These results suggest that BLIs and acceleration might be used as an alternative means to represent the external load during congested match schedules rather than measures related to running speed or distance covered.

The present study examined the effect of a 20-day period of competition on salivary cortisol, mucosal immunity, and upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) in young male soccer players (n = 14). The players were monitored during the main under-19 Brazilian soccer championship, in which 7 matches were played in 20 days. Saliva samples were collected in the morning of each match and analyzed for cortisol and immunoglobulin A (IgA). Signs and symptoms of URTI were assessed across the study and a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was obtained for each match. Compared with match 1, a significant increase in player RPE was observed in matches 4-7 (p < 0.05). Significant (p < 0.05) increases in the reporting of URTI occurred between matches 2 and 3, and 6 and 7, and this was accompanied by significant decreases in salivary IgA levels. Significant (p < 0.05) correlations were also seen between the individual reports of URTI and the decrease in IgA levels in match 2 (r = -0.60) and match 6 (r = -0.65). These results suggest that decrements in mucosal immunity, as measured by salivary IgA concentrations, may lead to a greater incidence of URTI in elite young soccer players. It may be speculated that the physiological and psychological stressors imposed by training and competition in a short timeframe are major contributing factors to these responses. Thus, the monitoring of salivary IgA could provide a useful and noninvasive approach for predicting URTI occurrences in young athletes during short-term competitions, especially if frequent sampling and rapid measurements are made.

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This study investigated the effect of a periodized training program on internal training load (ITL), recovery-stress state, immune-endocrine responses, and physical performance in 19 elite female basketball players. The participants were monitored across a 12-week period before an international championship, which included 2 overloading and tapering phases. The first overloading phase (fourth to sixth week) was followed by a 1-week tapering, and the second overloading phase (eighth to 10th week) was followed by a 2-week tapering. ITL (session rating of perceived exertion method) and recovery-stress state (RESTQ-76 Sport questionnaire) were assessed weekly and bi-weekly, respectively. Pretraining and posttraining assessments included measures of salivary IgA, testosterone and cortisol concentrations, strength, jumping power, running endurance, and agility. Internal training load increased across all weeks from 2 to 11 (p ≤ 0.05). After the first tapering period (week 7), a further increase in ITL was observed during the second overloading phase (p ≤ 0.05). After the second tapering period, a decrease in ITL was detected (p ≤ 0.05). A disturbance in athlete stress-recovery state was noted during the second overloading period (p ≤ 0.05), before returning to baseline level in end of the second tapering period. The training program led to significant improvements in the physical performance parameters evaluated. The salivary measures did not change despite the fluctuations in ITL. In conclusion, a periodized training program evoked changes in ITL in elite female basketball players, which appeared to influence their recovery-stress state. The training plan was effective in preparing participants for competition, as indicated by improvements in recovery-stress state and physical performance after tapering.

It has been proposed that match congestion in elite soccer results in residual fatigue and underperformance in ensuing competition due to insufficient recovery time. In this article, matters relating to match congestion and running performance in elite soccer competition are discussed. We suggest a need to determine the extent to which elite players are, in reality, exposed to periods of match congestion and hence to potential declines in performance. Despite evidence of exercise-induced muscle damage combined with a decline in physical performance up to 72 h post-match, research using time-motion analyses suggests that running performance represented by distances covered is unaffected over periods of match congestion. We recommend analysis of alternative movement variables including accelerations, decelerations and turns that are taxing metabolically and contribute greatly to muscle damage. Moreover, a holistic approach combining subjective ratings with biochemical, hormonal and immunological responses to exercise would be pertinent, especially in players frequently exposed to match congestion. Contemporary practitioners typically implement various postmatch recovery treatments during dense schedules in an attempt to accelerate recovery and ensure that subsequent running performance is not unduly affected. However, empirical evidence to support their efficacy in maintaining running performance is lacking and we recommend controlled intervention studies using match simulations in an attempt to verify their effectiveness. These points are critically addressed using findings from the current scientific literature, while gaps in the current body of knowledge and future directions for research are highlighted. Key PointsThis paper suggests a need for research to determine the extent to which elite senior soccer players are actually exposed to periods of fixture congestion.Modifications in the design of time-motion studies are recommended to establish whether players' match running profiles are in reality compromised during intensified competition periods.Controlled intervention studies using match simulations are also recommended to verify the efficacy of post-match recovery modalities on competitive running performance.

O objetivo principal do treinador esportivo é maximizar o desempenho atlético. A fim de atingir este objetivo, o treinador deve prescrever cargas de treinamento adequadas, com períodos de recuperação apropriados, visando atingir o maior nível de adaptação possível antes da competição. Neste contexto, o monitoramento das cargas de treinamento será extremamente útil, uma vez que, o treinador poderá utilizar as informações obtidas para avaliar a magnitude das cargas implementadas e a partir disto, ajustar, sistematicamente, a periodização das cargas futuras. Atualmente, existe um grande interesse no desenvolvimento de métodos válidos e confiáveis para o monitoramento das cargas de treinamento. Este acompanhamento pode ser realizado de muitas formas, no entanto, um método bastante simples foi proposto, recentemente, por Carl Foster: o método de PSE da sessão. Nesta revisão, nós investigamos o mérito científico do método de PSE da sessão. Os dados disponíveis sugerem que o método proposto por Foster é um instrumento confiável para quantificar a magnitude da carga de treinamento. Em diversos estudos, o comportamento da PSE da sessão apresentou forte relação com outros indicadores internos de intensidade do exercício, como, por exemplo, o consumo de oxigênio, a frequência cardíaca e a concentração de lactato. Entretanto, é importante ressaltar que ainda são necessários estudos adicionais para validar o método de PSE da sessão, sob a perspectiva ecológica, em diferentes esportes. Palavras-chave: Treinamento esportivo. Periodização. Carga externa de treinamento.

The aims of this study were to investigate the dynamics of external (eTL) and internal (iTL) training loads during seasonal periods and examine the effect of a periodized training programme on physical performance in professional basketball players.Repeated measures for 9 players (28±6 yr; 199±8 cm; 101±12 kg) were collected from 45 training sessions, over a 6-wk pre-season phase and a 5-wk in-season phase.Physical tests were conducted at baseline (T1), week 4 (T2) and week 9 (T3).Differences in means are presented as % ± Confident Limits (CL). A very likely difference was observed during in-season compared to pre-season for the eTL variables measured by GPS: mechanical load (13.5±8.8) and peak acceleration .

This study investigated the effects of a congested match schedule (7 matches played in 7 days) on steroid hormone concentrations, mucosal immunity, session rating of perceived exertion (S-RPE) and technical performance in 16 elite youth soccer players (14.8 ± 0.4 yr; 170.6 ± 9.4 cm; 64.9 ± 7 kg).