Changes In Performance And Subjective Wellness Measures Among Female Collegiate Field Hockey Players

Abstract

Monitoring athletes using both objective and subjective assessments is a common strategy when managing athlete workloads in attempt to optimize performance. PURPOSE: To assess changes in performance alongside subjective measures throughout a collegiate field hockey season. METHODS: Female athletes (n = 20; BMI = 23.9 ± 3.3 kg/m2) completed countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) testing via digital contact mat, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to assess sleep quality, and the Multicomponent Training Distress Scale (MTDS) to evaluate training distress every 7 ± 1 d throughout the preseason (T1-T2) and season (T3-T13). MTDS was analyzed as a total composite score and by each subscale: depressed moods (DM), vigor, physical signs/symptoms (PSS), sleep disturbances (SDis), perceived stress (PSt), and general fatigue (GF). Linear mixed effects models were conducted with an α-level of 0.05 using R. RESULTS: There were significant time main effects for CMJ, global PSQI, and total MTDS (P < 0.01). Time main effects were seen for all MTDS sub-scales except for GF and SDis. CMJ increased from baseline at T7 (P < 0.01) but returned to baseline by T13 (P > 0.05). PSQI scores decreased from T1 to T2 (P = 0.04) but returned to baseline by T8 and was elevated for the remainder of the season (P < 0.05). MTDS was significantly higher than baseline at T11 (P < 0.01) but returned to baseline by T12 (P > 0.05). DM increased above baseline at T11 (P = 0.02) then and returned to baseline at T12. Vigor was lower than baseline at T8 (P < 0.01) and remained suppressed through T12 (P = 0.01) but returned to baseline by T13 (P > 0.05). PSS increased from T1 to T2 following preseason (P < 0.01), remained above baseline through T9 (P < 0.05), and returned to baseline at T10 (P > 0.05). There were no changes in PSt from baseline at any time point (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Following preseason, PSS increased immediately which coincided with improved PSQI scores and CMJ over the first half of the season. However, as the season progressed, total training distress increased, which was largely driven by negative changes in subscales including DM and vigor. This culminated in subsequent downturns in CMJ by T13. These findings suggest that multiple metrics should be used by coaches to monitor athlete readiness as the MTDS changes appear to precede differential changes in performance.