Are acute:chronic workload ratios of perceived exertion and running based variables sensible to detect variations between player positions over the season? A soccer team study

Abstract

Background The aim of this study was to describe and compare the in-season variations of acute: chronic workload ratio (ACWR) coupled, uncoupled, and exponentially weighted moving average (EWMA) through session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE), total distance (TD), high-speed running distance (HSRD) and sprint distance (SPRINT) in three different periods of an elite soccer season according to player positions. Methods Twenty male elite players (age: 29.4 ± 4.4) from an Asian First League team were daily monitored for twenty consecutive weeks during the 2017–2018 in-season. Forty-seven trainings and twenty matches were monitored using global positioning system units (GPS) to collect TD, HSRD and SPRINT. Through the collection of s-RPE, TD, HSRD, and SPRINT by ACWR and EWMA were calculated for each training session. Results The results revealed that according to different periods of the season, workload measures observed in mid-season were meaningfully higher compared with early-season (g = ranging from 0.53 to 4.98) except for EWMASPRINT. In general, wingers and strikers tended to have greater scores in workload measures compared to the defenders and midfielders (g = ranging from 0.41 to 5.42). Conclusions These findings may provide detailed information for coaches and sports scientists regarding the variations of acute and chronic workload ratio and external loading in-season and between player positions in an elite soccer team.

Tracking devices and physical performance analysis in team sports: a comprehensive framework for research—trends and future directions

“…Recently, a higher preseason workload, such as a running performance, was related to a lower risk of injuries (100). On the other hand, higher levels of weekly chronic workload (ACWR) indicate greater chances of sustaining non-contact injuries (84,91). We suggest that these dichotomic reports may support the need for better longitudinal use of tracking systems in different team sports, in order to establish causal correlations between specific parameters, and consequently, to improve injury prevention measures.…”

“…In addition, an understanding of load dynamics across training and competition is presented as an important aspect related to performance enhancement in team sports (8,47,60,61), showing, for example, how adjusting specific drills such as large,-medium-and small-sided games may help replicate game demands (86,87). Correlations between EL and IL in different season periods were applied in order to understand the fluctuation of some metrics such as players' strength (88), players' recovery (89), or ACWR, between players' positions, starters, and non-starters (82, 84,90,91). Also, Pizarro et al (26) demonstrated how different occupational areas may promote different physical variables.…”

Effects of Game Weekly Frequency on Subjective Training Load, Wellness, and Injury Rate in Male Elite Soccer Players

“…Soccer performance analysis is crucial and is usually related to a systematic change in the training load [1][2][3], in order to evaluate players' achievement [4]. Training load variables, such as duration, frequency, and intensity, play an interactive role in improving and regulating physical capacity and performance [5].…”