Abstract:
Purpose: The ability to accurately control and monitor internal
training load is an important aspect of effective coaching. The aim of this study was to apply in soccer the RPE-based method proposed
by Foster et al. to quantify internal training load (session-RPE) and to assess its correlations with various methods used to determine
internal training load based on the HR response to exercise. Methods: Nineteen young soccer players (mean+-SD: age 17.6 ± 0.7
yr, weight 70.2 ± 4.7 kg. height 178.5 ± 4.8 em, body fat 7.5 ± 2.2%. \102m.,' 57.1 :!: 4.0 mL'kg-I'min-1) were involved in the
study. All subjects performed an incremental treadmill test before and after the training period during which lactate threshold (1.5
mmol·L' , above baseline) and OBLA (4.0 mmol·L' ') were determined. The training loads completed during the seven training weeks
were determined multiplying the session RPE (CRIO-scale) by session duration in minutes. These session-RPE values were correlated
with training load measures obtained from three different HR-based methods suggested by Edwards. Banister, and Lucia. respectively.
Results: Individual internal loads of 479 training sessions were collected. All individual correlations between various HR-based
training load and session-RPE were statistically significant (from r = 0.50 to r = 0.85. P < 0.01). Conclusion: The results of this study
show that the session-RPE can be considered a good indicator of global internal load of soccer training. This method does not require
particular expensive equipment and can be very useful and practical for coaches and athletic trainer to monitor and control internal load.
and to design periodization strategies.
