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Training intensity distribution of young elite soccer players

Distribuição da intensidade de treinamento em jovens jogadores de futebol

Abstract

The current study described the training load and intensity distribution of 30 elite Under 20 soccer players (17.9 ± 0.6 years, 180.3 ± 5.7 cm, 73.7 ± 8.8kg) from a 3-time FIFA Club World Cup champion. Session-rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE), internal training load (ITL) and monotony were recorded across 40 training sessions. Mixed-effects modeling was used for data analysis. The athletes performed 33.0 ± 6.9 out of 40 planned training sessions. Most common reasons for absence from training included sickness or minor injuries. Overall, these training sessions summed 2928.7 ± 627.6 minutes. Athletes performed significantly more training sessions at low and moderate intensity zones than at high-intensity zone (p <0.0001). The current data indicate that elite young soccer players perform their training sessions predominantly at the low-intensity zone. Training monitoring is an important aspect of the sport training process evolution. In fact, previous evidence has already shown that an appropriate intensity distribution prevents maladaptation from sports training and may optimize athletic performance. Therefore, coaches should implement strategies to monitor training loads during pre-season and competitive periods.

Key words
Soccer; Intensity Distribution; Training Loads; Mixed Modelling

Resumo

O presente estudo descreveu a carga de treinamento e a distribuição de intensidade de 30 jogadores de elite de futebol sub 20 (17,9 ± 0,6 anos, 180,3 ± 5,7 cm, 73,7 ± 8,8 kg) de um clube de elite do estado de São Paulo. Durante 40 sessões de treinamento, a percepção subjetiva de esforço, bem como a carga interna de treinamento e a monotonia foram registradas. Os dados foram analisados por modelagem linear mista. Os atletas realizaram 33,0 ± 6,9 das 40 sessões de treinamento planejadas. As razões mais comuns para a ausência nas sessões de treinamento incluíram doenças ou lesões leves. De forma geral, essas sessões somaram 2928,7 ± 627,6 minutos. Os atletas realizaram significativamente mais sessões de treinamento em zonas de baixa e moderada intensidade comparado com a zona de alta intensidade (p <0,0001). Os dados do presente estudo indicam que os jovens jogadores de elite realizam suas sessões de treinamento predominantemente na zona de baixa intensidade. O monitoramento do treinamento colabora para a evolução do processo de treinamento esportivo. De fato, evidências anteriores já mostraram que a distribuição de intensidade apropriada impede a mal adaptação ao treinamento esportivo e pode otimizar o desempenho atlético. Portanto, treinadores devem implementar estratégias para monitorar as cargas de treinamento durante os períodos de pré-temporada e de competição.

Palavras-chave
Futebol; Distribuição da intensidade; Carga de treinamento; Modelagem mista

INTRODUCTION

Periodization is a strategy to manipulate training loads (TL) to ensure an appropriate balance between training stress and recovery. Consequently, the adaptive response and gains in athletes’ performance are optimized, whilst avoiding the adverse outcomes of undesirable cumulative stress11 Issurin V. Block periodization versus traditional training theory: A review. J Sports Med Phys Fitness 2008;48(1):65-75.

2 Rowbottom DG. Periodization of training. In: Garret WE, Kirkendall DT, editors. Exercise and Sport Science. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2000. p. 499-514.
-33 Turner A. The science and practice of periodization: a brief review. Strength Cond J 2011;33(1):34-46.. One essential aspect of periodization is the distribution of training intensity. The interest regarding the training intensity distribution has received substantial attention from sports scientists, particularly, in the last decade44 Moreira A, Bilsborough JC, Sullivan CJ, Ciancosi M, Aoki MS, Coutts AJ. The Training Periodization of Professional Australian Football Players During an Entire AFL Season. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2015;10(5):566-71.

5 Seiler S. What is best practice for training intensity and duration distribution in endurance athletes? Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2010;5(3):276-91.
-66 Seiler S, Kjerland GO. Quantifying training intensity distribution in elite endurance athletes: Is there evidence for an optimal distribution? Scand J Med Sci Sports 2006;16(1):49-56.. For example, Seiler et al.66 Seiler S, Kjerland GO. Quantifying training intensity distribution in elite endurance athletes: Is there evidence for an optimal distribution? Scand J Med Sci Sports 2006;16(1):49-56. have proposed the use of 3 intensity zones, which are mainly determined based on the ventilatory thresholds. The proposed training intensity zones were therefore divided into zone 1 (Z1) (low intensity – below the aerobic threshold), zone 2 (Z2) (intermediate zone – between the aerobic and the respiratory compensation threshold) and zone 3 (Z3) (high-intensity zone – above the respiratory compensation threshold).

Adopting the proposed intensity zones division, Seiler et al.66 Seiler S, Kjerland GO. Quantifying training intensity distribution in elite endurance athletes: Is there evidence for an optimal distribution? Scand J Med Sci Sports 2006;16(1):49-56. reported that young (17-18 years) cross-country skiers rated ~76, 6 and 18% of their session-ratings of perceived exertion (s-RPE) in Z1, Z2 and Z3, respectively, over 32 consecutive days of training. This pattern was also observed for rowers77 Steinacker JM, Lormes W, Lehmann M, Altenburg D. Training of rowers before world championships. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998;30(7):1158-63.,88 Fiskerstrand Å, Seiler S. Training and performance characteristics among Norwegian international rowers 1970–2001. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2004;14(5):303-10., adult cross-country skiers99 Seiler S. What is best practice for training intensity and duration distribution in endurance athletes? Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2010;5(3):276-91., and runners1010 Esteve-Lanao J, Juan AF, Earnest CP, Foster C, Lucia A. How do endurance runners actually train? Relationship with competition performance. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2005;37(3):496-504., indicating that endurance athletes tend to present a polarized training intensity distribution with training sessions occurring mostly in the low-intensity zone, followed by high-intensity zone, and with less work done at the intermediate zone.

Endurance athletes clearly present a polarized training intensity distribution. In contrast, team sports athletes have shown a different intensity distribution profile44 Moreira A, Bilsborough JC, Sullivan CJ, Ciancosi M, Aoki MS, Coutts AJ. The Training Periodization of Professional Australian Football Players During an Entire AFL Season. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2015;10(5):566-71.,1111 Algrøy EA, Hetlelid KJ, Seiler S, Pedersen JI. Quantifying training intensity distribution in a group of Norwegian professional soccer players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2011;6(1):70-81.,1212 Lovell TWJ, Sirotic AC, Impellizzeri FM, Coutts AJ. Factors affecting perception of effort (session rating of perceived exertion) during rugby league training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2013;8(1):270-6.. For instance, Algrøy et al.1111 Algrøy EA, Hetlelid KJ, Seiler S, Pedersen JI. Quantifying training intensity distribution in a group of Norwegian professional soccer players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2011;6(1):70-81. quantified the daily training intensity distribution in a group of 15 male Norwegian professional soccer players based on 3 different methods of training quantification (time in zone, session goals, and session RPE). The results of this study indicated that the training intensity of professional soccer players presents an even distribution between the low, moderate and high-intensity zones. In addition, these findings suggest that session-RPE is an appropriate and useful method to quantify and assess training intensity distribution.

Using the session-RPE method to delimit intensity zones, Moreira et al.44 Moreira A, Bilsborough JC, Sullivan CJ, Ciancosi M, Aoki MS, Coutts AJ. The Training Periodization of Professional Australian Football Players During an Entire AFL Season. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2015;10(5):566-71. demonstrated that professional Australian football players trained mostly at moderate or high-intensity zones. Additionally, Lovell et al.1212 Lovell TWJ, Sirotic AC, Impellizzeri FM, Coutts AJ. Factors affecting perception of effort (session rating of perceived exertion) during rugby league training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2013;8(1):270-6. reported similar intensity distribution based on session-RPE cut-off points, for Rugby League players. These findings also provide evidence that session-RPE is a valuable global indicator of training load and intensity for team sports athletes.

The data from the studies above suggest a distinct training intensity distribution pattern for team sport and endurance adult athletes. However, it is paramount to highlight that the training intensity distribution of young team sports athletes suggest distinctly different training intensity distribution patterns and has yet to be investigated. This is particularly important as young athletes perform intensive training schedules1313 Freitas CG, Aoki MS, Franciscon CA, Arruda AFS, Carling C, Moreira A. Psychophysiological responses to overloading and tapering phases in elite young soccer players. Pediatr Exerc Sci 2014;26(2):195-202. and elite young soccer players frequently compete in matches separated by short time intervals on the top of their usual training routines1414 Mortatti AL, Moreira A, Aoki MS, Crewther BT, Castagna C, de Arruda AFS, et al. Effect of competition on salivary cortisol, immunoglobulin A, and upper respiratory tract infections in elite young soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 2012;26(5):1396-401.. Nevertheless, little is known regarding how these young soccer players distribute their training intensity, particularly during a preparation period that precedes important competitions. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the training intensity distribution and the training load of elite young soccer players during a preparatory period for the major competition of the year, using the session-RPE method to determine cut-off points. It was hypothesized that young athletes spend most of their training at lower intensity zones, due to the characteristics of this particular training period of the study.

METHOD

Participants

Thirty young elite Under 20 soccer players (17.9 ± 0.6 yr, 180.3 ± 5.7 cm, 73.7 ± 8.8 kg) from an elite soccer club from São Paulo participated in the study. After ethics approval by the local University Research Ethics Committee (School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, 07/2012), the experimental protocols were explained in detail to the participants and their parents. Written informed consent was obtained from each participant and their respective parents or guardians.

Experimental design

The study was conducted during a 5-week training period that preceded the start of the main soccer championship for this age group. The study started after a full week of recovery. The athletes spent the 5 weeks of the study in a controlled environment (team’s training centre). Training characteristics are thoroughly described in Table 1. The session-ratings of perceived exertion (s-RPE) of 40 sessions were recorded, according to a method previously described1515 Foster C, Florhaug JA, Franklin J, Gottschall L, Hrovatin LA, Parker S, et al. A new approach to monitoring exercise training. J Strength Cond Res 2001;15(1):109-15.. The s-RPE method describes the internal training load that the athletes experiment when performing the actual training activities and is considered as a global rating of training stress1313 Freitas CG, Aoki MS, Franciscon CA, Arruda AFS, Carling C, Moreira A. Psychophysiological responses to overloading and tapering phases in elite young soccer players. Pediatr Exerc Sci 2014;26(2):195-202.,1616 Impellizzeri FM, Rampini E, Coutts AJ, Sassi A, Marcora SM. Use of RPE-based training load in soccer. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2004;36(6):1042-7.. The method allows for calculation of indices that include the internal training load (ITL), determined as the product of the s-RPE and session duration (in minutes), training monotony represents the ratio between the average weekly ITL and the weekly ITL standard deviation. Total ITL was the sum of the week ITL. The training sessions were divided into training zones according to the Borg CR-10 RPE scale1717 Borg G. Borg's perceived exertion and pain scales. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers; 1998.. The cut-off points were as follows: low, ≤4 AU; moderate, above 4 and below 7; and high ≥7, according to zones adopted by others44 Moreira A, Bilsborough JC, Sullivan CJ, Ciancosi M, Aoki MS, Coutts AJ. The Training Periodization of Professional Australian Football Players During an Entire AFL Season. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2015;10(5):566-71.,66 Seiler S, Kjerland GO. Quantifying training intensity distribution in elite endurance athletes: Is there evidence for an optimal distribution? Scand J Med Sci Sports 2006;16(1):49-56.,1212 Lovell TWJ, Sirotic AC, Impellizzeri FM, Coutts AJ. Factors affecting perception of effort (session rating of perceived exertion) during rugby league training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2013;8(1):270-6..

Table 1
Mean ±SD of the time spent (minutes) in each of the training types by week.

The volume of the different training content is described on table 1. Physical tests sessions were intermittent beep test. These were performed to determine the maximal aerobic speed of the players. Core and strength sessions aimed to develop the strength of the main core muscles and general strength development, including squats, leg-press, trunk and arms. Recovery sessions were performed as soft tissue manipulation and stretching. Technique and tactics and speed, technique training sessions were all performed in the pitch, with the ball, in order to develop specific soccer skills, as well as the physical fitness of the players. All the training sessions were routine to the team, and the researchers had no input on that part.

Statistical analyses

Data are presented as mean ± SD unless stated otherwise. Data were log-transformed to reduce non-uniformity of error when they violated the assumption of normality. A mixed-effects model was used to determine the individual responses of the dependent variables collected from the athletes. The model used the participants as random effect whereas the fixed effects were session number, weeks of training and number of sessions and time spent within training zone. The t and chi-square statistics from the linear mixed modeling were converted into r-values and interpreted as the effect size (ES)1818 Cooper HM, Hedges LV. The Handbook of research synthesis. New York: Russel Sage Foundation; 1994.. The interpretation of ES was based on thresholds of 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.9 and 1 as trivial, small, moderate, large, very large, nearly perfect and perfect, respectively. Confidence intervals (90%) were calculated for the estimates generated by the model. Pair wise t-test with Bonferroni correction was used as post hoc procedure for the number of sessions and time spent in intensity zone. All statistical procedures were performed using the R software and the multilevel package for R. Level of significance adopted was p<0.05.

RESULTS

Training intensity distribution (by training zone)

The athletes performed 33.0 ± 6.9 out of 40 planned training sessions. Most common reasons for absence from training included sickness or minor injuries. Overall, these sessions summed 2928.7 ± 627.6 minutes of training. Athletes performed significantly more training sessions at low and moderate intensity zones than at high intensity zone (p <0.0001) (Figure 1). Similarly, the time spent in zone was also greater for Z1 and Z2 intensity zones, compared to the (Z3)(p <0.0001). The number of training sessions performed within each training intensity zone showed a significant linear trend over time - coefficient of estimate: -1.22 (90% CI -1.38 to -1.04) - t(59) = -12.2, p<0.0001, ES = 0.85 very large. The data presented a significantly intra-individual variation between training zones, as well as number of sessions performed in Z1 - χ2(6) = 13.3, p=0.0013, ES = 0.36 moderate, SDintercept = 0.09 (90% CI 0.01 to 0.63), SDslope = 0.40 (90% CI 0.26 to 0.59). The time spent in each training zone also presented a significant linear trend – coefficient of estimate -1.79 (90% CI -2.34 to -1.24), t(41) = -5.48, p < 0.001, ES = 0.65 large. The time spent in each training zone presented a significant intra-individual variation as well as time spent in Z1 - χ2(6) = 17.7, p=0.0004, ES = 0.46 moderate, SDintercept = 0.34 (90% CI 0.09 to 1.22), SDslope = 1.23 (90% CI 0.84 to 1.80).

Figure 1
Percentage of the number of training sessions performed in each training intensity zone. § - Significantly higher than Z2 and Z3 – p < 0.01;

Internal Training Load (ITL) over time (by session)

The session ITL showed a significant non-linear (quadratic) trend over time – t(958) = -2.0, p=0.04, ES = 0.06 trivial. The data presented a significantly better adjustment in the quadratic model, compared to the linear model - χ2(1) = 4.1, p=0.04, ES = 0.06 trivial. The random part of the model showed a significant variation of the training loads for the athletes χ2(3) = 47.7, p<0.0001, ES = 0.2 small, SDintercept = 0.13 (90% CI 0.11 to 0.19), SDslope = 0.0001 (90% CI 0.0000 to 43.0341).

Weekly ITL over time (by week) and monotony

The weekly ITL showed a significant non-linear (quadratic) trend over time – t(1086) = -12.6, p<0.0001, ES = 0.35 moderate (Figure 3).Players presented a significant individual response variation (slope) for weekly ITL over time - χ2(1) = 63.3, p<0.0001, ES = 0.24 small.

Figure 3
Mean ± SD of weekly ITL (columns, left y-axis), monotony (solid line, right y-axis) over the 5 weeks of training. AU. – Arbitrary units; W – week number.

Monotony showed a non-significant variation over time, with 1.9 ± 0.5, 2.6 ± 0.6, 1.7 ± 0.3, 2.2 ± 0.6, and 1.9 ± 0.8 A.U. from week 1 to 5, respectively (Figure 3). However, the between athlete variation was significant - χ2(6) = 218.8, p<0.0001, ES = 0.40 moderate, SDintercept = 0.45 (90% CI 0.33 to 0.61), SDslope = 0.13 (90% CI 0.09 to 0.16).

Figure 2
Mean ± SD of the session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) (black-filled dots, SD as dashed lines – panel A) and ITL (columns, SD as black lines - panel B) over the 40 training sessions performed by the athletes.

DISCUSSION

This study described the training intensity distribution and the ITL of young elite soccer players during a 5-week training period preceding an official competition. The main findings of this study were that the players trained mostly at the low-intensity zone, followed by the intermediate and high-intensity training zones. Moreover, the ITL presented a significant quadratic response over time. In addition, player’s response to training was significantly heterogeneous. Additionally, the weekly ITL showed a significant quadratic trend. Finally, despite a non-significant variation over time, training monotony presented a significant variation between players. These findings are novel and may aid coaches and researchers to understand how elite young soccer players train, particularly during a period preceding the major competition of the year. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to describe the training intensity distribution and the ITL response of elite young soccer players during a pre-competitive mesocycle (5 weeks of training). Despite previous investigations have investigated these variables in adult team sports players44 Moreira A, Bilsborough JC, Sullivan CJ, Ciancosi M, Aoki MS, Coutts AJ. The Training Periodization of Professional Australian Football Players During an Entire AFL Season. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2015;10(5):566-71.,1111 Algrøy EA, Hetlelid KJ, Seiler S, Pedersen JI. Quantifying training intensity distribution in a group of Norwegian professional soccer players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2011;6(1):70-81.,1212 Lovell TWJ, Sirotic AC, Impellizzeri FM, Coutts AJ. Factors affecting perception of effort (session rating of perceived exertion) during rugby league training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2013;8(1):270-6., little information about the distribution pattern of elite young soccer players is available.

Interestingly, the ~17 years old players in the present study performed approximately 70 % of their training sessions as low-intensity (Z1 whereas the intensity in Z2 and Z3 represented ~25 and 15% of total training, respectively. Likewise, Castagna et al.1919 Castagna C, Impellizzeri FM, Chaouachi A, Bordon C, Manzi V. Effect of training intensity distribution on aerobic fitness variables in elite soccer players: A case study. J Strength Cond Res 2011;25(1):66-71. reported a 73, 19, 8% intensity distribution for Z1, Z2,and Z3, respectively in adult soccer players (25 ±4 years). Nonetheless, it is important to highlight that Castagna et al.1919 Castagna C, Impellizzeri FM, Chaouachi A, Bordon C, Manzi V. Effect of training intensity distribution on aerobic fitness variables in elite soccer players: A case study. J Strength Cond Res 2011;25(1):66-71. used a heart rate-based method to quantify the training intensity distribution. Different monitoring methods provide distinct information on the stress imposed on individuals. Therefore, caution is needed for analyzing and comparing these investigations. On the other hand, Algrøy et al.1111 Algrøy EA, Hetlelid KJ, Seiler S, Pedersen JI. Quantifying training intensity distribution in a group of Norwegian professional soccer players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2011;6(1):70-81. reported that elite Norwegian soccer players (24 ± 5 years) displayed a balanced training intensity distribution. The values of 35, 38 and 27% were found during pre-season, and 37, 24 and 38% for the in-season for Z1, Z2 and Z3, respectively. These contrasting results may reflect training experience and training culture since each investigation was conducted in different countries. Moreover, this study assessed a real, non-simulated scenario, which also may help to explain this particular distribution. Since all training sessions were computed for analysis, recovery sessions, as well as training sessions with several pauses may have inflated the training completed at low (Z1) intensity zone.

A more even training intensity distribution was also found in Australian Football players (AF)44 Moreira A, Bilsborough JC, Sullivan CJ, Ciancosi M, Aoki MS, Coutts AJ. The Training Periodization of Professional Australian Football Players During an Entire AFL Season. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2015;10(5):566-71.. The results of this study suggested that AF players (22.9 ±3.0 years) distributed the training intensity similar to the soccer players investigated by Algrøy et al.1111 Algrøy EA, Hetlelid KJ, Seiler S, Pedersen JI. Quantifying training intensity distribution in a group of Norwegian professional soccer players. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2011;6(1):70-81.. However, Moreira et al.1212 Lovell TWJ, Sirotic AC, Impellizzeri FM, Coutts AJ. Factors affecting perception of effort (session rating of perceived exertion) during rugby league training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2013;8(1):270-6. found a higher percentage of training sessions performed at the moderate intensity. It appears that AF players undertake a great number of training sessions at moderate and high-intensity compared with soccer players. In addition, marginally differences were also demonstrated between pre-season and in-season. The authors reported that ~27, 55 and 18% of the training sessions were performed in low, moderate, and high-intensity zones, during pre-season, compared to in-season and values of 27, 50 and 23%, respectively, were shown for the in-season phase, suggesting a greater number of sessions performed at high-intensity during the in-season.

The session-RPE is a simple method to assess and quantify training load and training intensity in team sports athletes. Also, it has been considered as a better method to be used in these types of sports, compared to the HR-based methods1212 Lovell TWJ, Sirotic AC, Impellizzeri FM, Coutts AJ. Factors affecting perception of effort (session rating of perceived exertion) during rugby league training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2013;8(1):270-6.,1919 Castagna C, Impellizzeri FM, Chaouachi A, Bordon C, Manzi V. Effect of training intensity distribution on aerobic fitness variables in elite soccer players: A case study. J Strength Cond Res 2011;25(1):66-71.. In addition, Lovell et al.1212 Lovell TWJ, Sirotic AC, Impellizzeri FM, Coutts AJ. Factors affecting perception of effort (session rating of perceived exertion) during rugby league training. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2013;8(1):270-6. proposed that different methods for monitoring training provide different information on the actual stimulus applied to players during training sessions. For instance, skills sessions present higher HR zones whereas performing wrestling activities session-RPE may be higher. Taken together, it seems that the method for quantifying training play an important role to provide accurate information to coaches and sports scientists.

Moreover, as a novel finding of the present study, it could be inferred that professional team sports players perform more centralized, higher intensity training, whilst younger soccer players accomplish more training sessions at the low-intensity zone. It could be speculated that youth athletes might benefit from using such distribution focused on the low-intensity zone, as they still need to develop their general fitness, to build the “base” for more intensive and sport-specific training, while avoiding symptoms of non-functional overreaching, or even reducing the risk for burnout and dropout.

Training periodization requires that ITL vary to allow optimized training-induced adaptations2020 Coffey VG, Hawley JA. The molecular bases of training adaptation. Sports Med 2007;37(9):737-63.,2121 Issurin VB. New horizons for the methodology and physiology of training periodization. Sports Med 2010;40(3):189-206.. Therefore, the quadratic trend in the ITL was expected since week 1 was a lighter week, followed by a larger increment in the following weeks (week 2 and week 3) (Figure 3). The elevation in the weekly ITL was due to an increase in training volume (Figure 3). In fact, the total ITL was expected to rise, along with training volume increment2222 Coutts AJ, Reaburn P, Piva TJ, Rowsell GJ. Monitoring for overreaching in rugby league players. Eur J Appl Physiol 2007;99(3):313-24.. In addition, the ITL response of these players was significantly heterogeneous. This result was rather surprising since all the athletes spend most of their time in the same environment, sharing accommodations, food and undertaken similar training stimulus. Nevertheless, this finding corroborates others with both young and adult athletes suggesting that individuals performing the same external TL may present distinct ITL response1919 Castagna C, Impellizzeri FM, Chaouachi A, Bordon C, Manzi V. Effect of training intensity distribution on aerobic fitness variables in elite soccer players: A case study. J Strength Cond Res 2011;25(1):66-71.,2323 Brink MS, Nederhof E, Visscher C, Schmikli SL, Lemmink KAPM. Monitoring load, recovery, and performance in young elite soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 2010;24(3):597-603.. As total ITL derives from the individual ITL, it was expected that these 2 variables present related outcomes. Indeed, total ITL also showed a significant quadratic trend with smaller ITL in week 1, followed by an increment from the week 2 onwards (Figure 3). Collectively, these results support even further the individualization of the TL to increase the training-induced response, as well as highlight the importance of monitoring the dose-response relationship in order to optimize training.

Training monotony represents the variation of the ITL over a specific period2424 Foster C. Monitoring training in athletes with reference to overtraining syndrome. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998;30(7):1164-8.. The training-induced adaptation relies on few aspects including the stress:recovery ratio2323 Brink MS, Nederhof E, Visscher C, Schmikli SL, Lemmink KAPM. Monitoring load, recovery, and performance in young elite soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 2010;24(3):597-603.,2424 Foster C. Monitoring training in athletes with reference to overtraining syndrome. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998;30(7):1164-8.. Therefore, a proper training design should take into account not only the amount of training but also an appropriate balance between training and rest. Coaches deliberately organize their training loads to maintain the monotony level low, particularly leading into the competition in order to avoid maladaptive outcomes2424 Foster C. Monitoring training in athletes with reference to overtraining syndrome. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998;30(7):1164-8.. The current findings corroborate this premise since the period of this study corresponded to the last 5 weeks leading into the main competition of the year for those athletes. Similarly, Suzuki et al.2525 Suzuki S, Sato T, Maeda A, Takahashi Y. Program Design Based on A Mathematical Model Using Rating of Perceived Exertion for An Elite Japanese Sprinter: A case Study. The J Strength Cond Res 2006;20(1):36-42. showed that a training program of a Japanese sprinter revealed a low monotony index when the primary competition was close. As a result, training presented an increased degree of variation and reduced stress from training. Moreover, Foster2424 Foster C. Monitoring training in athletes with reference to overtraining syndrome. Med Sci Sports Exerc 1998;30(7):1164-8. and Suzuki et al.2626 Suzuki S, Sato T, Takahashi Y. Diagnosis of training program for a Japanese rower by using the index of monotony. Can J Appl Physiol 2003;28:105-6. presented evidence that enhanced performance relates to a low degree of monotony. Even though these studies were conducted in different sports with distinct demands, it appears that training variation is key to maintaining positive adaptations through the training cycle.

Players from the present study displayed significant between-subject variation for the monotony index, suggesting that players performing a similar training program not only present individualized ITL response but also show individualized training variation. Possible explanations may relate to fitness level and/or the different physical demands of each playing position2727 Stolen T, Chamari K, Castagna C, Wisloff U. Physiology of Soccer: An update. Sports Med 2005;35(6):501-36.. Taken collectively, these findings support the training individualization as an important aspect of training programming in young elite soccer players.

This study was conducted with soccer players that represent the highest level of athletes for this age group. This may limit the generalization and the application of this data may be done taking these particular characteristics into account. However, coaches and sport scientists could use these findings as a reference to guide the preparation of other developing athletes.

CONCLUSION

Elite young soccer players from the same club perform their training sessions predominantly in the low-intensity zone. In addition, these players present significant inter-subject variability in the ITL responses and monotony over time.

How to cite this article

  • Borges TO, Moreira A, Thiengo CR, Medrado RGSD, Titton A, Lima MR, Marins AN, Aoki MS. Training intensity distribution of young elite soccer players. Rev Bras Cineantropom Desempenho Hum 2019, 21:e56955. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5007/1980-0037.2019v21e56955

COMPLIANCE WITH ETHICAL STANDARDS

  • Funding
    The authors also would like to thank funding provided by FAPESP [Grant: 2012/20309-3].
  • Ethical approval
    Ethical approval was obtained from the local Human Research Ethics Committee – School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, protocol (no. 07/2012) was written in accordance with the standards set by the Declaration of Helsinki.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    30 May 2019
  • Date of issue
    2019

History

  • Received
    10 May 2018
  • Accepted
    13 Dec 2018
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