Multiple measures are needed to quantify training loads in professional rugby league

Weaving, Daniel; Jones, Ben; Marshall, Phil; Till, Kevin; Abt, Grant

Abstract

To investigate the effect of training mode (conditioning and skills) on multivariate training load relationships in professional rugby league via principal component analysis. Four measures of training load (internal: heart rate exertion index, session rating of perceived exertion; external: PlayerLoad™, individualised high-speed distance) were collected from 23 professional male rugby league players over the course of one 12-wk preseason period. Training was categorised by mode (skills or conditioning) and then subjected to a principal component analysis. Extraction criteria were set at an eigenvalue of greater than 1. Modes that extracted more than 1 principal component were subject to a Varimax rotation. Skills extracted 1 principal component, explaining 57% of the variance. Conditioning extracted 2 principal components (1st: internal; 2nd: external), explaining 85% of the variance. The presence of multiple training load dimensions (principal components) during conditioning training provides further evidence of the influence of training mode on the ability of individual measures of external or internal training load to capture training variance. Consequently, a combination of internal- and external- training load measures is required during certain training modes.

Citation

Weaving, D., Jones, B., Marshall, P., Till, K., & Abt, G. (2017). Multiple measures are needed to quantify training loads in professional rugby league. International journal of sports medicine, 38(10), 735-740. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-114007

• Acceptance Date: May 31, 2017
• Online Publication Date: Aug 7, 2017
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jun 1, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 27, 2022
• Journal: International journal of sports medicine
• Print ISSN: 0172-4622
• Electronic ISSN: 1439-3964
• Publisher: Thieme Gruppe
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 38
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 735-740
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-114007
• Keywords: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/451870
• Publisher URL: https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0043-114007
• Additional Information: This is a description of an article which has been published in: International journal of sports medicine, v.38, issue 10