Monitoring Internal Load with a Mobile App in Professional Soccer Players after the COVID-19 Lockdown (Readiness Soccer): Observational Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salvador Moreno-Gutierrez ◽  
Oresti Banos ◽  
Miguel Damas ◽  
Hector Pomares ◽  
Paula Postigo-Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Soreness ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Performance Estimation ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Professional Soccer ◽  
Competitive Season ◽  
System Usability Scale ◽  
Sleep Satisfaction

BACKGROUND Heavy physical and mental loads are typical for professional soccer players during the competitive season. COVID-19 lockdowns had recently forced competitions to be interrupted and later disputed in a shrunken calendar. Wearable sensors and mobile phones could be potentially useful in monitoring players’ training load in such highly demanding environments. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to explore whether remote heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring and self-reported wellness of professional soccer players could be useful to monitor players’ internal training load and to estimate their performance during the continuation of the 2020 season after the COVID-19 lockdown in Spain. METHODS A total of 21 professional soccer players participated in a 6-week study. Participants used an Android or iOS-based smartphone and a Polar H10 wearable ECG monitor for the duration of the study. Every morning they recorded their HRV and answered a questionnaire about their perceived recovery, muscle soreness, stress and sleep satisfaction. Smallest worthwhile change (SWC) and coefficient of variation (CV) were calculated for the logarithm of the root mean square of the successives differences (LnRMSSD) of the HRV. Players’ in-game performance was evaluated subjectively by independent observers and classified as high, normal and low. In order to find which variables could be potentially linked to performance, we studied their correlation and tested for significant differences among distributions. We also trained random forest models with cross-validation and bootstrapping to find the wellness and HRV features with best predictive ability for performance. RESULTS We found the usability of Readiness Soccer in a real scenario to be very good, with 81.36 points in the System Usability Scale. A total of 241 measurements of HRV and self-reported wellness were recorded. For a entire training microcycle (ie, time in between matches), self-reported high recovery (Mann-Whitney U, P=.003), low muscle soreness (P=.002), high sleep satisfaction (P=.02), low stress (Anderson-Darling, P=.03), and not needing more than 30 minutes to sleep since going to bed (Chi-Squared, P=.02), were found significant to differentiate high from normal match performance. Performance estimation models achieved the highest accuracy (73.4%) when combining self-reported wellness and HRV features. CONCLUSIONS HRV and self-reported wellness data were useful to monitor the evolution of professional soccer players’ internal load and to predict match performance levels out of measures in a training microcycle. Despite the limitations, these findings highlight opportunities for long-term monitoring of soccer players during the competitive season as well as real-time interventions aimed at early management of overtraining and boosting individual performance.

scholarly journals Relationships Between Aerobic Performance, Hemoglobin Levels, and Training Load During Small-Sided Games: A Study in Professional Soccer Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeid Younesi ◽  
Alireza Rabbani ◽  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Rui Silva ◽  
Hugo Sarmento ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Training Load ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Aerobic Performance ◽  
Maximum Speed ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Physiological Profile ◽  
Professional Soccer ◽  
Negative Relationships ◽  
External Loads ◽  
And Training

The purposes of this study were (1) to analyze between-session variations of external and internal load measures during small-sided games (SSGs) and (2) to test the relationships between the maximum speed reached (VIFT) during the last stage of the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test, hemoglobin levels, and training load measures during SSG intervals among professional soccer players. Sixteen professional soccer players (mean ± SD; age 27.2 ± 3.4 years, height 174.2 ± 3.6 cm, body mass 69.1 ± 6.4 kg, and body fat 10.4 ± 4.1%) participated in this study. Hemoglobin and aerobic performance were first tested, and then a 3-week SSG program was applied using a 3 vs. 3 format. During those 3 weeks, internal and external load of entire sessions were also monitored for all training sessions. Trivial-to-small, standardized differences were observed between sessions for external and internal measures during SSGs. Total distance (TD) and mechanical work (MW) were the only variables that indicated small changes. Large-to-very-large relationships were found between VIFT and external loads: TD (r range: 0.69; 0.87), high-intensity running (HIR; r range: 0.66; 0.75), and MW (r range: 0.56; 0.68). Moderate-to-large negative relationships were found between hemoglobin levels and internal loads: Edwards’ TRIMP (r range: −0.36; −0.63), %HRmax (r range: −0.50; −0.61), and red zone (r range: −0.50; −0.61). VIFT had unclear relationships with overall internal loads, while hemoglobin levels presented unclear relationships with overall external loads. In conclusion, no meaningful changes were found between sessions considering the format of play used. Additionally, the detected relationships indicate that VIFT and hemoglobin levels are good indicators of the performance capacity and physiological profile of players during SSGs. Also, the use of SSGs protocols as a monitoring complement of the 30-15IFT is suggested.

scholarly journals Internal training load and fitness profile between adult team versus junior team soccer players

Kinesiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-77
Author(s):  
Alireza Rabbani ◽  
Del P. Wong ◽  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Mehdi Kargarfard
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Intervals ◽  
High Intensity ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Change Of Direction ◽  
Professional Soccer ◽  
Competitive Season ◽  
And Training

The aim of the present study was to compare the fitness profiles and internal training loads between senior team and academy team soccer players during an in-season phase. Twenty-two professional soccer players from the senior team (n=12; 28.3<img width="12" alt="" height="20"> 2.0 years) and under 19 (U19) team (n=10; 18.0<img width="12" alt="" height="20"> 0.4 years) of the same club participated in the present study. High-intensity running performance, acceleration, maximal sprint, and change of direction (COD) ability were all tested during the mid-season break of a competitive season. Session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) reflecting the internal training load during the entire first half of the season was being documented daily. Senior players showed small to moderate superiority in COD (1.8%, 90% confidence intervals [CI, -3.2; 7.1], ES: 0.24 [-0.44; 0.92]), maximal sprint (2.3%, [0.0; 4.7], ES: 0.81 [0.00; 1.63]) and acceleration (3%, [0.2; 5.8], ES: 0.96 [0.06; 1.85]). The U19 showed small better high-intensity intermittent running fitness (2.5%, [-1.2; 6.3], ES: 0.39 [-0.20; 0.97]). When analyzing internal training loads (from M-3 to M+3), the U19 showed small to very large higher sRPE values for all days (range; 8.2%; 229.3%, [-8.1; 328.3], ES range; 0.25; 2.70, [-0.26; 3.3]), except for match days (M), on which unclear trivial difference was observed (-1.5%, [-9.6; 7.5], ES -0.09 [-0.65; 0.46]). Our results showed that senior players and youth players had different fitness profiles and internal training loads during the first half of a competitive season; this should be taken into consideration when designing specific and individualized recovery and training sessions.

scholarly journals Comparación de la percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo entre partidos amistosos y diferentes tipos de sesión en futbolistas profesionales (Comparison of perceived exertion in friendly matches and different types of training sessions in professional soccer p

Retos ◽  
2017 ◽  
pp. 66-70
Author(s):  
Miguel Ángel Campos Váquez ◽  
Francisco Javier Toscano Belanda
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Professional Soccer ◽  
Different Types

El objetivo de la investigación fue comparar la percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo (RPE) y la carga derivada de ella (RPE-TL) durante partidos amistosos (PA) con una participación de 45 minutos por jugador (PA.45) o superior a 65 minutos (PA+65), y diferentes tipos de sesión de entrenamiento: condición física (CF), táctica (TAC) y activación pre-partido (ACTV), en jugadores profesionales de fútbol. 12 futbolistas pertenecientes al mismo equipo (1ª división española) participaron en este estudio. La RPE fue registrada tras cada sesión de entrenamiento y PA, cuantificándose posteriormente la carga interna derivada de ella (RPE-TL). Los resultados reflejaron que los PA+65, tuvieron una RPE substancialmente mayor que los PA.45 (7.8 vs 6.8). Además, todos los tipos de sesión reflejaron una RPE y RPE-TL substancialmente inferior a los PA+65. Tan solo las sesiones de CF alcanzaron valores de RPE y RPE-TL superiores a los reflejados en los PA.45 (7.1 vs. 6.8 y 597 vs. 509 unidades arbitrarias respectivamente). Estos resultados nos muestran que las demandas perceptuales de la competición no fueron replicadas en los diferentes tipos de sesiones de entrenamiento analizadas. Por tanto, podría ser necesario aumentar el volumen y/o la exigencia de algunas sesiones de entrenamiento, para someter a los jugadores a una exigencia similar a la de la competición. Abstract. The aim of the study was to compare perception of exertion (RPE) and RPE-derived internal training load between friendly matches (FM) played during 45 minutes (FM.45) or more than 65 minutes (FM+65), and different types of training sessions: fitness (FIT), tactical (TAC) and pre-match activation (ACTV) in professional soccer players. 12 soccer players from the same team (1st Spanish Division) participated in this study. RPE was registered after every training session and FM. Afterward, RPE-derived internal load was calculated (RPE-TL). Results showed that FM+65 obtained a substantially higher RPE than FM.45 (7.8 vs 6.8). Besides, all types of training sessions reflected a substantially lower RPE and RPE-TL than FM+65. Only FIT sessions reached RPE and RPE-TL values higher than those reflected in FM.45 (7.1 vs. 6.8 and 597 vs. 509 arbitrary units respectively). These results show that perceptual demands of competition were not replicated in the different types of training sessions analysed. It may be necessary to increase the volume and/or the exertion of certain training sessions to bring players closer to the demands of competition.

Acute, chronic and acute/chronic ratio between starters and non-starters professional soccer players across a competitive season

2021 ◽  
pp. 175433712110165
Author(s):  
Hadi Nobari ◽  
Daniel Castillo ◽  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Jorge Carlos-Vivas ◽  
Jorge Pérez-Gómez
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
The Body ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Physical Conditioning ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Total Distance ◽  
Professional Soccer ◽  
Competitive Season ◽  
Body Load

Quantifying the external training load across the season related to the starting status of players could be relevant for physical conditioning staff, since one of the main goals is to apply the adequate individual training load. Thus, the aims of this study were to (1) monitor the acute workload (wAW), chronic workload (wCW), and acute/chronic workload ratio (wACWR) on a weekly basis using the body load (BL) in starter and non-starter professional soccer players; and (2) analyze the differences between starters and non-starters for wAW, wCW, and wACWR using BL, and (3) analyze the weekly average of distance and sprint variables during four periods of the season (pre-, early-, mid-, and end-season). Twenty-one professional soccer players (28.3 ± 3.8 years; 181.2 ± 7.0 cm; 74.4 ± 7.7 kg) belonging to the same team competing in the Iranian Persian Gulf Pro League were evaluated for a period of 48 weeks (one soccer season). The season was divided into pre-season (weeks 1–5), early-season (weeks 6–19), mid-season (weeks 20–35), and end-season (weeks 36–48). Players were classified according to their starting status: players who were in the starting line-up (i.e. starters) and players who did not make the starting line-up (i.e. non-starters). The results showed greater weekly wAW and wCW for starters compared to non-starters during the mid-season (wAW: p = 0.008, g = −1.24; wCW: p = 0.006; g = −1.31) and end-season (wAW: p = 0.001, g = −1.66; wCW: p = 0.001; g = −1.62). Starters also showed greater weekly total distance (wTD), sprint total distance (wSTD), high-speed running distance (wHSRd), and repeated sprints compared with non-starters across all four periods ( p < 0.05; g = −1.36 to −4.95), higher wHSRd/wTD during pre-season ( p = 0.007, g = −1.28) and mid-season ( p = 0.001, g = −1.62) and a greater wSTD/wTD during pre-season ( p = 0.029, g = −0.99). Based on these findings, coaches and strength and conditioning specialists should individualize training according to match exposure throughout a competitive season.

Session-to-session variations of internal load during different small-sided games: a study in professional soccer players

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Saeid Younesi ◽  
Alireza Rabbani ◽  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Hugo Sarmento ◽  
António Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Soccer Players ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Professional Soccer

scholarly journals Internal and External Training Load in Under-19 versus Professional Soccer Players during the In-Season Period

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 558
Author(s):  
Sullivan Coppalle ◽  
Guillaume Ravé ◽  
Jason Moran ◽  
Iyed Salhi ◽  
Abderraouf Ben Abderrahman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Training Load ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Time Intervals ◽  
Professional Soccer ◽  
Global Positioning ◽  
External Training ◽  
Soccer Team

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.

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

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (s2) ◽  
pp. S2-107-S2-113 ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Differentiated perceived match load and its variability according to playing position in professional soccer players during an entire season

Kinesiology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-108
Author(s):  
Unai Azcárate ◽  
Javier Yanci ◽  
Asier Los Arcos
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Accurate Evaluation ◽  
Professional Soccer

The aims were to assess differentiated perceived match exertion and its variability according to playing position for professional soccer players. Nineteen Spanish players declared their respiratory and muscular perceived exertions (PEs) after official matches during an entire season. Players were classified according to their playing position. In order to assess differentiated perceived match exertion, soccer players were asked to assess their perceived level of exertion following each official match. Considerable differences (p&lt;.05; ES=.41-2.49) were found between some playing positions but not always in both dimensions of PE (respiratory and muscular). Advanced midfielders (AvMs), wide midfielders (WMs) and wing backs (WnBs) reported the highest match respiratory PE and muscular PE scores. Furthermore, match-to-match differentiated perceived match exertion variability ranged from 12.8 to 27.7% for respiratory perceived exertion and from 11.5 to 25.2% for muscular perceived exertion according to playing position. Match respiratory-muscular PE differences varied among the playing positions, showing higher muscular PE than respiratory PE in central backs (CBs), WMs and central midfielders (CMs) (p&lt;.05; ES=-.35 to .68), but higher respiratory PE than muscular PE in wing backs (p&lt;.05; ES=-.35). Soccer differentiated perceived match exertion is different inter and intra some playing positions, showing large swings for match-to-match variability between playing positions. These facts confirm that the deconstruction of the overall PE provides a more accurate evaluation of the subjective match internal load in some playing positions.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document