In-season weekly training load distribution in a South African Premier Soccer League team using GPS devices: A case study

Abstract

The monitoring of training load allows coaches to appropriately periodise training programmes by controlling and manipulating the intensity and volume of training sessions appropriately, without compromising recovery and tapering. This study aimed to quantify the in-season weekly training load of a South African Premier League male soccer team. Twenty-four outfield players (aged 25.5 ± 3.8 years), playing in the same team, were selected for data collection over 12 weeks during the 2019/2020 season, using PlayerTek GPS devices (10Hz). Weeks were categorised according to the number of training days before the match, i.e., five-day weeks, four-day weeks and three-day weeks. Training days were labelled based on the number of days before the match, i.e., match day (MD) minus the number of days. Data collected included total distance covered, high intensity running, power plays, top end-speed and distance per minute. Total distance (TD), high intensity running (HIR), power plays (PP) and distance per minute (DPM) readings were higher on MD-5 (p<.001) compared to the other training days during the five-day weeks. However, during the four-day weeks, the training load values were higher on MD-4 and MD-3 compared to MD-2 and MD-1. By contrast, during the three-day weeks, training load values were higher on MD-2 compared to MD-3 and MD-1. No significance difference was found in training load between starters and non-starters, or among various playing positions. The variation in training load reflects the intention to overload on the first day of the week and then to progressively underload from MD-2 and MD-1 to allow for tapering before the match. However, these findings also indicate little or no training consideration of positional differences, and non-starters.