Abstract
The aim of this cohort study was two-fold: (i) to analyze within-group changes of final velocity in a 30-15 intermittent fitness test (VIFT), final velocity in a Vameval test (Vvameval), 20-m sprint and countermovement jump (CMJ); (ii) to explore the relationships between VIFT and Vvameval outcomes and their changes with internal and external loads. Twenty-two professional soccer players (mean ± SD; age 27.2 ± 3.4 years, height 174.2 ± 3.6 cm, body mass 69.1 ± 6.4 kg, and body fat 10.4 ± 4.1%, 3.1 ± 1.5 years in the club) participated in this study. External and internal loads were obtained using global positioning system, heart rate and rate of perceived effort (sRPE) after each training session. Players were assessed in CMJ, 20-m sprint, Vameval and 30-15 intermittent fitness test, before and after the observed period. Very large relationships were observed between VIFT and Vameval for pre- (r = 0.76), post (r = 0.80) and pooled-data (r = 0.81). Vvameval showed less sensitivity (−22.4%, [−45.0 to 9.4]), ES −0.45 [−1.05 to 0.16]) than VIFT. ∆VIFT had unclear associations with all sRPE, but had moderate correlations with objective internal and external measures, while, ∆Vvameval varied between large and very large relationships with all sRPE, but had unclear associations with all other selected training loads. Objective internal and external loads may be used to track aerobic power related changes from VIFT.
Highlights
It has been suggested that chronic exposures to training loads are associated with more resilient athletes that are capable of sustaining greater acute training loads, without higher injury risks [2,3]
All players involved in the study were professional and were familiar with the global position systems (GPS) system and session-rate of perceived exertion (sRPE) methods
This study suggests that despite field tests may show relationships between them, it does not mean that they present similar dose-response relationships with internal and external training loads
Summary
Dose-response relationships are referred to the magnitude of a biological response, depending on the exposure to a given training stimulus after a certain time-period [1]. It has been suggested that chronic exposures to training loads are associated with more resilient athletes that are capable of sustaining greater acute training loads, without higher injury risks [2,3]. The principles of training such as individualization, progression and overload, must be carefully followed for ensuring that athlete’s dose-responses are adequate and have the desired effects on them [4]. Considering that in professional soccer teams, coaches typically follow a onesize-fits-all soccer practice, the above-mentioned training principles may not be adequately imposed [5]
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