Training and match running distances and perceived exertion at sea-level and altitude in elite North American soccer: A natural longitudinal cross-over case series

Purpose There is limited real-world data on differential perceptions of exertion in professional soccer at altitude. In a natural cross-over design, we quantified responses to training and matches at sea level and altitude. Methods Total, and high-speed, running distance and differential session ratings of perceived exertion for breathlessness (s-RPE-B) and leg exertion (s-RPE-L) were collected from 19 professional soccer players (age: 27.3 ± 3.4 years, stature: 181.2 ± 5.9cm, mass: 78.7 ± 8.1kg) at sea-level and altitude. Data were collected for matches raining sessions one and two days pre match. Results Differences between altitude conditions were estimated through mixed-linear modeling, with 95% confidence intervals representing values highly compatible with our observed data. In matches, total distance may have been reduced (95% confidence intervals 43 to -833 m, surprisal [s] = 3.74) and s-RPE-B may have increased (-0.6 to 10.7, s = 3.66) at altitude. A clear perceptual shift was observed with s-RPE-B increasing relative to s-RPE-L (-13.4 to -7.17, s >13) at altitude. Training at altitude included higher total (318 to 661 m, s > 13), and high-speed (33.1 to 93 m, s > 13), running distances but s-RPE-L reduced (-14.2 to -1.01, s = 5.39) and s-RPE-B increased relative to s-RPE-L (-15.1 to -3.93, s = 10.3). Conclusions Our key finding was breathlessness increased relative to leg exertion at altitude.