Key result
Perceived ratings of fatigue were sensitive to fluctuations in acute training load accumulation, but sensitivity was generally not improved when compared with training loads beyond the previous day.
Observational (n=10)
No
In elite soccer players, morning-measured perceived fatigue and submaximal heart rate are sensitive to acute fluctuations in training load, but sensitivity is generally not improved by analyzing loads beyond the previous day.
PURPOSE: To determine the sensitivity of a range of potential fatigue measures to daily training load accumulated over the previous 2, 3, and 4 d during a short in-season competitive period in elite senior soccer players (N = 10). METHODS: Total highspeed-running distance, perceived ratings of wellness (fatigue, muscle soreness, sleep quality), countermovement-jump height (CMJ), submaximal heart rate (HRex), postexercise heart-rate recovery (HRR), and heart-rate variability (HRV: Ln rMSSD) were analyzed during an in-season competitive period (17 d). General linear models were used to evaluate the influence of 2-, 3-, and 4-d total high-speed-running-distance accumulation on fatigue measures. RESULTS: Fluctuations in perceived ratings of fatigue were correlated with fluctuations in total high-speed-running-distance accumulation covered on the previous 2 d (r = -.31; small), 3 d (r = -.42; moderate), and 4 d (r = -.28; small) (P < .05). Changes in HRex (r = .28; small; P = .02) were correlated with changes in 4-d total high-speed-running-distance accumulation only. Correlations between variability in muscle soreness, sleep quality, CMJ, HRR%, and HRV and total high-speed-running distance were negligible and not statistically significant for all accumulation training loads. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived ratings of fatigue and HRex were sensitive to fluctuations in acute total high-speed-running-distance accumulation, although sensitivity was not systematically influenced by the number of previous days over which the training load was accumulated. The present findings indicate that the sensitivity of morning-measured fatigue variables to changes in training load is generally not improved when compared with training loads beyond the previous day's training.
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Thorpe et al. (2016) conducted an observational in Elite soccer players (n=10). Acute training load (accumulated total high-speed-running distance) vs. Previous day's training load was evaluated on Correlation between morning-measured perceived fatigue and total high-speed-running distance over the previous 3 days (r = -0.42, 95% CI -0.61 to -0.18, p=0.001). Perceived ratings of fatigue were sensitive to fluctuations in acute training load accumulation, but sensitivity was generally not improved when compared with training loads beyond the previous day.
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