Monitoring Training Load Research Articles

Effect of acute fatigue on force generation accuracy and repeatability in youth athletes

The study aimed to evaluate the acute effect of the incremental running test on the accuracy and repeatability of submaximal force generation in adolescent athletes (biathletes and runners) with different training regimes. The isometric force generation was assessed in biathletes and runners by examining left and right elbow extension (LEE; REE); flexion (LEF; REF); left and right knee extensions (LKE; RKE) before and after the test. The mean force of 10 sub-maximal targeted force pulses (Fmean) and force variability parameters: standard deviation and coefficient variation were used for accuracy and repeatability estimation. Biathletes generated forces more accurate and exhibit better repeatability of produced forces than runners. Mean force measured in fatigue conditions, for both groups, did not vary significantly from rest measurements. Before testing biathletes exhibited significantly lower REE and LEE, and after testing lower REF and LEF variability than runners. After testing there was a significant drop of variability in elbows flexion but not extension and RKE in biathletes. Insignificant downward trend of variability parameters were found in runners. The presented findings corroborate sport-specific force generation ability alteration in response to exhaustive effort. Tracking force generation over time may be useful in the monitoring of training loads and specific training adaptations.

A Novel Approach for Monitoring Training Load and Wellness in Women's College Gymnastics.

Monitoring training load has the potential to improve sport performance and reduce injuries in athletes. This study examined training load and its association with wellness in artistic gymnastics. Training load and changes in training load (acute:chronic workload ratio [ACWR]) vary throughout 1 season; wellness is inversely correlated with training load and ACWR. Prospective case series. Level 3. A total of 30 female collegiate gymnasts from 4 Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association teams participated (mean age, 20 ± 2 years). During 4 months, before daily training, wellness surveys assessed sleep, energy, soreness, and mood (1-10; higher = better). After daily training, training load surveys assessed training duration per event (warm-up, vault, bars, beam, floor, strength and conditioning) and session rating of perceived exertion (RPE; 1-10; 10 = hardest) per event. Coaches reported technical complexity of training per event (1-4; 4 = hardest). Training load was calculated as [duration] × [RPE] × [technical complexity]. ACWR represented a ratio between acute [1-week] and chronic [4-week rolling average] training loads. ACWR and weekly training load fluctuated throughout the season (ACWR mean weekly range: 0.68-1.11; training load mean weekly range: 2073-6193 arbitrary units). ACWR and weekly training loads were trichotomized into low, medium, and high groups; positive correlations were observed between each wellness variable and ACWR (P < 0.01) and between each wellness variable and weekly training load (P < 0.01). Our novel training load monitoring framework for women's college gymnastics enabled us to characterize training load and its relationship with wellness throughout 1 season. This method should be explored in gymnasts across various ages and competitive levels. This study proposes a framework and the initial findings of monitoring training load and wellness in collegiate women's gymnastics.

Training Load and Injuries in Volleyball: An Approach Based on Different Methods of Calculating Acute to Chronic Workload Ratio.

Many questions persist regarding the relationship between training load and injuries in volleyball, as well as the best method for calculating acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between different metrics of training load and risk of injury in male professional volleyball players. ACWR, as a training load measure, is useful for identifying injury risk in volleyball players, regardless of calculation method. Longitudinal, prospective, and observational design conducted over 3 seasons of professional male volleyball. Level 3. The study included 43 male volleyball players. Internal training load was quantified using the Session Rating of Perceived Exertion. From daily training load values, absolute measures and relative measures were computed. For relative measures, 7 days were employed for acute training load, and 21 and 28 days for chronic training load. A distinction was made between coupled calculation and uncoupled calculation. Injuries were documented using the Injury Surveillance Form proposed by the International Volleyball Federation. ACWR calculated in a coupled manner and by a rolling average demonstrated higher injury risks when analyzing the complete periods (odds ratio [OR] ACWR 7:28 = 2.040; ACWR 7:21 = 1.980) and competitive period (OR ACWR 7:28 = 2.044; ACWR 7:21 = 2.087). In contrast, during the preseason, the coupled exponential averages were more sensitive to the risk of injury (OR ACWR 7:28 = 4.370; ACWR 7.504). Both measures using rolling averages and those calculated from exponential averages can be employed to identify the risk of injuries in volleyball athletes. The findings of this study can be useful to coaching staff, fitness trainers, and healthcare professionals involved in the challenge of reducing the risk of injury in volleyball athletes. The need for continuous monitoring and real-time adjustments of training load is emphasized.

The Relationship Between Training Load and Injury in Competitive Swimming: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study

Training load monitoring is employed to quantify training demands, to determine individual physiological adaptions and to examine the dose–response relationship, ultimately reducing the likelihood of injury and making a meaningful impact on performance. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between training load and injury in competitive swimmers, using the session rate of perceived exertion (sRPE) method. Data were collected using a prospective, longitudinal study design across 104 weeks. Data were collected from 34 athletes centralised in two of Swim Ireland’s National Centres. Bayesian mixed effects logistic regression models were used to analyse the relationship between sRPE-TL and medical attention injuries. The average weekly swim volume was 33.5 ± 12.9 km. The weekly total training load (AU) averaged 3838 ± 1616.1. A total of 58 medical attention injury events were recorded. The probability of an association between training load and injury ranged from 70% to 98%; however, evidence for these relationships was deemed weak or highly uncertain. The findings suggest that using a single training load metric in isolation cannot decisively inform when an injury will occur. Instead, coaches should utilise monitoring tools to ensure that the athletes are exposed to an appropriate training load to optimise physiological adaptation. Future research should strive to investigate the relationship between additional risk factors (e.g., wellbeing, lifestyle factors or previous injury history), in combination with training load and injury, in competitive swimmers.

COMPREHENSIVE INJURY PREVENTION STRATEGIES FOR FOOTBALL PLAYERS

Injury prevention in football is a critical issue for athletes, coaches, and health professionals, given the sport's dynamic movements that elevate the risk of muscle and joint injuries. Effective strategies should incorporate specialized physical training and physiotherapeutic interventions to optimize player protection and performance. Preventive training programs, emphasizing muscle strengthening and proprioception, are essential for reducing injury risks. Specific exercises targeting the hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, and core enhance joint stability and mitigate overload injuries. Neuromuscular training, which includes balance exercises and plyometrics, improves proprioception and helps prevent falls and twists. Flexibility through regular stretching and dynamic warm-ups, such as the FIFA 11+, is crucial for preparing players physically and lowering injury incidence. Additionally, physiotherapists play a vital role in injury prevention through functional assessments to identify muscle imbalances and develop corrective exercise programs. Manual therapy techniques, joint stabilization exercises, and preventive rehabilitation further contribute to maintaining soft tissue quality and preventing muscle strains. Monitoring training load is another fundamental aspect of injury prevention, as abrupt changes in training intensity can lead to injuries. Using tracking technologies allows for better control of players' physical efforts. Studies indicate that implementing structured injury prevention programs significantly reduces injury rates and enhances athletic performance. Research highlights the importance of a multicomponent approach, individualized training, and load management to lower hamstring injuries. Collaboration among athletes, coaches, and health professionals is crucial to create a safe training environment. As football evolves, prioritizing injury prevention is essential for players' health, success, and career longevity.

Cross Sectional Study About Intra-Individual and Inter-Individual Variability of Subjective Effort in Submaximal Sprint Running in Collegiate Male Sprinters

Background: Although subjective exercise intensity is widely used to monitor training load in athletes, the reliability of subjective effort (SE) during high-intensity sprint running has not yet been established. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the intra-individual and inter-individual variability in sprint running performance at different SE levels. Methods: Eighteen male collegiate sprinters participated in the study. We measured 60 m sprint running performance at four SE levels (60% SE, 80% SE, 90% SE, and 100% SE) every day for 5 days. The coefficient of variation (CV) of each participant’s 5-day performance (60 m sprint time (60T) and 40 - 50 m interval average speed (SP)) was calculated to assess the intra-individual variability of SE. A repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare 60 T, SP, and the CVs of 60 T and SP across the different SE levels. Results: The SP ratios of each submaximal sprint (60% SE, 80% SE, 90% SE) to the maximal sprint (100% SE) were 89.72 ± 1.62%, 95.50 ± 1.08%, and 98.11 ± 0.56%, respectively. The inter-individual variation at each SE level for 60T was inversely related to the SE level (60% SE: 3.25%, 80% SE: 2.31%, 90% SE: 2.06%, and 100% SE: 1.54%). Significant differences were found in the intra-individual variability (CV) of 60 T between 60% SE (2.22 ± 0.35%) and 90% SE (1.42 ± 0.22%), 60% SE and 100% SE (1.40 ± 0.30%), 80% SE (1.95 ± 0.32%) and 90% SE, and between 80% SE and 100% SE (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Intra- and inter-individual variation at all SE levels were below 5%, indicating that SE is a reliable indicator of sprint running intensity. However, the lower the SE, the greater the variability, suggesting SE is most suitable for higher-intensity sprint running.

Monitoring training load and perceived recovery indicators during the preseason and in-season phases in professional female basketball players.

During the basketball season, it is essential to carefully plan training and recovery activities to optimize players' performance. This study monitored training load and perceived recovery indicators in professional female basketball players across the preseason and in-season phases. Seventeen professional female basketball players (age: 19.6±3.1 years; height: 180.2±5.9 cm; playing position: 8 backcourt, 9 frontcourt) were monitored for eleven consecutive weeks. Each morning, players reported their perceived recovery using a 10-point Total Quality of Recovery (TQR) Scale. After each training session or game, players reported their perceived exertion using the CR-10 Scale, which was multiplied by the duration of the training or game to obtain the session load. Weekly load, monotony, strain, TQR<inf>AM</inf> (morning recovery) and TQR<inf>fw</inf> (recovery at the start of the following week) were calculated. Linear mixed models were performed to assess the effects of season phase (preseason; in-season), playing position (backcourt; frontcourt) and group (senior; under) on load and recovery variables. Weekly load, monotony and strain were higher in the preseason than the in-season phase (all P<0.001, ES: moderate-large). Strain was higher in senior players compared to under (P=0.045, ES: small). Regarding recovery variables, no effects were found for TQR<inf>AM</inf>, while TQR<inf>fw</inf> was higher in the preseason than in-season (P<0.001, ES: moderate) phase. Professional female basketball players experience lower internal loads but poorer perceived recovery during the in-season phase. Practitioners should carefully consider the stress of competition and the cumulative fatigue from high preseason loads during the transition from the preseason to the regular season.

Developments in research on monitoring training loads in athletes: bibliometric analysis

Developments in research on monitoring training loads in athletes: bibliometric analysis

Wellness status and training load among Malaysian rugby players during Asia rugby men's champi-onship 2023: a comparative analysis

The Asia Rugby Men's Championship (ARMC) is a well-known platform for rugby teams in the area to exhibit their abilities and compete on an international level. The tournament's physical and psychological strains on competitors may have consequences for their overall health. The purpose of this study is to look at the training load and the acute-to-chronic workload ratio (ACWR) and to evaluate the wellness on the Malaysia Rugby squad during the Asia Rugby Men's Championship 2023. The study enlisted the participation of 30 Malaysia Rugby squad members. Throughout the competition, training load data such as session time, session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), and numerous wellness indicators such as fatigue, sleep quality, mood, muscular soreness, and stress level were thoroughly evaluated. The ACWR was determined by dividing the chronic workload rolling average by the acute workload rolling average. The data demonstrated differences in training load patterns and ACWR values and self-report questionnaires were used to collect data for wellness status throughout the competition. The study emphasizes the significance of monitoring training load to optimize player performance and reduce the risk of injury during strenuous rugby tournaments. The study reveals wellness difficulties faced by Malaysia Rugby players at ARMC 2023, guiding personalized interventions to enhance well-being and performance during international rugby games. It also enhances understanding of training load management approaches and may guide future training methods for similar events. Keywords. training load monitoring, acute-to-chronic workload ratio (ACWR), Malaysia Rugby, athlete performance, injury risk, wellness status, player well-being.

The Impact of a Congested Competition Schedule on Load, Recovery, and Well-Being in Under-16 Female Soccer Players: A Comparison between Starters and Non-Starters during a Development Tournament

Monitoring training load, recovery, and wellness in maturation ages is even more relevant than in adulthood, especially during congested schedules. The objective of this study was to quantify and describe the differences in external and internal load, recovery, and perceived wellness in elite under-16 female players during a period of three competitions in seven days based on their participation during matches. An observational design was used to quantify the external load (total distance, high-speed distance, and PlayerLoad) and internal load (differential sRPE), as well as the recovery and wellness of 18 international under-16 players during a development tournament. The external load pattern of the starting players was undulating, with matches showing the highest internal load values compared to training sessions and non-starters. Non-starter players (whether training or matches) showed similar external load and differential sRPE values throughout the tournament (p &gt; 0.05). Starting players experienced higher internal load than non-starters during matches (p &lt; 0.037), without differences between training sessions (p &gt; 0.05). No changes were seen in wellness or recovery (all p-values &gt; 0.05), except for non-starters in Session 3 compared to Session 7 (p = 0.024). Starting players had more weekly total minutes (p = 0.018), differential sRPE (breath: p = 0.002; leg: p = 0.002; cognitive: p = 0.003), total distance (p = 0.003), and PlayerLoad (p = 0.008) than non-starters. Our results indicate differing load patterns between starters and non-starters, which do not affect wellness and recovery differently. Starters accumulate more weekly total load. Coaches can use these findings to guide decisions and load compensations in high competition contexts for young female soccer players.

Bridging the Gap Between Training and Competition in Elite Rink Hockey: A Pilot Study.

Monitoring training load and competition load is crucial for evaluating and improving athlete performance. This study proposes an applied approach to characterize and classify the training task specificity in relation to competition in a top-level rink hockey team, considering external and internal load from training tasks and competition. Training tasks and game demands have significant dose-response differences, and exercises can be classified successfully based on their physiological and biomechanical demands. Cross-sectional study. Level 5. Ten elite-level male rink hockey players participated in this study. Players were monitored on 6 different task categories during 8 training sessions and 2 official games. A linear mixed model with random intercepts was used to compare training tasks and competition load, accounting for individual repeated measures. A 2-step cluster analysis was performed to classify the training tasks and games based on physiological and biomechanical load, employing log-likelihood as the distance measure and Schwartz's Bayesian criterion. Average heartrate , maximum heartrate, and high-speed skating (18.1-30 km/h) were the best physiological load predictors, while the most effective biomechanical load predictors were impacts [8-10] g(n), decelerations [-10 to -3]m/s²(n), and accelerations [3-10]m/s²(n). Different physiological and biomechanical responses were verified between training tasks and match demands. A 4-quadrant efforts assessment for each task category revealed that training tasks used by the team in the analysis presented lower biomechanical and physiological load demands than competition. Training tasks failed to adequately replicate the specific demands of competition, especially regarding high mechanical stress, such as the absence of high-intensity impacts and decelerations. This method of classification of training tasks may allow coaches to understand further the specificity and contribution of each task to competition demands, consequently improving the capacity of load management and the preparedness and readiness of players for competition.

Quantifying internal and external training loads in collegiate male volleyball players during a competitive season

BackgroundThe long-term monitoring of internal and external training load is crucial for the training effectiveness of athletes. This study aims to quantify the internal and external training loads of collegiate male volleyball players during the competitive season. The internal and external training load variables were analyzed across mesocycles and playing positions.MethodsFourteen participants with age of 20.2 ± 1.3 years, height of 1.81 ± 0.05 m, and body weight of 70.8 ± 5.9 kg were recruited. The data were collected over a 29-week period that was divided into four mesocycles: preparation 1 (P1, weeks 1–7), competition 1 (C1, weeks 8–14, including a 5-day tournament in week 14), preparation 2 (P2, weeks 15–23), and competition 2 (C2, weeks 24–29, including a 6-day tournament in week 29). Each participant wore an inertial measurement unit and reported the rating of perceived exertion in each training session. The internal training load variables included weekly session rating of perceived exertion, acute: chronic workload ratio, and training monotony and strain. The external training load variables included jump count and height and the percentage of jumps exceeding 80% of maximal height.ResultsC2 had the highest average weekly internal training load (3022 ± 849 AU), whereas P2 had the highest average weekly acute: chronic workload ratio (1.46 ± 0.13 AU). The number of weekly jumps in C1 (466.0 ± 176.8) was significantly higher than in other mesocycles. Weekly jump height was significantly higher in C1, P2, and C2. Internal training load was positively correlated with jump count (ρ = 0.477, p < 0.001). Jump count was negatively correlated with jump height (ρ = −0.089, p = 0.006) and the percentage of jumps exceeding 80% of maximal height (ρ = −0.388, p < 0.001). The internal and external training load variables were similar among different playing positions.ConclusionThe participants exhibited significantly higher internal training load in C2 and higher jump height after P1. A high jump count was associated with higher internal training load and lower jump height. Excessive jumps may result in fatigue and reduce height.

Training Load Monitoring in Elite Youth Women's Artistic Gymnasts: A Pilot Study.

Women's artistic gymnastics (WAG) is a complex aesthetic sport in which athletes start at a young age and are exposed to high loads during their careers. Little is known about the external and internal training load characteristics among elite young gymnasts. High training loads, with variations over the weeks, are expected. There is a relationship between external and internal load variables. Cohort study. Level 3. Seven elite-level Brazilian youth artistic gymnasts (age, 11.3 ± 0.4 years; mass, 33.0 ± 7.0 kg; height, 137.7 ± 10.6 cm; experience, 4.0 ± 1.2 years) participated in this study. Five nonconsecutive microcycles were monitored. Both external and internal training loads were quantified by counting the number of elements in video recordings of training sessions and by the session rating of perceived exertion method. A total of 168 individual training sessions were monitored. The microcycle that succeeded the main competition showed a significantly lower training load than ≥3 of the other 4 microcycles for all training load variables, except for vault elements, of which microcycle 4 was inferior only to the microcycle before the competition. Significant correlations were found between weekly internal training load and the total of elements and elements performed on uneven bars. Youth women's artistic gymnasts present fluctuations in external and internal training load variables over the weeks close to a major competition. Training load management in this sport must consider the specificity of each apparatus, as they have different demands and training load behaviors. A better comprehension of external and internal training loads in youth WAG and its apparatuses can benefit coaches and support staff and provide more information to overcome the challenge of training load management in gymnastics.

The Complexity of Defining and Assessing the Most Demanding Periods of Play in Team Sports: A Current Opinion

ABSTRACTIn the context of training load monitoring, the most demanding periods of play (MDPs) have increasingly caught the interest of researchers. However, the MDPs analysis is currently embryonic, raising some conceptual and methodological questions. This current opinion synthesizes the methods used for the MDPs analysis while highlighting conceptual and methodological gaps and proposing a broader perspective on the topic. It is underlined that (a) the information available on the MDPs is mostly limited to external load (particularly running-based metrics), with scarce research focused on internal load; (b) the metrics have been analyzed in a univariate way, neglecting the multivariate scenarios from which the MDPs emerge; (c) the MDPs are highly variable over time due to the complex interaction between individual, tactical–technical, and contextual factors; and (d) scarce evidence is available regarding the contextualization of the MDPs from a tactical–technical perspective. Thus, the MDPs would benefit from cross-referencing external load with game moments and tactical actions while avoiding the idea of fixed benchmarks given the inherent match-to-match variability. Practitioners may consider replicating the MDPs (and their contexts) in (some?) training sessions as a complementary prescription strategy (metaphorically, the cherry on top, not the cake). However, the feasibility and effectiveness of such practices warrant investigation.

A Review of the Validity and Reliability of Accelerometer-Based Metrics From Upper Back-Mounted GNSS Player Tracking Systems for Athlete Training Load Monitoring.

Dawson, L, Beato, M, Devereux, G, and McErlain-Naylor, SA. A review of the validity and reliability of accelerometer-based metrics from upper back-mounted GNSS player tracking systems for athlete training load monitoring. J Strength Cond Res 38(8): e459-e474, 2024-Athlete load monitoring using upper back-mounted global navigation satellite system (GNSS) player tracking is common within many team sports. However, accelerometer-based load monitoring may provide information that cannot be achieved with GNSS alone. This review focuses on the accelerometer-based metrics quantifying the accumulation of accelerations as an estimation of athlete training load, appraising the validity and reliability of accelerometer use in upper back-mounted GNSS player tracking systems, the accelerometer-based metrics, and their potential for application within athlete monitoring. Reliability of GNSS-housed accelerometers and accelerometer-based metrics are dependent on the equipment model, signal processing methods, and the activity being monitored. Furthermore, GNSS unit placement on the upper back may be suboptimal for accelerometer-based estimation of mechanical load. Because there are currently no feasible gold standard comparisons for field-based whole-body biomechanical load, the validity of accelerometer-based load metrics has largely been considered in relation to other measures of training load and exercise intensity. In terms of convergent validity, accelerometer-based metrics (e.g., PlayerLoad, Dynamic Stress Load, Body Load) have correlated, albeit with varying magnitudes and certainty, with measures of internal physiological load, exercise intensity, total distance, collisions and impacts, fatigue, and injury risk and incidence. Currently, comparisons of these metrics should not be made between athletes because of mass or technique differences or between manufacturers because of processing variations. Notable areas for further study include the associations between accelerometer-based metrics and other parts of biomechanical load-adaptation pathways of interest, such as internal biomechanical loads or methods of manipulating these metrics through effective training design.

Towards a more individualised assessment of post-training fatigue in young footballers

Despite improvements in training load and fatigue monitoring, fatigue status may adversely affect intrinsic risk factors, particularly in young footballers. This study aimed to better individualise the fatigue effects of a 75-min football training session in young elite male players.Eighteen players (15.6 ± 1.7 years) completed a test battery before and after a football training session. Assessments included capillary blood samples (HCO3−, lactate, pH), subjective ratings of muscle soreness and fatigue. Functional tests included 30 m field sprint, laboratory drop jump (DJ) and horizontal force-velocity (H-FvP). The k-means method was applied to the first two dimensions of principal component analysis of changes in the H-FvP and DJ tests.Football training resulted in significant physiological changes and functional impairments, in particular an increase in interlimb asymmetry in the DJ test. No significant fatigue effect was found on the H-FvP test data. However, confirming the interest of combining the two tests, cluster analysis revealed two subgroups: In the H-FvP test, Cluster 1 decreased in V‾0 (p < 0.001) and P‾max (p < 0.01), while Cluster 2 decreased in F‾0 (p < 0.001). In the DJ test, Cluster 1 decreased in mean velocity (p < 0.01), relative mean and maximum power (p < 0.01) during push-off, while Cluster 2 decreased in relative mean push-off force (p < 0.01) and increased in interlimb asymmetry during braking (p < 0.01).This study highlights the contribution and complementarity of the H-FvP and DJ tests to improve individual screening for fatigue-related functional changes in footballers. Extrapolated values from the H-FvP test led to the identification of two subgroups with opposite fatigue profiles. One subgroup showed increased interlimb asymmetry in DJ, indicating an increased risk of injury with fatigue. These findings highlight the need for individualised fatigue assessment in young footballers.

Analyzing a full season of external training load monitoring based on distance in Iranian Premier League Soccer male players

Analyzing a full season of external training load monitoring based on distance in Iranian Premier League Soccer male players

Training load monitoring and wellness tracking of student athletes

The evolution of Strength and Conditioning (S&amp;C) has been significant in enhancing athletic performance, especially with a more recent shift in considering holistic athlete wellness which encompasses physical, emotional, and psychological aspects. Understanding the multifaced nature of athlete wellness allows an insight into the holistic wellbeing of athletes. Despite this, student-athletes are an understudied population who face unique challenges due to academic pressures, financial challenges, and intense training schedules in contrast to the established professional athlete. This study aims to investigate the correlation between S&amp;C training loads and various wellness metrics (sleep quality, muscle soreness, mood and educational stress) in student athletes. Understanding how student athlete wellness varies over the academic year allows S&amp;C coaches to tailor training loads to better compliment wellness and improve psychological, physical wellbeing and ultimately athletic performance. With institutional ethics approval from University of Derby, a mixed methods approach was adopted using an online questionnaire which 50 student athletes filled out multiple times a day over the academic year. Sports included were men’s &amp; women’s volleyball, badminton and men’s futsal. Data collected by the survey included sleep duration and quality, muscle soreness ratings, mood surveys, illness reports, training load measurements, stress and anxiety evaluations. This comprehensive data set enables a detailed analysis of trends over time. It is anticipated that the study will reveal significant relationships between training loads and various wellness indicators. Specific trends, such as the impact of academic stress on training effectiveness or the role of sleep quality in recovery and performance, are expected to emerge. These insights will provide valuable information for tailoring S&amp;C programs to better support student athletes. Understanding the complex relationship of training loads and wellness in student athletes is crucial for optimising their performance and overall well-being. This study aims to contribute to a more intricate understanding of these relationships, informing the development of more effective, individualised training and wellness strategies. Ultimately, the research will provide an understanding for the importance of a holistic approach in athlete development, considering both physical and psychological aspects for optimal performance enhancement.

Seasonal variation of physical, perceptual, and cognitive function measures in professional academy soccer players

Soccer match play and training have been documented to significantly impair players' physical function and affect their perceptual wellness, indicating the necessity of evaluating the response to mixed-content training across a soccer season (Deely et al., 2022, Front Physiol, 13, 911009; Brownstein et al., 2017, Front Physiol, 8, 831; Thomas et al., 2017, Med Sci Sports Exer, 49, 955-964). This study aimed to assess seasonal variation in physical, perceptual, and cognitive functions in response to training among professional academy soccer players, to identify whether players develop increased physical robustness or encounter greater physiological and psychological impairments due to the demanding training and match schedule. Ethical approval was granted for sixteen academy players (age: 18 ± 1 years) to undergo a range of tests at three seasonal points - early, mid, and late - at baseline, immediately post-strenuous training, and at 24, 48, and 72 h. The testing regime encompassed physical performance (countermovement jump [CMJ], ten-to-five repeated jump test [10/5 RJT]), cognitive function (Stroop task, Four-Choice Reaction Time [FCRT] test, Corsi Block Test), and perceptual responses via an adapted Short Questionnaire of Fatigue (SQF). Linear mixed modelling (LMM) was employed to analyse the impact of season phase and testing time-points on training response, incorporating testing measures as dependent variables. Jump performance varied across time-points, with performance maintained immediately post-training, although displaying decrements at 24 h (P &lt; 0.001), 48 h (P &lt; 0.01), and remained unresolved at 72 h (P &lt; 0.05). Season phase exerted a fixed effect on physical function, with vertical jumps decreasing from both early- (P = 0.033, CMJ; P &lt; 0.001, 10/5 RJT) and mid-season (P &lt; 0.001, CMJ; P &lt; 0.001, 10/5 RJT) to late-season. Perceptual measures—soreness, fatigue, and readiness to train—varied across the week, with immediate post-session impairments recovering by 48 and 72 hours. Cognitive function remained relatively stable across the training week, with only a decline in Corsi Block performance noted immediately post-session. An improvement in FCRT from early to mid-season was observed, though accuracy decreased from early to late-season. No interaction between season phase and training week time-points was found across any variable, indicating a consistent training response throughout the season, despite substantial impairments in physical function and declines in perceptual wellness observed post-training. The decrease in physical function during the late-season phase underscores the need for enhanced recovery focus and training load monitoring as the season progresses.

Athlete monitoring perspectives of sports coaches and support staff: A scoping review

Objectives To map and summarise the sports coaches’ and support staff's perspectives on athlete monitoring to explore the breadth of literature, identify knowledge gaps and inform future research. Design Scoping review based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology. Methods SPORTDiscus, MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, and Embase databases were searched in English until 6 September 2022. The inclusion criteria were (1) coach(es) and/or support staff were explicitly questioned about their knowledge, perceptions, understanding, opinions, and/or applied practice of athlete monitoring; (2) results could be directly attributed to coach(es) and/or support staff; (3) primary research projects that are available as full-text. Exclusion criteria were applied for grey literature. The data were extracted into a custom-made data charting spreadsheet. Results From the 4381 identified records, 42 met the eligibility criteria. Almost all the studies were conducted within the Anglosphere and at the national or international level. The main reasons for coaches and support staff to implement athlete monitoring were to reduce injury and illness, inform the training program, and improve or maintain performance. While training load monitoring is generally seen as valuable the coaches and support staff acknowledged that there was no perfect scientific approach to monitoring athletes and believed it should be part of the bigger picture, emphasising communication. Conclusions There has been a recent surge in research demonstrating that athlete monitoring extends beyond quantitative information and encompasses non-quantified subjective information. This further substantiates that coaches and support staff will remain central to athlete monitoring, even amidst the anticipated technological progress.