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
Effect estimate: r = -0.42 (95% CI -0.61 to -0.18)
p-value: p=0.001
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.
Thorpe et al. (Mon,) conducted a 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.