Monitoring fitness, fatigue and running performance during a pre-season training camp in elite football players
Date
2013
Authors
Buchheit, M.
Racinais, S.
Bilsborough, J.C.
Bourdon, P.C.
Voss, S.C.
Hocking, J.
Cordy, J.
Mendez Villanueva, A.
Coutts, A.J.
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Journal article
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Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 2013; 16(6):550-555
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Abstract
Objectives: To examine the usefulness of selected physiological and perceptual measures to monitor fitness, fatigue and running performance during a pre-season, 2-week training camp in eighteen professional Australian Rules Football players (21.9 ± 2.0 years).Design: Observational. Methods: Training load, perceived ratings of wellness (e.g. fatigue, sleep quality) and salivary cortisol were collected daily. Submaximal exercise heart rate (HRex) and a vagal-related heart rate variability index (LnSD1) were also collected at the start of each training session. Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 2 test (Yo-YoIR2, assessed pre-, mid- and post-camp, temperate conditions) and high-speed running distance during standardized drills (HSR, >14.4 km h−1, 4 times throughout, outdoor) were used as performance measures.
ResultsThere were significant (P < 0.001 for all) day-to-day variations in training load (coefficient of variation, CV: 66%), wellness measures (6-18%), HRex (3.3%), LnSD1 (19.0%), but not cortisol (20.0%, P = 0.60). While the overall wellness (+0.06, 90% CL (−0.14; 0.02) AU day−1) did not change substantially throughout the camp, HRex decreased (−0.51 (−0.58; −0.45) % day−1), and cortisol (+0.31 (0.06; 0.57) nmol L−1 day−1), LnSD1 (+0.1 (0.04; 0.06) ms day−1), Yo-YoIR2 performance (+23.7 (20.8; 26.6) m day−1, P < 0.001), and HSR (+4.1 (1.5; 6.6) m day−1, P < 0.001) increased. Day-to-day ΔHRex (r = 0.80, 90% CL (0.75; 0.85)), ΔLnSD1 (0.51 (r = 0.40; 0.62)) and all wellness measures (0.28 (−0.39; −0.17) < r < 0.25 (0.14; 0.36)) were related to Δtraining load. There was however no clear relationship between Δcortisol and Δtraining load. ΔYo-YoIR2 was correlated with ΔHRex (r = 0.88 (0.84; 0.92)), ΔLnSD1 (r = 0.78 (0.67; 0.89)), Δwellness (r = 0.58 (0.41; 0.75), but not Δcortisol. ΔHSR was correlated with ΔHRex (r = −0.27 (−0.48; −0.06)) and Δwellness (r = 0.65 (0.49; 0.81)), but neither with ΔLnSD1 nor Δcortisol.
Conclusions: Training load, HRex and wellness measures are the best simple measures for monitoring training responses to an intensified training camp; cortisol post-exercise and LnSD1 did not show practical efficacy here.
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Copyright 2012 Sports Medicine Australia