Weekly Training Load across a Standard Microcycle in a Sub-Elite Youth Football Academy: A Comparison between Starters and Non-Starters

José E. Teixeira (), Luís Branquinho, Ricardo Ferraz, Miguel Leal, António J. Silva, Tiago M. Barbosa, António M. Monteiro and Pedro Forte
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José E. Teixeira: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Luís Branquinho: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Ricardo Ferraz: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Miguel Leal: Department of Sports, Higher Institute of Educational Sciences of the Douro, 4560-708 Penafiel, Portugal
António J. Silva: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Tiago M. Barbosa: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
António M. Monteiro: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Pedro Forte: Research Centre in Sports Sciences, Health and Human Development, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-11

Abstract: Compensatory training sessions have been highlighted as useful strategies to solve the differential weekly training load between the players’ starting status. However, the influence of the players’ starting status is still understudied in sub-elite youth football. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the weekly training load on a standard microcycle in starters and non-starters of a sub-elite youth football academy. The weekly training load of 60 young sub-elite football players was monitored during a 6-week period using an 18 Hz global positioning system (GPS), 1 Hz telemetry heart rate, rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and total quality recovery (TQR). The total distance (TD) covered presented a significant difference between starters and non-starters with a moderate effect ( t = −2.38, Δ = −428.03 m, p = 0.018, d = 0.26). Training volume was higher in non-starters than in starter players (TD Starters = 5105.53 ± 1684.22 vs. TD Non-starters = 5533.56 ± 1549.26 m). Significant interactive effects were found between a player’s starting status, playing time, and session duration in overall training load variables for within (F = 140.46; η 2 = 0.85; p < 0.001) and between-subjects (F = 11.63 to 160.70; η 2 = 0.05 to 0.76; p < 0.001). The player’s starting status seems to only influence the training volume in sub-elite youth football, unless one considers the covariance of the playing time and session duration. Consequently, coaches should prioritize complementary training to equalize training volume and emphasize similar practice opportunities for non-starters. Future studies should evaluate the gap between training and match load, measuring the impact of recovery and compensatory sessions.

Keywords: workload; recovery; starting status; periodization; youth (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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