The subjective assessment of training load in the training process of young skiers

Abstract

The aim was to investigate how the 10-point intensity scale can be used in characterizing training intensities in young skiers and whether perceptions of training intensity of coach and athlete are related. 13 young crosscountry skiers, aged 14–17 participated. During the 17-day training camp their training data and the subjective intensity perceptions of the coaches and athletes were recorded. Based on the time-in-zone method the subjects trained 71.8% in zone1, 27.1% in zone2 and 2.1% in zone3. According to subjective assessment, 74.1% of trainings were done in zone1, 19.0 in zone2 and 8.0% in zone3. There were no significant differences between intensity distributions between zone1, but according to subjective scale, subjects trained significantly less in zone2 and significantly more in zone3. Subjective assessments of coach and athletes indicated the highest correlations (p<0.05) between zone2 (r=0.80) and interval trainings (r=0.71) and were lower for basic (r=0.25) and recovery trainings (r=0.35). In conclusion, 10-pt scale to describe training intensities is a practical method for young athlete training zone distribution assessment.