Session RPE and Speed High Intensity Distance in Meters (D_SHI mt): A Valid Method to Analyze Training Load in Soccer Players

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to verify the physiological effect and describe the intensity of training in response to internal and external loads, through Session Rate of Perceived Exertion and Speed High Intensity Distance in Meters reports, on professional soccer players engaged in weekly training (199 Sessions, 43 weeks) and league games (32 official matches). Twenty-two male professional soccer players (n = 22) of the Italian national championship under-19 are involved in this study during the season 2014-2015. Daily, Weekly and Monthly RPE (perceived exertion) Session (Borg CR-10 Scale) is a good indicator of the amount of work done: training time multiplied by perceived effort (TL = Training Time × RPE). With Arbitrary units (a.u.) produced by the individual and used for team-based data analysis, we analyze the intensity produced by workout depending on the working time. Furthermore, by means of global positioning system technology (K-Sport, Montelabbate PU, Italy 10 Hz), we statistically established the existing relationship with high intensity speed distance (> 16 km/h) and session rate of perceived exertion to describe how the internal (represented by the sum of the stresses that the body undergoes an external load; is strictly subjective) and external loads (the objective quantification of the means used in training km routes, running speed, slope, type of recovery), are correlated (r = 0.87, p <0.01, 95% CI). The statistical analysis highlights how these methods are suitable to quantifying the high-intensity work done by the soccer player during the workout and the game.

Match-Play External Load and Internal Load in NCAA Division II Women's Soccer

“…Session RPE has been known to correlate to various external load variables in soccer (5,10,15,16). Multiple external load variables have been examined for relationships to sRPE, most commonly total distance, but also high-speed running distance, Player Load, and Impulse Load.…”

“…These data support that athletes who run longer distances will have higher Player Loads, which is a common metric for monitoring volume. Session RPE has been known to correlate to various external load variables in soccer (5,10,15,16). Multiple external load variables have been examined for relationships to sRPE, most commonly total distance, but also high-speed running distance, Player Load, and Impulse Load.…”

“…In addition, it has been demonstrated that external load profiles also differ across playing levels (14,27,29,40), meaning data from more elite teams may not be applicable to less elite teams. Previous findings for player load profiles of male soccer players are not applicable to female soccer players due to known biological sex differences (4,5,8,16,24). Data exist that describe the typical match-play player profiles for women's soccer at the professional level (20,33,39), DI level (1,7,15,23,24,32,34,41), DII level (10), and DIII level (17).…”

“…In addition, subjective data are often used to track individual responses to training programs in team sports (e.g., session rating of perceived exertion [sRPE]) (13,15,25,32). It is understood that objective and subjective data can be used in player management strategies and aid in match-day decision making (13,15,16,19,24,32,37). However, generalizable differences between positions are speculative because of a lack of thorough investigations of the relationships between all variables (Player Load, total distance, relative distance, sprint distance, peak speed, number of power plays, and sRPE).…”