Abstract
Monitoring training load (TL) is vital for optimizing athletic performance and reducing risk of injury by identifying changes in a player's condition and workload. However, there is limited literature comparing player positions and analyzing weekly workloads in relation to internal and external load metrics. PURPOSE: (1) Compare accumulated load and training monotony in external and internal load metrics between the first (1H) and second halves (2H) of the season; (2) analyze variations in these indicators by playing positions. METHODS: 38 semi-professional players (age: 23±2.05 years; height: 186.61±44.88 cm; weight: 77.23±10.29 kg) playing in 5 positions (central defender (CD=5), external defender (ED=10), central midfielder (CM=8), forward (F=12), and goalkeeper (GK=3) over two different years were monitored daily over an 8-week period for session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), total distance (TD), and training impulse (TRIMP). Each week, each player’s accumulated load (total load for the week) and training monotony (mean load divided by standard deviation) were calculated. RESULTS: In the first and second year, training monotony for TD was significantly higher in 1H (16.9±3.67 mi, 17.7±5.4 mi) of the season than in 2H (14.4±3.7 mi, 1.4±8.4 mi) (p≤0.0147; d=0.75, p≤0.007; d=0.92, respectively). In the first year, the training monotony of TRIMP was significantly higher in 1H (2.06±0.902 au) than in 2H (1.36±0.555 au) (p≤0.002; d=0.93). In the second year, accumulated TD and accumulated TRIMP were both significantly higher in 1H (17.7±5.4 mi, 623±200 au) than in 2H (14.2±8.4 mi, 481±308 au) (p≤0.0170; d=0.49, p≤0.0223; d=0.54), while average sRPE was significantly lower in the 1H (4.81±1.08 au) than 2H (5.46±1.51 au) (p ≤ 0.0306; d=0.49). Positionally, accumulated TD was higher in CM (18.5±7.2 mi) than F (14.8±6.4 mi) and GK (11.6±3.5 mi) (p≤0.0492; d=0.55, p≤0.007 d=1.22, respectively), training monotony of TD was higher in GK (2.25±0.509 au) than CD (1.68±0.550 au), CM (1.45±0.473), and ED (1.63±0.490 au) (p≤0.0232; d=-1.07, p≤0.007; d=-1.63, p≤0.0049; d=-1.24, respectively). Training monotony of TRIMP was higher in GK (2.89±1.09 au) than CD (1.58±0.526), CM (1.39±0.480 au), ED (1.54±0.587 au), and F (1.67±0.708 au) (p≤0.0001; d=-1.53, p≤0.0001; d=-1.78, p≤0.0001; d=-1.54, p≤0.0001; d=-1.33, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: While 1H is more physically demanding and less varied, 2H is likely to increase perceived mental strain due to the cumulative physical effects of training and the mental stress of a soccer season. Practitioners should also consider the high accumulated distance of central midfielders and the low variation in TD and TRIMP on a week-to-week basis for goalkeepers.
Recommended Citation
McCollum, Tyler B.; Brojanac, Alexandra; Hollis, Erica; Rolloque, Jan-Joseph S.; and Sekiguchi, Yasuki
(2025)
"Position-Specific Insights into Weekly Training Load Variability in Soccer Athletes,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2:
Iss.
17, Article 102.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss17/102
Included in
Health and Physical Education Commons, Medical Education Commons, Sports Sciences Commons