There are different methods to quantify the load on team sports1, that have shown high levels of correlation between them1,2 such as the method Edwards' Training Load (Edwards' TL) based on heart rate (HR) and the Session-RPE based on perceived exertion that athlete has of the completed session. The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of the Player-load as an indicator of training load in soccer, based on correlations with other methods of quantification used in team sports. Methods Twenty eight semiprofessional male soccer players participated in this study. They was monitored for 44 sessions through GPS devices (MinimaxX v.4.0), HR through thoracic strap (Polar Oy, Finland) and the subjective perception of effort (scale CR-10 modified by Foster3) shown by the players after the completion of training. Results & Discussion The value of Player-load average was 789.2 ±224.9 AU, while the Session-RPE average was 462.4 ±237.9 AU and Edwards' TL was 216.3 ±72.6 AU. Relationship between training load using the Session-RPE method and the Player-load of 210 records made (r = 0.74, p <0.01). This is the first study that analyzes the relationship between Player-load index variables obtained by accelerometry with different methods of quantification used in team sports1. Conclusion The results suggested that Player-load index may be a good indicator to quantify the training load in soccer.
© Copyright 2011 7th World Congress on Science and Football (WCSF), 2011. All rights reserved.