Identifying Contextual Influences on Training Load: An Example in Professional Rugby Union. Issue 2 (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dalton-Barron, Nicholas E.; McLaren, Shaun J.; Black, Christopher J.; Gray, Michael; Jones, Ben; Roe, Gregory
• Is Part Of: Journal of strength and conditioning research. Volume 35:Issue 2(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: training load -- RPE -- mixed model -- monitoring -- team-sports; Physical education and training -- Periodicals; Weight training -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Physical fitness -- Periodicals; 613.7
• DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002706
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1064-8011

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Dalton-Barron, NE, McLaren, SJ, Black, CJ, Gray, M, Jones, B, and Roe, G. Identifying contextual influences on training load: an example in professional rugby union. J Strength Cond Res 35(2): 503–511, 2021—We aimed to investigate the contextual factors influencing training load (TL), as determined by session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE-TL), accumulated within a match-to-match microcycle in rugby union players. Session rating of perceived exertion-TL data were collected daily from 35 professional rugby union players from the same team in the English Championship over the course of an in-season period. Players were split by positional groups (backs and forwards) and sRPE-TL data were categorized as: field-based on-feet sRPE-TL (sRPEField-TL ), gym-based sRPE-TL (sRPEGym-TL ), and the total summation of both (sRPETotal-TL ). Three 2-level linear mixed models were built for each dependent variable in each positional group, with magnitude-based inferences applied. Long between-match recovery cycles (≥7 days) resulted in very likely to almost certainly small to moderate increases in sRPE-TL for all modalities and positions (fixed effect [mean range] = 28.5%–42.0%), apart from sRPEField-TL for forwards. For backs, there was a very likely small decrease in sRPEField-TL as the season progressed (−16.7% per trimester). Losing the last league match was associated with very likely and almost certainly small decreases in sRPETotal-TL and sRPEGym-TL for backs (−20.7% and −36.4%, respectively). Losing the last match in any competition resulted in a very likely small increase in sRPEField-TL (21.2%) and a possibly small decrease sRPEGym-TL (−18.5%) for backs—with a likely smaller sRPEGym-TL for forwards (−33.4%). The strength of the upcoming opposition had no effect on sRPE-TL. Our findings highlight some of the multifactorial contextual factors that must be considered when planning and evaluating training microcycles.