Abstract
Background and Objectives: During intense training periods, there is a high need to monitor the external and especially the internal training load in order to fine-tune the training process and to avoid overreaching or overtraining. However, data on stress reactions, especially of biomarkers, to high training loads in children and youth are rare. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the training load of youth athletes during a training camp using a multilevel approach. Materials and Methods: Six trained youth male cyclists performed a 7-day preseason training camp. To investigate the internal training load, every morning, minimally invasive “point-of-care testing” (POCT) devices were used to analyze the following biomarkers: creatine kinase (CK), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin (Alb), bilirubin (Bil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total protein (TP). Additionally, data of training load measures (HR: heart rate, RPE: rating of perceived exertion, sRPE: session-RPE, TRIMP: training impulse, intensity (RPE:HR), and load (sRPE:TRIMP) ratios), self-perception (person’s perceived physical state, questionnaires on muscle soreness, and sleep quality), and measures of the autonomic nervous system (resting heart rate, heart rate variability) were collected. Two days before and after the training camp, subjects performed performance tests (Graded Exercise Test, Wingate Anaerobic Test, Counter Movement Jump). Results: Primarily, the biomarkers CK, BUN, and Alb, as well as the self-perception showed moderate to large load-dependent reactions during the 7-day training camp. The biomarkers returned to baseline values two days after the last training session. Power output at lactate threshold showed a small increase, and no changes were found for other performance parameters. Conclusions: The study suggests that a multilevel approach is suitable to quantify the internal training load and that different parameters can be used to control the training process. The biomarkers CK, BUN, and Alb are suitable for objectively quantifying the internal training load. The self-perception provides additional subjective information about the internal training load.
Highlights
The increase in the professionalization of competitive youth sports is associated with an increase in the training load, in terms of exercise intensity and volume
The present study aimed to investigate the external and internal training load using a multilevel approach including training load measures, biomarkers, self-perception, measures of the autonomic nervous system, and performance tests in young cyclists during a 7-day training camp
Our results are in line with those from the study conducted by König et al, who measured an increase of creatine kinase (CK) (85.3 ± 29.5 to 108 ± 36.4 IU·L−1) after the fourth stage of a 5-day cycling race [31]
Summary
The increase in the professionalization of competitive youth sports is associated with an increase in the training load, in terms of exercise intensity and volume. Due to the different time courses of physiological, biochemical, performance, and psychological reactions in response to periods of high training load, monitoring of the external and internal training load should be performed in a multilevel approach [4]. Data on stress reactions, especially of biomarkers, to high training loads in children and youth are rare. In this study, we aimed to investigate the training load of youth athletes during a training camp using a multilevel approach. Results: Primarily, the biomarkers CK, BUN, and Alb, as well as the self-perception showed moderate to large load-dependent reactions during the 7-day training camp. Conclusions: The study suggests that a multilevel approach is suitable to quantify the internal training load and that different parameters can be used to control the training process. The self-perception provides additional subjective information about the internal training load
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