Associations between Training Load and Well-Being in Elite Beach Soccer Players: A Case Report

Abstract

The current case study aimed to quantify within-subjects correlations between training load and well-being in elite male beach soccer players. Data were obtained over three consecutive days during the preparation camp for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Russia 2021. The session rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE) and external training load metrics using global positioning system (GPS) were recorded. Eleven players reported perceived well-being (sleep quality, fatigue, muscle soreness and stress) using a Likert scale (Hooper Index) before breakfast. Within-subjects correlation coefficients between workload and well-being were calculated. Workload metrics and perceived well-being indices were significantly lower on day three than on days one and two. The Hooper Index presented a very large positive correlation with s-RPE (r = 0.86 [0.67, 0.94], 95% confidence interval, CI), exposure time (r = 0.88 [0.71, 0.95]), total distance (r = 0.83 [0.60, 0.93]), high-speed distance (r = 0.77 [0.50, 0.91]), and number of sprints (r = 0.75 [0.47, 0.90]). Sleep quality presented a moderate to large positive correlation with s-RPE (r = 0.51 [0.11, 0.77]), exposure time (r = 0.50 [0.10, 0.76]), high-speed distance (r = 0.53 [0.15, 0.78]), number of sprints (r = 0.62 [0.28, 0.83]) and total distance (r = 0.41 [0.18, 0.78]). Fatigue presented a large to very large positive correlation with s-RPE (r = 0.85 [0.66, 0.94]), exposure time (r = 0.90 [0.78, 0.96]), total distance (r = 0.86 [0.68, 0.94]), high-speed distance (r = 0.65 [0.31, 0.84]) and number of sprints (r = 0.56 [0.18, 0.79]). Muscle soreness presented a large to very large positive correlation with s-RPE (r = 0.79 [0.56, 0.91]), exposure time (r = 0.83 [0.62, 0.93]), total distance (r = 0.81 [0.59, 0.92]), high-speed distance (r = 0.75 [0.47, 0.89]) and number of sprints (r = 0.59 [0.22, 0.81]). Overall, workload presented a meaningful correlation with perceived well-being indices in elite male beach soccer players during a training camp. These findings suggest that workload metrics and perceived well-being indices can be implemented into the daily routine of an elite beach soccer team, which may assist coaches, sports scientists, and practitioners in better preparing players for beach soccer competitions.

Internal and External Load Profile during Beach Invasion Sports Match-Play by Electronic Performance and Tracking Systems: A Systematic Review

“…From the remaining 32 studies, 12 did not fulfill the inclusion criteria after the revision of the full text due to: (a) specific evaluation tests ( n = 2), (b) match or training demands in non-invasion beach sports ( n = 11), (c) match or training demands in conventional sports (n= 2), (d) the notational analysis of matches ( n = 1), and (e) referees ( n = 1). Finally, 15 studies that evaluate the internal and external workload in beach invasion sports were included in this systematic review: (a) beach handball ( n = 10) [ 15 , 19 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ] and (b) beach soccer ( n = 4) [ 14 , 21 , 36 , 37 ]. None of the studies assessed beach rugby.…”

“…Prior to the quality assessment, an inter-coder reliability analysis was conducted, yielding a value of 0.95, indicating a high level of agreement between observers (95% confidence interval: 0.93 to 0.97). The principal findings of the quality indicators for the chosen studies were as follows: (1) all studies obtained a B score with an average methodological quality of 12.93/16 (80.83%); (2) one study attained 15/16 points [ 15 ]; (3) two studies obtained 14/16 points [ 14 , 30 ], (4) seven studies obtained 13/16 points [ 19 , 21 , 27 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 37 ], (4) five studies achieved 12/16 points [ 28 , 29 , 31 , 35 , 36 ], and (5) no study received a score below 12 points that correspond to the C score (insufficient methodological quality) (see Table 2 for more details).…”

“…In beach sports, the time–motion analysis, microtechnologies, or heart rate monitors have been utilized for workload monitoring purposes [ 14 , 15 ]. The most commonly used technology for external workload quantification is global navigation satellite systems (GNSSs), particularly global positioning systems (GPSs) of the American government [ 16 ].…”

“…Beach sports present specific characteristics compared to indoor modalities like an unstable surface (sand), variable environmental elements (e.g., wind, temperature), reduced gameplay and players that condition decision-making, and physical and physiological demands on athletes [ 8 ]. When compared with indoor modalities, beach sports involved a lower external workload (total distance and at lower speed, changes of speed, and impacts) but produced a higher internal workload (heart rate and rate of perceived exertion) [ 14 , 19 ]. Movements in sand require high levels of strength and speed due to the reduction in the applied energy in each instance of ground-to-ground contact [ 20 ].…”

Responses of soccer players performing repeated maximal efforts in simulated conditions of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022: A holistic approach

“…Changes in the means of raw values as well as their 90% compatibility intervals were assessed in standardised units. For the within-subject change from NC to QSC, the mean change values were divided by the standard deviation (SD) in NC, while for the within-subject change from the 1st repetition or rest status to the 2nd to 10th repetitions or post-test status, the mean change values were divided by the SD in the 1st repetition or in the rest-status [42,43]. The magnitudes of the mean changes were then evaluated qualitatively using the following scale: < 0.2-trivial, 0.2-0.6-small, 0.6-1.2-moderate, 1.2-2.0-large, 2.0-4.0-very large, > 4.0-extremely large.…”