (TRIMP), of female varsity ice hockey players throughout a season. Twenty-four female (19.8±1.4 yr, 68.0±6.9 kg) varsity ice hockey players participated in this prospective cohort study. Internal load was captured using sRPE and TRIMP for each on-ice session. Internal load was significantly higher (p<0.05) for games (sRPE: 324±202 AU, TRIMP: 95±60 AU) compared to training (sRPE: 248±120 AU, TRIMP: 68±32 AU). Overall, goalies had a higher internal load than forwards (sRPE and TRIMP) and defence (TRIMP), with no differences between forwards and defence. Micro-cycle periodization was present, with training sessions several days prior to game days having the highest internal load (sRPE and TRIMP) and tapering down as subsequent training sessions approached game day. For the meso-cycle assessment, for both training and competition combined, the post-season sRPE was greater than the pre-season (p=0.002) and regular season (p<0.001). Lastly, the association between sRPE and TRIMP, revealed a large, statistically significant relationship (r=0.592, p<0.001). Internal load was greater during competitions, training sessions and subsequent internal loads suggested prioritization around game days, the post-season phase demanded the highest internal load and there was a strong correlation between sRPE and TRIMP.

Relationship Between External and Internal Load Measures in Youth Beach Handball

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Alice Iannaccone ◽  
Andrea Fusco ◽  
Antanas Skarbalius ◽  
Audinga Kniubaite ◽  
Cristina Cortis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Mixed Model ◽  
Linear Mixed Model ◽  
Random Effect ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
And Training

Purpose: Assessing the relationship between external load (EL) and internal load (IL) in youth male beach handball players. Methods: A total of 11 field players from the Lithuanian U17 beach handball team were monitored across 14 training sessions and 7 matches. The following EL variables were assessed by means of inertial movement units: PlayerLoad™, accelerations, decelerations, changes of direction, and jumps and total of inertial movements. IL was assessed objectively and subjectively using the summated heart rate zones and training load calculated via session rating of perceived exertion, respectively. Spearman correlations (ρ) were used to assess the relationship between EL and IL. The interindividual variability was investigated using linear mixed models with random intercepts with IL as dependent variable, PlayerLoad™ as the independent variable, and players as random effect. Results: The lowest significant (P < .05) relationship was for high jumps with objective (ρ = .56) and subjective (ρ = .49) IL. The strongest relationship was for PlayerLoad™ with objective (ρ = .9) and subjective (ρ = .84) IL. From the linear mixed model, the estimated SD of the random intercepts was 19.78 arbitrary units (95% confidence interval, 11.75–33.31); SE = 5.26, and R2 = .47 for the objective IL and 6.03 arbitrary units (95% confidence interval, 0.00–7330.6); SE = 21.87; and R2 = .71 for the subjective IL. Conclusions: Objective and subjective IL measures can be used as a monitoring tool when EL monitoring is not possible. Coaches can predict IL based on a given EL by using the equations proposed in this study.

Breaking Away: Effects of Nonuniform Pacing on Power Output and Growth of Rating of Perceived Exertion

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 352-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob Cohen ◽  
Bridgette Reiner ◽  
Carl Foster ◽  
Jos J. de Koning ◽  
Glenn Wright ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Power Output ◽  
Cycle Time ◽  
Growth Pattern ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Time Trial ◽  
Normal Growth ◽  
Reciprocal Relationship ◽  
The Body ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
The Brain

The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) normally grows as a scalar function of relative competitive distance, suggesting that it may translate between the brain and body relative to managing fatigue during time-trial exercise. In nonstandard pacing situations, a reciprocal relationship between RPE and power output (PO) would be predicted.Purpose:To determine whether PO would decrease when RPE was forced above the normal growth curve during a cycle time trial.Methods:Well-trained cyclists performed randomly ordered 10-km cycle time trials. In CONTROL they rode at their own best pace throughout. In BURST, they made a 1-km “burst” at the 4-km mark and then finished as rapidly as possible.Results:CONTROL was significantly (P < .05) faster than BURST (16:36 vs 17:00 min). During CONTROL, responses between 4 and 5 km were PO, 240 W; RPE, 5–6; and blood lactate [HLa], 8–9 mmol/L. During BURST PO increased to 282 W, then fell to 220 W after the burst and remained below CONTROL until the end spurt (9 km). RPE increased to 9 during the burst but returned to the normal RPE growth pattern by 6 km; [HLa] increased to ~13 mmol/L after the burst and remained elevated throughout the remainder of the trial.Conclusions:The reciprocal behavior of RPE and PO after BURST supports the hypothesis that RPE translates between the brain and the body during heavy exercise. However, the continuing reduction of PO after the burst, even after RPE returned to its normal growth pattern, suggests that PO is regulated in a more complex manner than reflected solely by RPE.

The Effects of Training Volume and Repetition Distance on Session Rating of Perceived Exertion and Internal Load in Swimmers

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 848-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Renato Barroso ◽  
Diego F. Salgueiro ◽  
Everton C. do Carmo ◽  
Fábio Y. Nakamura
Keyword(s):  
Relative Intensity ◽  
Critical Speed ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Training Volume ◽  
Swimming Training ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Session Duration ◽  
M 10

Purpose:To assess swimmers’ session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) after standardized sets of interval swimming training performed at the same relative intensity but with different total volume and repetition distance.Methods:Thirteen moderately trained swimmers (21.1 ± 1.1 y, 178 ± 6 cm, 74.1 ± 8.3 kg, 100-m freestyle 60.2 ± 2.9 s) performed 4 standardized sets (10 × 100-m, 20 × 100-m, 10 × 200-m, and 5 × 400-m) at the same relative intensity (ie, critical speed), and 1 coach (age 31 y, 7 y coaching experience) rated their efforts. Swimmers’ sRPE was assessed 30 min after the training session. Coach sRPE was collected before each training session. Internal load was calculated by multiplying sRPE by session duration.Results:When bouts with the same repetition distance and different volumes (10 × 100-m vs 20 × 100-m) are compared, sRPE and internal load are higher in 20 × 100-m bouts. When maintaining constant volume, sRPE and internal load (20 × 100-m, 10 × 200-m, and 5 × 400-m) are higher only in 5 × 400-m bouts. The coach’s and swimmers’ sRPE differed in 10 × 200-m and 5 × 400-m.Conclusions:These results indicate that sRPE in swimming is affected not only by intensity but also by volume and repetition distance. In addition, swimmers’ and the coach’s sRPE were different when longer repetition distances were used during training sessions. Therefore, care should be taken when prescribing swimming sessions with longer volume and/or longer repetition distances.

scholarly journals Reproducibility of Acute Steroid Hormone Responses in Men to Short-Duration Running

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1430-1437
Author(s):  
Diogo V. Leal ◽  
Lee Taylor ◽  
John Hough
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
The Body ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Physiological Strain ◽  
Overtraining Syndrome ◽  
Coefficients Of Variation ◽  
Sensitive Tool ◽  
Hormone Responses

Purpose: Progressively overloading the body to improve physical performance may lead to detrimental states of overreaching/overtraining syndrome. Blunted cycling-induced cortisol and testosterone concentrations have been suggested to indicate overreaching after intensified training periods. However, a running-based protocol is yet to be developed or demonstrated as reproducible. This study developed two 30-min running protocols, (1) 50/70 (based on individualized physical capacity) and (2) RPETP (self-paced), and measured the reproducibility of plasma cortisol and testosterone responses. Methods: Thirteen recreationally active, healthy men completed each protocol (50/70 and RPETP) on 3 occasions. Venous blood was drawn preexercise, postexercise, and 30 min postexercise. Results: Cortisol was unaffected (both P > .05; 50/70,  = .090; RPETP,  = .252), while testosterone was elevated (both P < .05; 50/70, 35%,  = .714; RPETP, 42%,  = .892) with low intraindividual coefficients of variation (CVi) as mean (SD) (50/70, 7% [5%]; RPETP, 12% [9%]). Heart rate (50/70, effect size [ES] = 0.39; RPETP, ES = −0.03), speed (RPETP, ES = −0.09), and rating of perceived exertion (50/70 ES = −0.06) were unchanged across trials (all CVi < 5%, P < .05). RPETP showed greater physiological strain (P < .01). Conclusions: Both tests elicited reproducible physiological and testosterone responses, but RPETP induced greater testosterone changes (likely due to increased physiological strain) and could therefore be considered a more sensitive tool to potentially detect overtraining syndrome. Advantageously for the practitioner, RPETP does not require a priori exercise-intensity determination, unlike the 50/70, enhancing its integration into practice.

scholarly journals An Approach to the Fatigue in Young Soccer Players Resulting from Sided Games

Sports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 174
Author(s):  
Daniel Castillo ◽  
Javier Yanci ◽  
Silvia Sánchez-Díaz ◽  
Javier Raya-González
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Total Duration ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Training Context ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Bout Duration ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Age Category

It is crucial to understand the fatigue associated with sided games (SGs) of soccer in the training context, in order to establish the appropriate intervals between training sessions. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different SGs on internal load, measured by the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), and on sprint performance. Ten outfield players (age: 14.5 ± 0.5 years, height: 169 ± 6 cm, body mass: 59.7 ± 6.4 kg) belonging to U15 age category participated in this study. The participants played four SG formats with modifications in the pitch size and in the bout duration, but with the same total duration for the SGs (SG1, SG2, SG3, and SG4). All the players performed a 10 and a 30 m sprint test before and after the SGs. The internal load was measured by the sRPE. The results showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the sRPE registered by the soccer players for the different SGs, but worse sprint performances over the 10 m (p < 0.05; ES: 0.74–1.38, large) and 30 m (p < 0.05; ES: 0.70–2.10, moderate to large) distances after completion of the SGs, except the 10 m sprint after SG2 and SG3 (p > 0.05; ES: 0.43–0.55, moderate). In addition, no correlation (p > 0.05) was reported between the sprint performances for the 10 and 30 m distances and the sRPE registered during the SGs. These results could be useful for technical staff wishing to design the playing area and bout duration of their training tasks effectively.

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