Parmley, James

Jones, Ben

Sawczuk, Tom

Weaving, Dan

2022-01-31

<p>This study investigated differences in external training load between microcycle lengths and its variation between microcycles, players, and head coaches. Commonly used external training load variables including total-, high-speed- (5–7 m.s^-1), and sprint-distance (> 7 m.s^-1 ) alongside combined high acceleration and deceleration distance (> 2 m.s^-2). Which were also expressed relative to time were collected using microtechnology within a repeated measures design from 54 male rugby league players from one Super League team over four seasons. 4337 individual observations across ninety-one separate microcycles and six individual microcycle lengths (5 to 10 day) were included. Linear mixed effects models established the differences in training load between microcycle-length and the variation between microcycles, players and head coaches. The largest magnitude of difference in training load was seen when comparing 5-day with 9-day (ES = 0.31 to 0.53) and 10-day (ES = 0.19 to 0.66) microcycles. The greatest number of differences between microcycles were observed in high- (ES = 0.3 to 0.53) and sprint-speed (ES = 0.2 to 0.42) variables. Between-microcycle variability ranged between 11% to 35% dependent on training load variable. Training load also varied between players (5–65%) and head coaches (6–20%) with most variability existing within high-speed (19–43%) and sprinting (19–65%). Overall, differences in training load between microcycle lengths exist, likely due to manipulation of session duration. Furthermore, training load varies between microcycle, player and head coach.</p>

PLoS One, 17(1), p. 1-9

1932-6203

https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/58460

Public Library of Science

Attribution 4.0 International

A four-season study quantifying the weekly external training loads during different between match microcycle lengths in professional rugby league

Journal Article

Publication