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INVESTIGATING OBJECTIVE AND SUBJECTIVE MEASURES OF FATIGUE IN SOCCER ATHLETES DURING AN 8-WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM

Abstract

V. McCluskey 1,2, S. Machak1, S, Shultz1, A, Foskett2

1Seattle University, Seattle, WA;

2Massey University, New Zealand

PURPOSE: Modern elite sports require that athlete fatigue is quantified and tracked throughout a competitive season. Therefore, the first aim identified relationships between objective data (isometric mid-thigh pull; IMTP) and subjective questionnaire data (Multi-Component Training Distress Scale; MTDS). The second aim investigated if different rate of force development (RFD) time epochs recorded during an IMTP could identify change experienced during a strength program. METHODS: Collegiate male soccer players (N=10; 18-22 years) completed IMTP trials and MTDS questionnaires twice per week throughout an 8-week strength program. Peak force and RFD at 50ms, 100ms, 150ms, 200ms, and 250ms were recorded during the IMTP and assessed strength and power improvements as well as fatigue. The MTDS questionnaire assessed training distress for participants based on 6 discrete factors (DEPRESSION, FATIGUE, VIGOUR, physical SYMPTOMS, SLEEP, STRESS). Repeated measures correlations analyzed relationships between IMTP and MTDS factors (Aim 1); a mixed model repeated measures ANOVA examined weekly differences in RFD by time epoch (Aim 2). RESULTS: Significant correlations existed between peak force and three MTDS factors: FATIGUE (p = 0.048; rrm = -0.173), SLEEP (p = 0.017; rrm = -0.208), and physical SYMPTOMS (p = 0.041; rrm = -0.180). Physical SYMPTOMS was also significantly correlated with RFD at 50ms (p = 0.016; rrm = -0.210). RFD at 250ms was significantly correlated with VIGOUR (p = 0.027; rrm of -0.193). Significant changes in performance between early (1-3) and late weeks (6-8) of the program existed only at RFD 100ms and 150ms (p < 0.05) epochs; RFD did not differ between early and late weeks for other time epochs. CONCLUSION: Combining MTDS and IMTP can track fatigue in athletes while also monitoring changes in athlete performance, providing a more complete picture of athlete fatigue. Specific RFD epochs (i.e. 100ms, 150ms) detected performance changes and could easily be used by practitioners in an elite sport setting.

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