Assessment of the external load of amateur soccer players during four consecutive training microcycles in relation to the external load during the official match

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the external load of amateur male players during 4 consecutive training microcycles (M) at the beginning of the in-season according to the training session in absolute external load demands and in relation to the competition demands. Methods: Regional-level players (n = 10; age, 20.8 ± 1.7 years; height, 175.5 ± 3.8 cm; body mass, 69.7 ± 2.9 kg; soccer experience, 13.2 ± 2.5 years) were monitored using GPS devices during training sessions and matches. The external load variables measured were: duration (min); total distance covered (TD); distance covered at high-speed (HID, 14.4-19.8 km/h); distance covered at sprinting (SPD; >19.8 km/h); and distance covered in high intensity acceleration (ACD; >2.5 m/s2) and deceleration (DECD; <-2.5 m/s2). Results: The results indicated that the external load variables (time, HID, SPD, ACD, and DECD) were similar between the four microcycles. Greater (p<0.01) time, TD, HID and SPD were observed in match day (MD)-2 compared to MD+1, MD-3, and MD-1. Aside from training duration, all external loads variables (TD, HID, SPD, ACD, and DECD) were lower during training sessions compared to official matches (p<0.05). Conclusion: Amateur soccer players present relative stable external training loads across competitive microcycles, with the peak load observed two days before the official match. Besides this, the match constitutes the highest load during a typical competitive microcycle in this cohort of players.(AU)

Monitoring training load in beach volleyball players: a case study with an Olympic team

AIM: Describe and compare training load dynamics of two Olympic beach volleyball players. METHODS Two Olympic beach volleyball players participated in this study (specialist defender and blocker: both aged 34 years, holding 14 years of competitive experience, height: 1.74 m and 1.81 m, weight: 69 kg and 65 kg, respectively). Internal training load (ITL), total weekly training load (TWTL), monotony and strain were obtained through the session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) for three training mesocycles (10 weeks). Lower limb explosive power was assessed through the counter movement jump (CMJ). RESULTS: Mean ITL, TWTL, monotony and strain during the 10-week period were: 370 ± 156; 1997 ± 838; 2.7 ± 1.3; 5621 ± 1802 arbitrary units (Defender) and 414 ± 153; 2392 ± 892; 2.7 ± 1.1; 6894 ± 3747 (Blocker). Mean of CMJ height was 47.0 ± 1.3 and 40.3 ± 1.6 cm, for the defender and blocker, respectively. The defender player presented higher ITL in the second (effect size (ES) = 0.90; 92/5/3, likely) and in the third (ES = 0.91; 94/4/2, likely) mesocycles when compared to the first. Monotony raised from the first to the third mesocycle (ES = 2.91; 98/1/1, very likely). Blocker's ITL was higher in the third mesocycle than the first (ES = 1.42. 98/1/1, very likely) and the second (ES = 1.49; 98/1/1, likely) ones. CONCLUSION: ITL magnitude increased from the first to the third mesocycle, in both players.(AU)

Monitoramento do treinamento no judô: comparação entre a intensidade da carga planejada pelo técnico e a intensidade percebida pelo atleta / Training load monitoring in judo: comparison between the training load intensity planned by the coach and the intensity experienced by the athlete

O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar a percepção referente à intensidade da carga de treinamento planejada pelos técnicos com a percepção de intensidade reportada pelos atletas de Judô. A amostra foi composta por quatro técnicos e 40 atletas da Seleção Brasileira de Judô. A comparação entre a intensidade planejada e a intensidade experienciada foi realizada através da aplicação do método da percepção subjetiva do esforço (PSE) da sessão durante um training camp. Também foram realizadas coletas de sangue para determinação da concentração de lactato sanguíneo. A intensidade da carga de treinamento reportada pelos atletas superou a intensidade planejada pelos técnicos em todas sessões de treinamento. Com relação à concentração de lactato, houve aumento no período pós-treino em todas as sessões do training camp, não havendo diferença entre as sessões. Os resultados do presente estudo demonstram que, embora o programa de treinamento tenha sido elaborado por técnicos experientes, foi detectada diferença entre a intensidade da carga externa planejada pelo técnico e a intensidade da carga interna percebida pelos atletas. Estes dados reforçam a importância do constante monitoramento do treinamento, a fim de maximizar o desempenho de atletas de elite.

The aim of this study was to compare the perception concerning of the training load intensity of Judo coaches and athletes. The sample consisted of 4 coaches and 40 athletes of the Brazilian National Judo Team. The comparison between the intensity planned by the coach and the intensity experienced by the athletes was determined by the Session RPE method during a "Training camp". In order to assess lactate responses to training, blood samples were collected pre- and post training session. The intensity experienced by athletes was higher than the intensity planned by coaches in all training sessions. Regarding lactate concentration, it was observed an increase at post-training as compared to pre-training in all sessions, with no differences between sessions. The results of this study demonstrate that although the training session has been developed by experienced coaches, significant differences were detected between the intensity of external training load planned by the coach and the intensity of the internal training load experienced by the athletes. These data reinforce the relevance of training monitoring in order to maximize performance of elite athletes.

Determinação do máximo déficit acumulado de oxigênio: efeito da duração dos testes submáximos para predição da demanda de oxigênio / Determination of the maximum accumulated oxygen deficit: effects of the submaximal tests duration for prediction of oxygen demand

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a influência de diferentes tempos de análise dos testes submáximos para determinação do máximo déficit acumulado de oxigênio (MAOD), adotando diferentes janelas de tempo 4-6min, 6-8min e 8-10min. Participaram do estudo 10 ciclistas com idade média de 27,5 ± 4,1 anos, massa corporal 74,4 ± 12,7kg e tempo médio de prática de 9,8 ± 4,7 anos. Os atletas realizaram um teste de esforço progressivo para determinação do consumo de oxigênio de pico (VO2pico) e quatro testes retangulares submáximos (60, 70, 80 e 90 por cento VO2pico) com 10min de duração para estimar os valores da demanda de O2 (DEO2). Os valores médios de VO2 obtidos nas cargas para o tempo 4-6min, 6-8min e 8 a 10min foram aplicados em uma regressão linear entre a intensidade e o consumo de O2 para cada janela de tempo. Os sujeitos realizaram ainda um teste retangular supramáximo (110 por cento VO2pico) para a quantificação do MAOD. Não foi constatada nenhuma diferença significativa no VO2 entre os diferentes períodos de tempo dos testes submáximos (P > 0,05). Da mesma forma, nenhuma diferença significativa foi constatada no DEAO2 e MAOD nos diferentes períodos de análise (P > 0,05). Verificou-se ainda que os valores de MAOD obtidos nos três intervalos de tempo apresentaram boa concordância e forte correlação. Dessa forma, os dados sugerem que os testes submáximos utilizados para gerar os valores do MAOD podem ser reduzidos ao menos nesse tipo de amostra e com a utilização de ciclossimulador.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different assessment time periods of submaximal tests on the determination of the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD), through the adoption of different time slots of 4 to 6, 6 to 8 and 8 to 10 min. Ten cyclists with mean age of 27.5 ± 4.1 years, body mass 74.4 ± 12.7 kg and time experience of 9.8 ± 4.7 years participated in this study. The athletes underwent an incremental exercise test to determine the peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), and four submaximal constant work-load test sessions (60, 70, 80 and 90 percent VO2peak) of 10 min in order to estimate the O2 demand (DEO2). The mean VO2 values obtained on each constant work-load for the 4 to 6, 6 to 8 and 8 to 10 min time-periods intervals were used to perform a linear regression between the intensity and O2 consumption for each time-period. In addition, the subjects performed one supramaximal rectangular test (110 percent VO2peak) for the quantification of MAOD. There was no significant difference in VO2 between the different time-periods for all submaximal tests (P> 0.05). Similarly, no significant difference was found in DEAO2 and MAOD (P> 0.05). Furthermore, the values of MAOD for the three time-periods intervals showed good agreement and strong correlation. Thus, the data suggest that the submaximal tests used to estimate the values of MAOD can be reduced, at least in this type of sample, and with the use of a cycle simulator.