Long-Term Associations Between Subjective Ratings of Wellness and Exertion and Parameters of Training Load in Elite Soccer Over Two Seasons

The purpose of this study was to investigate longitudinal relationships between subjective (self-reported) measures of readiness prior to training and exertion post-training with objective parameters of training performance measured via body-worn global positioning systems (GPS). Data was collected over a two-season period with 36 elite Premiership soccer players (16 players from the 2013/14 season; 20 players from the 2014/15). Subjective ratings of muscle soreness (MS) and fatigue (Fat) were collected prior to training sessions two days before a match. Sessional load (rating of perceived exertion x session duration) (sRPE) was measured following each session. GPS metrics of total distance covered (TD), high-speed running (HSR) and dynamic stress load (DSL), were significantly associated with subjective measures post-training. However, correlations between pre-training MS and HSR were discovered for the squad during the 2014/15 season. These observations were positive which showed increased muscle soreness correlated with increased HSR, which was not expected as increased muscle soreness would result in lower higher speed activity. Individual analyses revealed that 25% of the players demonstrated negative moderate or strong associations presenting that decreased muscle soreness is correlated with a decrease of HSR and TD. Post-training subjective ratings both presented strong associations at squad level between increased sRPE and increased DSL, HSR and TD. At the individual level 50% of players presented moderate to strong associations between sRPE and TD, and between HSR and DSL over both seasons. When examined over a combined two season period again squad pre-training subjective measures did not give any clear indication on performance levels within the following training session. There where individual instances of significant associations between pre-training subjective measures and GPS metrics. In addition, good associations between sRPE and both TD and DSL across both seasons provide new evidence for the use of post-session RPE as a robust indication of training performance within elite level soccer.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

mphil

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Liverpool John Moores University

Year dc:date.issued

2019

Author dc:creator

• Dowling, J

Contributors dc:contributor

• Lake, M

• BF Psychology
• RC1200 Sports Medicine

DOI dc:identifier.doi

https://doi.org/10.24377/LJMU.t.00010677

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk:10677