Coach and Athlete Perceptions of Recovery and Training Load Differ in Division II Women’s Volleyball

Abstract

Perceptual measures such as session RPE (SRPE) validly assess training load (TL). However, coaches often base daily training on their own perceptions of the athlete’s exertion. PURPOSE: This study examined the link between coach and player perceptions of recovery and acute exertion during training for athletic competition. METHODS: TL scores were calculated for 13 Division II women volleyball players. A total of six practice sessions (yielding 74 observations) were monitored. TL scores were calculated via the Edwards HR technique and by multiplying athlete SRPE x practice duration (SRPE TL athlete). An additional TL score was calculated by having the head coach estimate a SRPE (SRPE TL coach observed) for the athlete based on observation of practice. Recovery status was assessed by both the coach (RS-coach perceived) and athlete (RS-athlete perceived) according to the Perceived Recovery Status Scale. Differences were considered significant at p ≤ 0.05 level. RESULTS: The Pearson correlation between Edwards TL and SRPE TL athlete and SRPE TL coach observed was r = .601; p < 0.05 and r = .565; p < 0.05 respectively. Paired t-tests indicated SRPE estimated by the coach (5.5 ± 1.0) and athlete (4.6 ± 1.4) was significantly different. The coach perceived significantly higher recovery status (6.9 ± 0.9) than athletes (6.0 ± 1.2). CONCLUSION: The coach perceived practices as significantly harder than athletes. Although, correlations of SRPE based TL from both the coach and athlete were moderate to strong, differences in coach and athlete SRPE estimations indicate that coaches may be better served in soliciting athlete feedback rather than relying on their own perceptions of athlete effort. Higher coach estimated SRPE may be linked to the higher perceived recovery status estimated by the coach. That is, the coach’s perceptions of effort may have been influenced by a misconception of recovery status.