17. MONITORING TRAINING

O-099 Monitoring training loads in top-level professional rugby league

Aaron Coutts and Anita Sirotic
University of Technology, Sydney

OBJECTIVE There is limited research that describes periodisation models for football. Recent studies have shown the session-RPE method (Foster et al., 2001) to be a valid tool for quantifying training load (TL) (Foster et al., 2001; Impel-lizzerri et al , 2004). There have been no studies that have described the training loads undertaken by top level profes-sional rugby league players. The objective of this study was to measure and describe the training periodisation of a top level rugby league club during a season.

METHODS Thirty eight professional players from the same club reported RPE (CR-10) within 30 minutes of finishing each training session. The TL, monotony and strain were determined using previously described methods (Foster et al., 2001). Data was collected for each session during the distinct training phases of the season. ANOVA was used to de-termine any changes in TL during each of the training phases.

RESULTS There were significant differences in the mean weekly TL and strain between the various phases of the season. The mean weekly TL's and strain were greater in the preparation than the competition phases (P<0.01). The match loads during the competition phase did not significantly change. Table 1 shows periodisation of TL's for the various training activities during the training phases.

Table 1. Training loads for the various training activities during the different phases of the season.

* Sig. diff. to General; # Sig. diff. to Specific; †Sig. diff. to Match Practice; ‡ Sig. diff. to Competition

DISCUSSION In this study TL's were greater than those reported for semi-professional rugby league (Coutts et al., 2003) but less than high level endurance athletes (Foster et al., 1997). The present data showed that TL's were reduced during the competition phase to promote recovery between each match. These results show a periodised training struc-ture in top level rugby league and support the use of session-RPE for monitoring TL's in football.

REFERENCES
Foster et al. (2001) JSCR 1, 109-115.
Impellizzeri et al. (2004) MSSE 6, 1042-1047.
Coutts et al. (2003) JSAMS 4, 37.
Foster et al. (1997) Running injuries.W.B. Saunders: 173-188.

KEY WORDS Periodisation, training load, rugby league, session-RPE.

O-100 Physical loading, stress and recovery in a youth soccer tournament

Pekka Luhtanen¹, Ari Nummela¹ and Kimmo Lipponen^2
1KIHU-Research Institute for Olympic Sports, ²Football Association of Finland

OBJECTIVE Different variations in the heart rate beat provide important information which can be used for monitor-ing physiological loading and stress-recovery process. Heart rate and rate variability (HRV) have been used to asses training effect indirectly by using EPOC prediction method (Rusko et al. 2003). HRV indices are field-capable variables to reflect stress-recovery processes (Hynynen et al. 2006). The purpose of the research was to study physical loading of young international level Finnish soccer players (n=10, age 16.9 + 0.2 yrs) in training and match conditions and stress-recovery state between training and match days during a competitive soccer tournament based on the heart rate variabil-ity measurements.

METHODS MaxVO₂, MaxHR, AerT and AnT were determined (Nummela, 2004). Players used Suunto t6 wristop computers in training sessions and 3 matches collecting RR-interval data during 6 days for EPOC and for nocturnal RRI-data collection. ACN system modulation was analyzed with HRV indices by using Firstbeat PRO software (Ket-tunen & Saalasti 2002). The players self-rated their perceived exertion and recovery.

RESULTS Mean MaxVO₂ was 53.5 ml/kg/min, MaxHR 198 bpm, AerT 38.0 ml/kg/min and AnT 46.3 ml/kg/min. EPOC values were in light and heavy training sessions18 and 72 ml/kg (p<0.001), respectively. EPOC values in matches were 213, 150 and 136 ml/kg (p<0.01). Average NHR after each match were 53, 50 and 51 bpm (ns). NHRV stress index was 0.061, 0.053 and 0.064 (ns), and recovery index 98, 103 and 98 (ns).

DISCUSSION The results indicated that maximal oxygen uptake had significant relationship to the perceived exertion in training sessions and matches and the loading of the whole tournament. According to the HRV stress and recovery indices the stress level was at highest after the first and last match. In conclusion, the HRV measurements analysed by the Firstbeat PRO software can be applied to soccer.

REFERENCES
Hynynen E et al. (2006) Int. Congress on Sciene in Nordic Skiing, Vuokatti, Finland, 35.
Kettunen et al.(2002) Procedure for detection of stress state. International patent pending PCT/FI/03/00608.
Nummela, (2004) In: Kuntotestauksen käsikirja. LTS, Helsinki, 51-78.
Rusko et al, (2003) Med. Sci Sports and Exercise 35 Suppl. S183.

KEY WORDS Soccer, physical loading, stress, recovery.

O-101 Physical features of American football players in post and pre-season period

Yasar Salci , Ozlem Oner Coskun, Zekiye Nisa Ozberk, Ahmet Yildirim, Sabire Akin and Feza Korkusuz
Middle East Technical University, Department of Physical Education and Sports and Medical Center, Ankara Turkey

OBJECTIVE American football is a sport that demands high body contact at all levels of the game. Therefore an American football player needs a variety of physical components which are muscular strength, endurance and power. The purpose of this study was to compare the physical condition, in terms the muscular strength, endurance and power, of American football players in post and pre-season period.

METHODS There were eleven American football players in this study. Their mean age, height, mass, and BMD were 21.6 (2.3) years, 1.81 (0.01) m, 89.4 (16.6) kg, 1.303 (0.2) gr/cm2, respectively. Leg strength data were recorded with the isokinetic dynamometer. Lateral trunk flexions, core and back endurances, and vertical jumps were used to analyze the efficiency of the off season period activity of players.

RESULTS Current study findings (Table 1) demonstrated that there were only significant differences between post and pre-season period in lateral trunk flexion and vertical jump performances (p<0.05). In addition, the leg strength meas-ures did not show any statistically significant differences between two periods (p<0.05),

Table 1. Comparison of physical conditioning parameters of American football players in post and pre-season (SE) period.

* p<0.05

DISCUSSION Findings supported that there should be well-designed off season training program to compensate the physiological demands of the beginning of the season.

KEY WORDS American football, physical condition, muscular strength.

O-102 Changes in aerobic fitness in response to a season of professional Australian Rules Football

David Bishop¹, Ben Tarbox², Knut Schneiker¹, Rob Suriano¹, Karen Wallman¹ and Eugene Lim^1
1School of Human Movement and Exercise Science, ²Fremantle Football Club.

OBJECTIVE Australian Rules football (ARF) players have been reported to cover 12.5 ± 1.7 km in a game 1. This suggests that it may be important to improve aerobic fitness to optimise performance. Indeed, enhanced aerobic endur-ance in soccer players has been reported to improve performance by increasing the distance covered and increasing the number of sprints and involvements with the ball during a match 2. While it is relatively easy to improve aerobic fitness during the pre-season, it is not known whether ARF players are able to maintain, or improve, their aerobic fitness dur-ing the competition season. The objective of this study was therefore to examine changes in aerobic fitness in elite ARF players during an entire season.

METHODS Eighteen senior members of a professional ARF club were tested at 3 different time points throughout the season (beginning of pre-season, end of pre-season, end of competitive season). Testing included an incremental tread-mill test for the determination of VO₂max, the lactate threshold (increase in lactate > 1 mmol/L) and running economy at 10 km/h.

RESULTS During the pre-season period, there was a significant increase in the lactate threshold (11.2 ± 1.8 to 13.0 ± 1.1 km/h), running economy (36.8 ± 2.9 to 34.8 ± 2.6 mL/kg/min) and VO₂max (56.0 ± 4.5 to 58.4 ± 3.8 mL/kg/min). At the end of the competition season, there was no significant change in either the lactate threshold (12.4 ± 1.4 km/h; P=0.464) or running economy (34.6 ± 2.6 mL/kg/min).

DISCUSSION This is the first study to document changes in aerobic fitness of elite ARF players over a season. Consis-tent with previous reports for professional youth3 and adult4 soccer players, the aerobic fitness increased over the pre-season. However, despite less time allocated for fitness training as the season progressed, players were able to maintain their aerobic fitness during the competitive season.

KEY WORDS Longitudinal changes, lactate threshold, running economy, VO₂max

O-103 Effects of a hypertrophy and a maximal strength training program on speed, force and power of soccer players

Gregory Bogdanis¹, Aggeliki Papaspyrou¹, Athanasios Souglis², Apostolos Theos¹, Aristomenis² Sotiropoulos and Maria Maridaki^1
1Department of Sports Medicine & Biology of Physical Activity, Faculty of PE and Sports Science, University of Athens, Greece, ²Department of Team Sports, Faculty of PE and Sports Science, University of Athens, Greece.

OBJECTIVE Recent studies, have shown a strong relationship between maximal half-squat strength and movement velocity (Wisloff et al, 2004) and suggested that training using heavy weights (>85% 1 RM) may be preferable for soc-cer players (Hoff and Helgerud, 2002). However, no study has compared this type of training with a program using lower loads commonly used for resistance training in soccer. The purpose of the present study, which had Ethical Committee approval, was to examine the outcomes of two different resistance training programs (half-squat) performed 3 times/week for 6 weeks during the pre-season period. One program was designed to promote muscle hypertrophy (H, 4 sets x 12 reps, with 70% 1RM) and the other aimed to increase maximal strength (S, 4 sets x 5 reps, with 90% 1RM).

METHODS Eighteen male soccer players were divided in two equal groups. The force-velocity characteristics [maxi-mal force at zero pedal speed (Fo) and maximal pedal speed (Vo)] of each player were determined using short maximal sprints on a Monark cycle ergometer against different loads (Arsac et al. 1996). Maximal half squat strength and field-test performance was measured before and after training.

RESULTS Maximal squat strength increased significantly more in the S compared to the H group (9.9±1.2% and 17.3±1.9%). Lean leg volume was increased only in the H group (by 4.3±0.8%), but was unchanged in the S group. Fo was increased only in the S group. Improvement in squat strength was correlated with improvement in 10 m sprint time (r=0.67 P<0.01) and vertical jump (r=0.63 P<0.01).

Table 1. Changes in force-velocity parameters, half-squat strength and field test performance before (BT) and after training (AT).

* P<0.05, ** P<0.01 from before training

DISCUSSION The increase in maximal strength in the S group, without an increase in lean leg volume would imply that strength was increased due to neural adaptations. Expressing strength gain per unit lean leg volume resulted in a 3 to 5-fold greater increase in strength in the S compared to the H group. These results suggest that resistance training using high loads may be preferable for soccer training.

REFERENCES
Arsac et al., (1996) European Journal of Applied Physiology 74, 100-106.
Hoff et al. (2004) Journal of Sports Medicine 34, 165-180.
Wisloff et al. (2004) British Journal of Sports Medicine 38, 285-288.

KEY WORDS Force-velocity relationship, resistance training, field tests, cycle ergometer.

O-104 Effect of additional in-season aerobic high-intensity drills on physical fitness of elite football players

Jack Majgaard Jensen, Morten Bredsgaard Randers, Peter Krustrup and Jens Bangsbo
Institute of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Department of Human Physiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark

OBJECTIVE Recent studies have shown that match-specific physical fitness decreases towards the end of the season for a large number of elite football players (Krustrup et al., 2003). This may be related to fewer intense training sessions during the competitive season, due to a need for recovery after matches and focus on tactical training. Although positive effects of additional high-intensity off-season drills and in-season dribbling have been observed for junior players (McMillan et al., 2005; Impellizzeri et al., 2006), it is still to be examined whether an extra 30-min per week with small-sided interval games would improve performance of soccer-related intermittent running and repeated sprint abil-ity of elite players during the competitive period.

METHODS Sixteen elite soccer players carried out additional aerobic high intensity training once a week (0.9±0.1) for 12 weeks. Each session lasted 30 min and consisted of small-sided games, organized as interval training with 2-4 min work intervals separated by 1-2 min of rest. Several physiological tests (Yo-Yo IR2 test, incremental treadmill VO₂max test, repeated 30-m sprint test) were performed before and after the intervention period.

RESULTS After the intervention period, performance of the Yo-Yo IR2 test was improved by 15% (980±42 vs. 851±35 m, n=15; P<0.001) and VO₂max was improved by 5% (62.2±1.3 vs. 59.1±0.9 ml O2/kg/min, n=12; P<0.05). The best 30-m sprint time was unaltered after 12 wks (4.22±0.03 and 4.24±0.03 s; P=0.54), whereas fatigue time in a repeated sprint test was lowered (0.19±0.02 vs. 0.24±0.02 s, n=14; P<0.05).

DISCUSSION Additional high intensity 30-min drills performed once a week markedly improved aerobic power, an-aerobic capacity and football-specific intermittent exercise performance of elite football players during the competitive season.

REFERENCES
Krustrup et al. (2003) Med Sci Sports Exerc 35, 697-705.
McMillan et al (2005) Br J Sports Med 39, 273-277.
Impellizzeri et al. (2006) Int J Sports Med 27, 483-492.

KEY WORDS Intense intermittent-exercise training, VO₂max, Yo-Yo Intermittent recovery level 2 test.