Objective and subjective analysis of the training content in young cyclists

Intra-Season Variations in Workload Parameters in Europe's Elite Young Soccer Players: A Comparative Pilot Study between Starters and Non-Starters

Background: The main purpose of the current study was to compare the within-season variations of workload, training duration, acute/chronic workload ratio (ACWR), training monotony ™, and training strain (TS) through session rating perceived exertion (s-RPE) between starters and non-starters. Methods: Seventeen under-17 European male soccer players (age, 16.2 ± 0.3 y, height, 1.8 ± 0.1 m; body mass, 66.5 ± 4.0 kg) divided in two groups: nine starters and eight non-starters, were evaluated over 50 weeks throughout the season. Results: In general, there were load variations for all players during the full-season. RPE tended to decrease during in-season and RPE, training duration and s-RPE did not present significant differences between starters and non-starters. TM and TS presented lower values for starters in mesocycle (M) 4 and M11 compared to non-starters. TS presented lower values for starters in M4 and M11 compared to non-starters, while in M10 a higher value was found for starters when compared to non-starters. ACWR showed differences between starters and non-starters in two of the mesocycles. Conclusions: This study showed that some mesocycles provided higher load for non-starters. This information can alert coaches that non-starter players are likely to try too hard in training to demonstrate their abilities, leading to non-functional overreaching, overtraining syndrome, and then poor performance.

Comparison of coach-athlete perceptions on internal and external training loads in trained cyclists

ABSTRACTThe aim was to compare the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), duration and session-RPE (S-RPE) prescribed by the coaches to those perceived by the cyclists in training sessions. The classification of RPE, duration and S-RPE of 14 male road cycling and mountain biking athletes were compared with the planned values of five coaches. The results revealed no differences for average RPE (P = 0.586), duration (P = 0.717) and S-RPE (P = 0.738) between coaches and cyclists. When comparing the three categories of effort, the results of the intensity of training sessions designed to be easy were perceived as significantly harder by cyclists compared to coaches (3.0 [2.0] vs. 2.0 [0.0] a.u.; P = 0.013). In addition, the correlations between coaches and cyclists on RPE (r = 0.73), duration (r = 0.95) and S-RPE (r = 0.87) were large, almost perfect and very large (P < 0.0001) respectively. In conclusion, our results indicate a mismatch between coaches (prescription) and cyclists (perception) of easy RPE training sessions, where the cyclists perceived the session harder. However, the S-RPE can be used to prescribe and quantifying the internal training load of trained cyclists.

The Relationship Between Coach and Player Training Load Perceptions in Professional Soccer

The training load imposed and perceived by coaches and soccer players, respectively, was compared for three weeks of the basic preparatory period of a professional soccer team through session ratings of perceived exertion (S-RPE). Participants were 24 professional Brazilian soccer players (all males, age: 24.1 ± 3.4 years) and their coaches. Athletes responded to the scale of perceived exertion (scores from 0 to10) after the training, while the coaches completed the scale prior to the training session, based on prior planning. The t-test for independent samples was used to compare S-RPE responses, and the Pearson correlation test was used to examine possible correlations between the parameters analyzed. There were no statistical differences between perceptions of prescribed (coaches) and experienced (players) S-RPE, and moderate correlations were found between these parameters ( r = .60; p = .003). No statistically significant group differences were found in the perceived exertion during any of three types of training: physical, technical, or tactical. The results suggest that the S-RPE prescribed during the preseason period (by coaches) was not different from that perceived by professional soccer players.

Feasibility study on a perceived fatigue prediction dependent power control for an electrically assisted bicycle

Several types of electric motor assists have been developed, as a result, it is important to control muscular fatigue on-site in terms of health promotion and motor rehabilitation. Predicting the perceived fatigue by several biosignal-related variables with the multiple regression model and polynomial approximation, we try to propose a self control design for the electrically assisted bicycle (EAB). We also determine the meaningful muscles during pedaling by muscle synergies in relation to the motion maturity. In field experiments, prediction of ongoing perceived physical fatigue could have the potential of suitable control of EAB.

Typical weekly workload of under 15, under 17, and under 19 elite Portuguese football players

This study aims to describe the time-motion and physiological performance profiles of footballers whose ages are under 15 (U15), under 17 (U17), and under 19 (U19) during a typical week of a competitive season. A total of 151 elite Portuguese players U15 (age 14.0 ± 0.2; n = 56), U17 (age 15.8 ± 0.4; n = 66), and U19 (age 17.8 ± 0.6; n = 19) were monitored during 33 training sessions (TSs) (U15 n = 12; U17 n = 11; and U19 n = 10 TSs). The TS data were captured at 15 Hz by global positioning systems devices and divided into post-match (session after the match), prematch (session before the match), and middle week (average of remaining sessions). The U15 middle week showed a higher number of sprints, distance covered in intermediate speed zones, and time spent above 90% HRmax, while the prematch presented a higher distance covered above 18 km · h(-1) and time spent below 75% HRmax. In U17, both prematch and post-match data presented lower values than middle-week data in most of the variables. The post-match data in U19 presented higher values of distance covered above 13 km · h(-1), body impacts above 10 G, and time spent above 85% HRmax, while middle week showed higher values in body impacts in most of the zones. In addition, the prematch data presented 35% to 100% less values than the middle-week data. Understanding the weekly workload variations according to the competition and the developmental ages of the players can contribute to optimising short- and mid-term planning.

Variáveis objetivas e subjetivas para monitoramento de diferentes ciclos de temporada em jogadores de basquete

O presente estudo teve o objetivo de avaliar, comparar e relacionar carga e cansaço causado por treinamento durante um ciclo de periodização em jogadores de basquete. Oito atletas profissionais masculinos com idade de 21,9 ± 3,4 anos, todos participantes do Campeonato Paulista de Basquete, divisão especial, foram sujeitos deste estudo. O macrociclo analisado incluiu 19 semanas divididas nos seguintes períodos: preparatório, competitivo I e competitivo II (tendo 4,6 e nove semanas, respectivamente). Os autores avaliaram os atletas diariamente quanto à percepção subjetiva de cansaço e carga de treinamento e monitoraram a potência de membro superior dos atletas através da quantificação de sua capacidade de lançar uma bola medicinal. Os atletas apresentaram menos fadiga (p < 0,005) no período preparatório (13,71 ± 1,30) em comparação com os períodos competitivo I (14,68 ± 1,51) e competitivo II (14,63 ± 1,22). Sua habilidade de lançar a bola medicinal diminuiu (p < 0,005) no período competitivo II (3,59 ± 0,30) em comparação com os períodos preparatório (3,80 ± 0,36) e competitivo I (3,86 ± 0,26). Sua monotonia diminuiu (p < 0,001) no período competitivo II (1,18 ± 0,43) em comparação com o preparatório (2,50 ± 2,01) e competitivo I (2,10 ± 1,61). Os resultados revelaram a efetividade na monitoração da carga e cansaço dos atletas através do método proposto para auxiliar na organização do treinamento durante um macrociclo.

Anthropometry and Pre-Race Experience of Finishers and Nonfinishers in a Multistage Ultra-Endurance Run — Deutschlandlauf 2007

The effects of anthropometry and pre-race experience on race performance were investigated in male nonprofessional ultra-runners performing a multistage run of 1,200 km over 17 days. Of 24 athletes examined pre-race, 14 (58 %) dropped out during the race due to overuse injuries of the lower limbs. During the race, body mass, thickness of the calf skin-fold, skeletal muscle mass, and percent body fat decreased significantly, while circumference of the upper arm, thickness of triceps, and abdominal skin-fold as well as Body Mass Index decreased significantly in the finishers. Neither anthropometry nor pre-race experience and training volume nor previously finished races were associated with the race time of the finishers. In future studies of ultra-runners, the influence of psychological (cognitive and emotional) predictors on race outcome should be investigated.

Physiological adaptations and analysis of training content in high school cross-country runners

The purposes of this study were to examine effects of a season of training on aerobic performance in cross-country distance runners and to analyze the training using subjective and objective techniques. Subjects averaged 184 minutes of running per week, with 45%, 24%, and 31% occurring in zones below, near, and above the heart rate (HR) corresponding to ventilatory threshold (VT(HR)), respectively (Zone 1: HR > 15 bpm below VT(HR); Zone 2: HR between Zone 1 and VT(HR); Zone 3: HR > VT(HR)). Maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2 max)) increased by 5.1%, 5-km race time by 46 seconds (3.7%), and 2-km time trial performance by 54 seconds (10.7%) from pre- to postseason. Results are similar to previous research demonstrating that short-term (< 3 months) endurance training elicits improvements in various physiological parameters. Findings were not consistent with previous research that suggests a discrepancy may exist between the runners' perceptions and the physiological effects of their training.