Relationships between training load variables in professional youth football players

Maughan, P., Swinton, P. and MacFarlane, N. (2021) Relationships between training load variables in professional youth football players. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 42(7), pp. 624-629. (doi: 10.1055/a-1300-2959) (PMID:33260250)

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Abstract

This study aims to investigate the relationship between subjective and external measures of load in professional youth football players whilst accounting for the effect of training theme or competition. Data from ratings of perceived exertion and global positioning system-derived measures of external training load were collected from 20 professional youth players (age=17.4±1.3 yrs) across a 46-week season. General characteristics of training sessions were categorised based on their proximity to match day. The underlying structure of the data was investigated with principal component analysis. An extraction criterion comprising eigenvalues >1 was used to identify which components to retain. Three components were retained for training performed three days prior to match day (80.2% of variance), with two components (72.9–89.7% of variance) retained for all other modes. Generally, the first component was represented by measures of volume (Total Distance, PlayerLoad and low intensity running) whilst the second and third components were characterised by measures of intensity. Identification of multiple components indicates that load monitoring should comprise multiple variables. Additionally, differences in the underlying structure across training days that reflected different goals suggest that effective monitoring should be specific to the demands of different session types.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:MacFarlane, Professor Niall and Maughan, Patrick
Authors: Maughan, P., Swinton, P., and MacFarlane, N.
Subjects:Q Science > QP Physiology
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
Journal Name:International Journal of Sports Medicine
Publisher:Thieme Gruppe
ISSN:0172-4622
ISSN (Online):1439-3964
Published Online:01 December 2020
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2020 Thieme Gruppe
First Published:First published in International Journal of Sports Medicine 42(7): 624-629
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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