Are male soccer players accumulating sufficient load across varying microcycle structures? Examining the load, wellness and training/match ratios of a professional team

Professional soccer involves varying numbers of training sessions and matches each week, which can influence load distribution. Understanding the exact distribution may allow appropriate load periodisation and planning for players. Thus, this study aimed to (i) compare accumulated load and wellness between weeks with different numbers of training sessions and (ii) compare training/match ratio (TMr) of external and internal load between weeks with different numbers of training sessions. Ten players with a minimum of 45 minutes of weekly match-play were analysed over 16 weeks. The microcycle structures consisted of three (3dW), four (4dW), five (5dW) and six (6dW) training sessions plus match-day per week. The following measures were used for analysis: duration, fatigue, quality of sleep, muscle soreness, stress, mood, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), session-RPE (s-RPE), high-speed running distance (HSR), sprint distance (SPD), number of accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC). Accumulated wellness/load were calculated by adding all training and match sessions, while TMr was calculated by dividing accumulated load by match data. The main results showed that accumulated wellness and load were significantly different, with moderate to very large effect sizes, except regarding mood, duration, s-RPE, SPD during 5dW vs. 6dW and s-RPE, HSR, SPD, ACC and DEC during 3dW vs. 4dW (all p > 0.05). Moreover, 6dW was significantly higher than 4dW regarding TMr of duration (p < 0.05, moderate effect size), RPE, HSR and SPD (all p < 0.05 with very large effect sizes) and for 3dW of HSR and ACC (p < 0.05 with very large effect sizes). This study showed that 5dW and 6dW had higher training measures than 3dW or 4dW. Additionally, higher wellness was presented in the microcycles with higher training frequencies. These findings suggest that physical load and wellness were not adjusted according to the number of training sessions within a microcycle.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Are non-starters accumulating enough load compared with starters? Examining load, wellness, and training/match ratios of a European professional soccer team

Background: The aims of the study were to: (i) compare accumulated load and wellness between starters and non-starters of a European professional soccer team; (ii) analyze the relationships between wellness and load measures and; (iii) compare training/match ratio (TMr) of external and internal load between starters and non-starters. Methods: Ten players were considered starters while seven were classified as non-starters over a 16-week period in which six training sessions and match day (MD) were considered in each weekly micro-cycle. The following measures were used: wellness (fatigue, quality of sleep, muscle soreness, stress, and mood); load (rated of perceived exertion (RPE), session-RPE (s-RPE), high-speed running (HSR), sprinting, accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC)). Accumulated wellness/load were calculated by summing all training and match sessions, while TMr was calculated by dividing accumulated training load by match data for all load measures and each player. Mann–Whitney U test was used for wellness variables, while independent T-test was used for the remaining variables to compare groups. Moreover, relationships among variables were explored using the Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficient. Results: The main results showed that non-starters presented higher significant values for fatigue (p < 0.019; g = 0.24) and lower significant values for duration (p < 0.006; ES = 1.81) and s-RPE (p < 0.001; ES = 2.69) when compared to starters. Moreover, positive and very large correlation was found between quality of sleep and RPE, while negative and very large correlation were found between stress and deceleration, and mood and deceleration (all, p < 0.05). Finally, non-starters presented higher values in all TMr than starters, namely, RPE (p = 0.001; g = 1.96), s-RPE (p = 0.002; g = 1.77), HSR (p = 0.001; g = 2.02), sprinting (p = 0.002; g = 4.23), accelerations (p = 0.001; g = 2.72), decelerations (p < 0.001; g = 3.44), and duration (p = 0.003; g = 2.27). Conclusions: In conclusion, this study showed that non-starters produced higher TMr in all examined variables despite the lower match and training durations when compared with starters, suggesting that physical load was adjusted appropriately. Additionally, higher RPE was associated with improved sleep while higher number of decelerations were associated with decreased wellness, namely, stress and mood for non-starters

Controlo da intensidade de esforço em Indoor Cycling: frequência cardíaca ou percepção subjetiva de esforço?

Dissertação de Mestrado em Ciências do Desporto, Especialização em Atividades de AcademiaIntrodução: o Indoor Cycling é uma modalidade realizada em grupo, numa bicicleta estática, ritmada por música e coordenada por um professor. Sendo esta um alvo de muita procura em ginásios e health-clubs, é também alvo de muita preocupação, pois é uma atividade que pode atingir níveis de intensidades de esforço elevadas. Objetivo: o objetivo do presente estudo foi identificar qual o método de controlo de intensidade de esforço de uma aula de Indoor Cycling (IC), Perceção Subjetiva de Esforço (PSE) ou Frequência Cardíaca (FC), melhor se correlaciona com o Consumo de Oxigénio. Metodologia: Para o efeito, doze indivíduos do sexo masculino, experientes na prática de IC, com idades compreendidas entre os 22 e os 35 anos de idade (média±desvio padrão: 26,83±5,10) efetuaram 3 sessões de estudo, onde realizaram 3 aulas de 45 minutos de IC de forma randomizada. As aulas diferiram entre elas na forma de controlo da intensidade de esforço: i) controlo através do consumo de oxigénio (VO2) (SO); ii) controlo através da FC (SFC); controlo através da PSE (SPSE). Em todas as sessões foi medido o VO2 30 minutos antes, durante e 30 minutos após a realização do IC. Resultados: os valores de VO2 absoluto foi, significativamente (P=0,007; μp2 = 0,254); superior na SO em relação à SFC (2,33±0,27 L/Kg/min versus 2,10±0,29 L/Kg/min, respetivamente). Quanto ao VO2 relativo à massa corporal, os valores da SO foram significativamente superiores às duas outras sessões de estudo (30,09±3,18 ml/Kg/min, 25,49±1,84 ml/Kg/min e 27,12±3,14 ml/Kg/min, SO, SFC e SPSE, respectivamente). Em relação ao VO2 na recuperação foi observado, em todas as sessões, que este se mantinha superior aos valores de repouso, sem diferença significativa entre sessões. Foi observado um a correlação de 0,986 do VO2 na SPSE com a SO e de 0,977 entre a SFC e a SO, com significado estatístico (p<0,0001). Conclusão: Tendo como base os resultados do presente estudo, parece que ambas as formas indiretas de controlo da intensidade de esforço de uma aula de IC subavaliam o VO2. Contudo, são idênticas em relação ao VO2 medido durante o repouso. Em relação ao controlo da intensidade de esforço das aulas de IC sugerimos, em indivíduos com a experiência dos da amostra do presente estudo, o uso da PSE por ser de mais fácil controle e acessibilidade.Introduction: Indoor Cycling is a gym activity performed in a group, in a static bike, rhythmic by music and coordinated by a teacher. This being a target of a lot of demand in gyms and health clubs, it is also the subject of much concern as it is an activity that can achieve high levels of effort intensities. Objective: the objective of this study was to identify the intensity control method effort of a class of Indoor Cycling (IC), Subjective Perception of Effort (SPE) or Heart Rate (HR), better correlates with oxygen consumption. Methodology: To this end, twelve individuals were male, experienced sex in the practice of IC, aged between 22 and 35 years of age (mean ± SD: 26.83 ± 5.10) effected three study sessions where held 3 lessons of 45 minutes IC randomly. The classes differ between them as exercise intensity control of: i) control by oxygen consumption (VO2) (SO); ii) control by HR (SHR); control by SPE (SSPE). In all sessions VO2 was measured 30 minutes before, during and 30 minutes after completion of the IC. Results: the absolute values of VO2 was significantly (P = 0.007; μp2 = 0.254); SO higher in relative to the SFC (2.33 ± 0.27 L / kg / min versus 2.10 ± 0.29 L / kg / min, respectively). As the VO2 on body mass, SO values were significantly superior to the other two study sessions (30.09 ± 3.18 ml / kg / min 25.49 ± 1.84 ml / kg / min and 27 12 ± 3.14 ml / kg / min, SO, SHR and SSPE, respectively). Regarding the VO2 recovery was observed in all sessions, this remained above the resting values, with no significant difference between sessions. It was observed a significant correlation, (p<0,0001), of 0,99 in the VO2 between SSPE and SO and of 0,97 between SHR and SO. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it appears that both indirect forms of exercise intensity control of an IC class underestimate the VO2. However, they are identical in relation to VO2 measured during rest. Regarding the control of the effort intensity of CI classes suggest, in individuals with the experience of the present study sample, the use of PSE to be easier to control and accessibility

Are microcycles with different training session numbers providing sufficient load for male soccer players? Load, wellness and training/match ratios analysis of a professional team

Professional soccer involves varying numbers of training sessions and matches each week, which can influence load distribution. Understanding the exact distribution may allow appropriate load periodisation and planning for players. Thus, this study aimed to (i) compare accumulated load and wellness between weeks with different numbers of training sessions and (ii) compare the training/match ratio (TMr) of external and internal load between weeks with different numbers of training sessions. Ten players with a minimum of 45 minutes of weekly match-play participation were analysed over 16 weeks. The microcycle structures consisted of three (3dW), four (4dW), five (5dW) and six (6dW) training sessions plus match-day per week. The following measures were used for analysis: duration, fatigue, quality of sleep, muscle soreness, stress, mood, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), session-RPE (s-RPE), high-speed running distance (HSR), sprint distance (SPD), number of accelerations (ACC) and number of decelerations (DEC). Accumulated wellness/load were calculated by adding all training and match sessions, while TMr was calculated by dividing the accumulated load by match data. The main results showed that accumulated wellness and load were significantly different, with moderate to very large effect sizes, except regarding mood, duration, s-RPE, SPD during 5dW vs 6dW and s-RPE, HSR, SPD, ACC and DEC during 3dW vs 4dW (all p > 0.05). Moreover, 6dW was significantly higher than 4dW regarding TMr of duration (p < 0.05, moderate effect size), RPE, HSR and SPD (all p < 0.05 with very large effect sizes) and for 3dW of HSR and ACC (p < 0.05 with very large effect sizes). This study showed that 5dW and 6dW had higher training measures than 3dW or 4dW. Additionally, higher wellness was presented in the microcycles with higher training frequencies. These findings suggest that physical load and wellness were not adjusted according to the number of training sessions within a microcycle

Are starters accumulating significantly higher load than non-starters? Load, Wellness, and Training/Match Ratios Quantification of a European Professional Soccer Team

The study aimed to (i) compare accumulated load and wellness between starters and non-starters of a European professional soccer team; (ii) analyse the relationships between wellness and load measures, and; (iii) compare training/match ratio (TMr) of external and internal load between starters and non-starters. Ten players were considered starters, while seven were classified as non-starters over a 16-week period in which six training sessions and match day (MD) were considered in each weekly micro-cycle. The following measures were used: wellness (fatigue, quality of sleep, muscle soreness, stress, and mood); load (rated of perceived exertion (RPE), session-RPE (s-RPE), high-speed running (HSR), sprinting, accelerations (ACC) and decelerations (DEC)). Accumulated wellness/load were calculated by summing all training and match sessions, while TMr was calculated by dividing the accumulated load by match data for all load measures. The main results showed that non-starters presented higher significant values for fatigue (p < 0.019; g = 0.24) and lower significant values for duration (p < 0.006; ES = 1.81) and s-RPE (p < 0.001; ES = 2.69) when compared to starters. Moreover, positive and very large correlations were found between quality of sleep and RPE, stress and deceleration, mood and deceleration (all, p < 0.05). Finally, non-starters presented higher values in all TMr than starters, namely, RPE (p = 0.001; g = 1.96), s-RPE (p = 0.002; g = 1.77), HSR (p = 0.001; g = 2.02), sprinting (p = 0.002; g = 4.23), accelerations (p = 0.001; g = 2.72), decelerations (p < 0.001; g = 3.44), and duration (p = 0.003; g = 2.27). In conclusion, this study showed that non-starters produced higher TMr in all examined variables despite the lower match and training durations when compared with starters, suggesting that physical load was adjusted appropriately. Additionally, RPE and a higher number of decelerations may contribute to decreased wellness, namely, quality of sleep, stress and mood for non-starters

The relationship between wellness and training and match load in professional male soccer players

The aims of this study were to: (i) analyse the within-microcycle variations in professional soccer players; (ii) analyse the relationships between wellness and training and match load demands; (iii) analyse the relationships between match-day (MD) demands and wellness during the following day (MD+1); and (iv) analyse the relationships between MD and wellness during the day before match-play (MD-1). Thirteen professional soccer players (age: 24.85±3.13 years) were monitored daily over 16-weeks for wellness and training and match-play intensity. The daily wellness measures included fatigue, quality of sleep, muscle soreness, mood and stress using a 1–5 scale. Internal intensity was subjectively measured daily using the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and the multiplication of RPE by session duration (s-RPE). While external intensity was quantified utilising high-speed running, sprinting, and acceleration and deceleration metrics. Data was analysed from each training session before (i.e., MD-5) or after the match (i.e., MD+1). Repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman ANOVA was used to analyse the aims (i) where Spearman correlation was applied to analyse the relationships between the aims (ii) and (iii) between sleep quality and training intensity. The main results for aim (i) showed that MD+1 presented the lowest values for wellness variables (p < 0.05). While MD-1 presented the lowest internal and external load values (for all variables), with MD presenting the highest values (p < 0.05). Regarding aim (ii), the main result showed significant large negative correlations between fatigue and s-RPE (r = -0.593; p = 0.033). Considering aim (iii), significant small to very large negative correlations were found for sleep quality, fatigue and muscle soreness with all internal and external variables (p < 0.05). Lastly, the main results for aim (iv) showed large negative correlations for fatigue and session duration; fatigue and s-RPE; muscle soreness and session duration; muscle soreness and s-RPE; and muscle soreness and decelerations (p < 0.05, for all). The main conclusions were that MD had an influence on wellness and internal and external training intensity, notably MD-1 and MD+1 were most affected. In this regard, a tendency of higher internal and external intensity on MD was associated with lower wellness measures of sleep quality, muscle soreness and fatigue on MD+1

Are Heart Rate and Rating of Perceived Exertion Effective to Control Indoor Cycling Intensity?

Indoor cycling’s popularity is related to the combination of music and exercise leading to higher levels of exercise intensity. It was our objective to determine the efficacy of heart rate and rating of perceived exertion in controlling the intensity of indoor cycling classes and to quantify their association with oxygen uptake. Twelve experienced males performed three indoor cycling sessions of 45 min that differed in the way the intensity was controlled: (i) oxygen uptake; (ii) heart rate; and (iii) rating of perceived exertion using the OMNI-Cycling. The oxygen uptake levels were significantly higher (p = 0.007; μp2 = 0.254) in oxygen uptake than heart rate sessions. Oxygen uptake related to body mass was significantly higher (p < 0.005) in the oxygen uptake sessions compared with other sessions. Strong correlations were observed between oxygen uptake mean in the oxygen uptake and rating of perceived exertion sessions (r =0.986, p < 0.0001) and between oxygen uptake mean in the oxygen uptake and heart rate sessions (r = 0.977, p < 0.0001). Both heart rate and rating of perceived exertion are effective in controlling the intensity of indoor cycling classes in experienced subjects. However, the use of rating of perceived exertion is easier to use and does not require special instrumentation