Training Load Quantification in Women’s Elite Football: A Season-Long Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate (1) if there are differences in training load and intensity between the different training days within a microcycle and (2) if training load and intensity within the different training days are stable over the course of a season. Data were collected over a full season from a team in the women’s premier division in Norway. External load (total distance, high-speed-running distance, sprint distance, and the combined number of accelerations and decelerations [ACCDEC]) was assessed using a 10-Hz GPS system with a built-in accelerometer. Internal load was assessed through session rating of perceived exertion, which was multiplied with session duration (session rating of perceived exertion-load). Training days were classified in relation to their proximity to the upcoming match day (MD): MD − 4, MD − 3, MD − 2, and MD − 1. Contents on these days were standardized according to a weekly periodization model followed by the coaching staff. Differences between training days were analyzed using a linear mixed-effects model. All training days were significantly different from each other across multiple variables. ACCDEC values were highest on MD − 4 (147.5 [13.0] ACCDEC count), and all distance variables were highest on MD − 3. All measures of training load were significantly reduced from MD − 3 to MD − 2 (effect size [ES] = 1.0–4.1) and from MD − 2 to MD − 1 (ES = 1.6-4.3). A significant negative effect across the season was observed for session rating of perceived exertion-load and ACCDEC (ES = 0.8–2.1). These results provide evidence that elite female football teams can be successful in differentiating training load between training days when implementing a weekly periodization approach.