Timoteo, TF, Debien, PB, Miloski, B, Werneck, FZ, Gabbett, T, and Filho, MGb. Influence of workload and recovery on injuries in elite male volleyball players. J Strength Cond Res 35(3): 791–796, 2021—The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of workload and recovery on injury rates in elite male volleyball players. Data were collected from 14 male professional volleyball players over a 27-week season. Workloads were monitored daily using the session rating of perceived exertion, and recovery status was appraised using the Total Quality Recovery (TQR) scale. The players were exposed to 4,573.31 hours (h) of training and games with an overall injury incidence of 13.99 per 1,000 hours. Overuse accounted for 83% (11.58 injuries/1,000 hours) and trauma accounted for 17% (2.40 injuries per 1,000 hours) of all injuries. There was a higher incidence of injuries (p = 0.003), higher weekly workload (p = 0.008), and acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) (p < 0.001) in the pre-season compared with the competitive period. Healthy players had lower ACWR (p = 0.002) compared with the injured players. The TQR was higher for the healthy group compared with the injured group (p < 0.001). The greater odds of injury was related to higher ACWR (risk factor) (p = 0.014) and lower TQR values (p = 0.004) (protection factor). Athlete's workloads and the state of recovery may be related to injuries in volleyball. The results presented in this study emphasize the importance of controlling these variables in professional volleyball teams to prevent injuries.

Introduction: The success of training depends on the balance between training load magnitude and recovery. Objective: Verify the effect of training load distribution on recovery status, vigor and fatigue in volleyball players during a season. Methods: Nine male athletes from a professional volleyball team participated in the study. During 19 weeks of the season, quantification of the training load was performed through the session rating of perceived exertion (RPE) method, evaluation of the athletes' recovery status through the Total Quality Recovery (TQR) scale, and evaluation of the profile of mood state through the POMS questionnaire, with research focus for the subscales vigor and fatigue. Results: The average total weekly training load (TWTL) was 3206 ± 685.5 A. Us and the average recovery of the whole season was 15.3 ± 0.57. The mean values of fatigue and vigor were 11 ± 3.05 and 19.4 ± 2.84, respectively. Significant differences were found for the variables RPE, fatigue and Energy Index (Vigor - Fatigue) in the three different periods of the season (Preparatory Period, Competitive Period I and Competitive Period II). Conclusion: It was concluded that the training load and recovery monitoring methods used throughout the season were effective in controlling the variables, with a positive impact of training loads verified on the recovery values presented by the athletes. Level of Evidence III; Diagnostic study.

Context Rhythmic gymnastics requires a high level of complexity and perfection of technical gestures, associated with well-developed physical and artistic capacities. The training-load and recovery profiles of rhythmic gymnasts across a season are unknown. Objective To analyze the training load and recovery of professional rhythmic gymnasts during 1 season. Design Cohort study. Setting Brazilian National Training Center of Rhythmic Gymnastics and competition facilities. Patients or Other Participants Eight gymnasts from the Brazilian national senior rhythmic gymnastics group. Main Outcome Measure(s) Session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) and total quality recovery (TQR) scores were collected daily for 43 weeks. We obtained the session-RPE after each session and TQR score before the first session of the day. Performances during 5 competitions were also recorded. The season was divided into 8 periods. Total weekly internal training load (wITL), training intensity, frequency, duration, recovery, and acute-to-chronic workload ratio were calculated for analysis. Results The season mean wITL was 10 381 ± 4894 arbitrary units, mean session-RPE score was 5.0 ± 1.6, and mean TQR score was 12.8 ± 1.3. The gymnasts trained an average of 8.7 ± 2.9 sessions per week, with a mean duration of 219 ± 36 minutes. Each competitive period showed increased wITL compared with the previous period. Training-load variables (wITL and session-RPE) and recovery were inversely correlated. Gymnasts were poorly recovered (TQR &lt; 13) during 50.9% of the season (n = 167 times), especially during competitive weeks. Spikes in load (acute-to-chronic workload ratio ≥ 1.5) occurred across 18.1% of the season (n = 55 times). Conclusions The training-load variables and recovery changed throughout a professional rhythmic gymnastics group season, mainly during competitive periods. The correct distribution of training load is critical to ensure that gymnasts are entering competitions in a recovered state.

The aim of this study is to analyze the weekly profile of internal training load (ITL) and recovery of elite rhythmic gymnasts during a season. Eight professional rhythmic gymnasts of the Brazilian senior group participated. The session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) and Total Quality Recovery (TQR) score were collected daily across a 37-week season. The session-RPE was collected after each session and the TQR before the first session of the day. The sum of ITL of each session of the day (dITL) and week (wITL), as well as average TQR scores, were retained for the analysis. Training monotony and strain were also recorded. For the analysis, the season was divided into preparatory period, competitive period and a period comprising the competition weeks, within the competitive period. The ITL and recovery profile were different between the days of the periods and the competition weeks. The competitive period as a whole showed higher mean wITL, dITL, and strain, and lower monotony than the others. However, during the competition weeks gymnasts presented the worst recovery and highest monotony scores, despite the lowest mean wITL and dITL. Negative correlation was found between dITL and TQR of the following day (r= -0.333; p<0.001). The ITL and recovery profile changed between the season periods and competition weeks. The training load profile of the competitive period and competition weeks did not guarantee good recovery, especially on the weekend. More variability in load magnitude is suggested, possibly including a day off, during competitive periods and competition weeks.

Competitive periods are critical periods where elite rhythmic gymnasts experience higher training loads and insufficient recovery. The aim of this short report is to describe individual training load, recovery and injuries in elite group rhythmic gymnasts during competitive periods. Six gymnasts from the Brazilian senior rhythmic gymnastics group were monitored daily over a 126-day period comprising regular training and four competitions. Training load was measured using the session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE). Daily load, chronic load, and acute:chronic workload ratio (ACWR) were assessed. The Total Quality Recovery (TQR) scale was used to monitor recovery and a 3-day rolling average (3RA) TQR was also measured. Injuries were diagnosed and reported by the medical staff and their reports were used in the analysis. Descriptive statistics were used. The gymnasts presented distinct daily load, ACWR, and recovery patterns, as well as injuries across the competitive periods. All athletes had rapid increase (“spike”) in load. Three athletes were underrecovered more than 60% of the time. Four athletes sustained five injuries during the time of the study (all lower limb overuse injuries, two severe, two mild and one slight). Individual factors such as age and chronic load could moderate how each gymnast responds to training and tolerates spikes in load. Moreover, injuries sustained during competitive periods appear to affect the short and long-term careers of gymnasts, as well as impair training and competition organization of the team.