A Novel Approach to Training Monotony and Acute-Chronic Workload Index: A Comparative Study in Soccer

Load is a multifactorial construct, but usually reduced to parameters of volume and intensity. In the last decades, other constructs have been proposed for assessing load, but also relying on relationships between volume and intensity. For example, Foster's Training Monotony has been used in athletes' load management simply by computing mean weekly load divided by its standard deviation, often multiplied by session rate of perceived exertion. Meanwhile, the Acute to Chronic Workload Ratio (ACWR) has been debated by the sport scientists as a useful monitoring metric and related to so-called injury prevention. None of these models includes parameters that are representative of training specificity, namely load orientation. The aim of this study is to present broader conceptual approaches translated by new indices for assessing Intraweek Training Monotony (ITM) and Acute to Chronic Workload Index (ACWI) while incorporating load orientation, session duration and weekly density (frequency normalized) in addition to parameters related to proxies of external and/or internal load. Our ITM and Foster's Training Monotony were similar in terms of average values, but very different for individualized analysis, illustrating how average values may be deceiving. While Foster's model provided clusters of values, ITM provided more scattered, individualized data. ACWI and ACWR provided very distinct qualitative information, and the two models were uncorrelated. Therefore, the models incorporating training load orientation presented in this study provide distinct and not redundant information when compared to previous models. More importantly, ITM and ACWI are metrics that are compatible to each other and might fit to coaches' monitoring targets in the short and medium terms, respectively. Because our models include several parameters, including load orientation, we contend that might provide a more complete monitoring tool. However, we suggest they are used for intraindividual comparisons and not so strongly for interindividual comparisons.

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

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2014-0410 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 848-852 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

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.

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

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18020392 ◽

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.

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Effects of Congested Fixture on Men’s Volleyball Load Demands: Interactions with Sets Played

Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology ◽

10.3390/jfmk6020053 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 53

Author(s):

Ricardo Lima ◽

Henrique de Oliveira Castro ◽

José Afonso ◽

Gustavo De Conti Teixeira Costa ◽

Sérgio Matos ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass ◽

Research Design ◽

External Load ◽

Significant Interaction ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Jump Height ◽

Internal Load ◽

Mixed Anova ◽

Notational Analysis ◽

Competitive Games

The purpose of this study was to compare the external load, internal load, and technical efficacy between the first and the second matches (M1 and M2) occurring in congested fixtures (two matches in two days) using the number of sets as a moderating factor. An observational analytic research design was adopted. Data from official volleyball matches were collected during the first competitive period of the championship, comprising 14 competitive games within 10 weeks. Ten male elite volleyball athletes (age: 21.7 ± 4.19 years of age; experience: 6.2 ± 3.8 years; body mass: 85.7 ± 8.69 kg; height: 192.4 ± 6.25 cm; BMI: 23.1 ± 1.40 kg/m2) participated in this study. Players were monitored for external load (number of jumps and height of jumps) and internal load (using the rate of perceived exertion—RPE). Additionally, notational analysis collected information about attack efficacy and receptions made during matches. The mixed ANOVA revealed no significant interaction between time (M1 vs. M2) and number of sets for number of jumps per minute (p = 0.235; ηp2 = 0.114), mean jump height (p = 0.076; ηp2 = 0.193), RPE (p = 0.261; ηp2 = 0.106), attack efficacy (p = 0.346; ηp2 = 0.085), Positive reception (p = 0.980; ηp2 = 0.002) and Perfect reception (p = 0.762; ηp2 = 0.022). In conclusion, congested fixtures do not seem to affect the performance of volleyball players negatively.

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

10.20944/preprints202111.0207.v1 ◽

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.

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

Kinesiology ◽

10.26582/k.52.1.13 ◽

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<.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<.05; ES=-.35 to .68), but higher respiratory PE than muscular PE in wing backs (p<.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.

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The Relationships between Internal and External Load Measures for Division I College Football Practice

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports8120165 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (12) ◽

pp. 165

Author(s):

Eric J. Sobolewski

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

External Load ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

American Football ◽

Division I ◽

Football Players ◽

Internal Load ◽

Total Distance ◽

Meaningful Relationships ◽

Training Impulse

The aim of this study is to explore the relationships between internal and external load measures in American football. Thirty football players wore a portable integrated monitor unit for 10 weeks during the fall football season. Relationships between internal and external load measurements were determined. Internal load consisted of heart rate zones and heart rate-derived measures and session Ratings of Perceived Exertion (sRPE). External load consisted of distance in different speed zones, total distance traveled, and accelerations. There were many significant positive relationships, but the meaningful relationships (r > 0.5) were between heart rate-derived measures of load (Training Impulse and heart rate reserve) and low-intensity movement and total distance. Only accelerations between 1 and 1.99 m·s−2 were moderately correlated to heart rate-derived internal load. RPE values alone did not correlate strong enough with any of the measure but sRPE training load (sRPE-TL) correlated to most external values. Overall, moderate correlations were present between heart rate-derived internal load to total distance and lower intensity movement. sRPE-TL values had high correlations but were highly dependent on duration, not perceived exertion. When addressing load in American football, duration of the session is a key component in determining internal load as HR data and sRPE alone do not correlate highly with external loads.

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Psychobiological Changes during National Futsal Team Training Camps and Their Relationship with Training Load

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17061843 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (6) ◽

pp. 1843

Author(s):

Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽

Ana Filipa Silva ◽

Hugo Sarmento ◽

Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo ◽

Yi-Wen Chiu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Muscle Soreness ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Well Being ◽

Training Load ◽

Maximum Speed ◽

Internal Load ◽

Delayed Onset ◽

Total Distance ◽

Dependent Relationship

The aim of this study was two-fold: (1) to analyze the within-week variations of heart rate, session-rated of perceived exertion (sRPE), total distance, distance in 8.0–11.99 km/h−1, recovery distance in 12.0–17.99 km/h−1, distance in >18.0 km/h−1, maximum speed, number of sprints, heart rate variability, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and fatigue during training camps of a national futsal team; and (2) to analyze the relationships between load and the well-being. Twenty-eight men from the Chinese Taipei U−20 national futsal team were analyzed. Comparisons of training days revealed that the total distance was significantly smaller on day 1 (d = −1.22) and day 6 (d = −1.95) than on day 3. The sRPE values were significantly lower on day 1 than days 4 (d = −1.53), 5 (d = −2.07), and 6 (d = −2.59). The relationships between training load and recovery parameters revealed moderate correlations between the DOMS and the sRPE recorded one (r = −0.321) and two days before training (r = −0.289). It is possible conclude that first day imposed a smaller external load and internal load, and that the internal load had a greater dependent relationship with reported DOMS and fatigue during the training camps.

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External and internal Load and their Effects on Professional Volleyball Training

International Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.1055/a-1087-2183 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (07) ◽

pp. 468-474

Author(s):

Ricardo Franco Lima ◽

Ana Silva ◽

José Afonso ◽

Henrique Castro ◽

Filipe Manuel Clemente

Keyword(s):

External Load ◽

Inertial Measurement Unit ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Measurement Unit ◽

Internal Load ◽

Monitoring Process ◽

Accurate Perception ◽

Positive Correlations ◽

The Impact ◽

External Loads

AbstractThe purpose of this study was twofold: (i) characterize the external and internal training load of professional volleyball players with a focus on intra-week changes and (ii) test the relationships between internal and external load measures. Eight male professional players (age: 23.0±5.22 yo; body mass: 84.5 ± 7.58 kg; height: 193.0±9.71 cm; BMI: 22.0±0.02 kg/m2) were monitored daily over 15 weeks. The monitoring process included both internal (rate of perceived exertion [RPE] and session-RPE [s-RPE]) and external load variables, which were measured by an inertial measurement unit. Results revealed that, within-week variations revealed that RPE was significantly higher during MD-2 (d=0.59) and MD-3 (d=0.56) than MD-1. A significantly higher number of jumps was observed on MD-2 than MD-1 (d=0.69). Considering the relationships between internal and external load measures, small positive correlations were found between RPE and the number of jumps (r=0.17) and between s-RPE and the number of jumps (r=0.49). In conclusion, a tapering strategy was observed on the day before a match, as internal and external loads decreased. Both internal and external load measures are necessary to provide an accurate perception of the impact of training stimuli on players.

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Effects of Small-Sided Soccer Games on Internal and External Load and Lower Limb Power: A Pilot Study in Collegiate Players

Human Movement ◽

10.1515/humo-2017-0007 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽

Pantelis Theodoros Nikolaidis ◽

Cornelis M. I. Niels Van Der Linden ◽

Bruno Silva

Keyword(s):

Global Positioning System ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

External Load ◽

Perceived Exertion ◽

Internal Load ◽

Squat Jump ◽

Global Positioning ◽

System Variables ◽

Physical Responses

AbstractPurpose. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of small-sided and conditioned games (SSG) on the internal load (heart rate [HR] and perceived exertion), external load (Global Positioning System variables), and lower limb power (squat jump [SJ] and countermovement jump [CMJ]).Methods. Six collegiate male soccer players (age 20.3 ± 4.8 years; maximal oxygen uptake 42.9 ± 2.7 ml/kg/min; maximal HR 184.7 bpm) performed three 2-min bouts of 1 vs. 1 and two 3-min bouts of 3 vs. 3 format with a work-to-rest ratio of 1:1.5. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures tested the effects of bouts and SSG formats on the internal and external load and on the lower limb power.Results. The 3Conclusions. Physiological and physical responses varied during bouts. Nevertheless, small differences between SSG formats were found. SSG bouts did not have significant impact on the lower limb power.

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Linear Manifold Regularization with Adaptive Graph for Semi-supervised Dimensionality Reduction

Proceedings of the Twenty-Sixth International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence ◽

10.24963/ijcai.2017/439 ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Kai Xiong ◽

Feiping Nie ◽

Junwei Han

Keyword(s):

Dimensionality Reduction ◽

Objective Function ◽

Linear Manifold ◽

Original Data ◽

Manifold Regularization ◽

Redundant Information ◽

Novel Approach ◽

Benchmark Datasets ◽

Optimal Graph ◽

Subsequent Task

Many previous graph-based methods perform dimensionality reduction on a pre-defined graph. However, due to the noise and redundant information in the original data, the pre-defined graph has no clear structure and may not be appropriate for the subsequent task. To overcome the drawbacks, in this paper, we propose a novel approach called linear manifold regularization with adaptive graph (LMRAG) for semi-supervised dimensionality reduction. LMRAG directly incorporates the graph construction into the objective function, thus the projection matrix and the optimal graph can be simultaneously optimized. Due to the structure constraint, the learned graph is sparse and has clear structure. Extensive experiments on several benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

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