Objective and subjective methods for quantifying training load in wheelchair basketball small-sided games

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Physiology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Training load monitoring is crucial for optimizing athletic performance and preventing overtraining in wheelchair basketball.
• Understanding the relationship between different training load metrics is essential for effective program design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze training load during small-sided games in wheelchair basketball.
• To determine the relationship between heart rate (HR)-based and rating of perceived exertion (RPE)-based training load methods.

Main Methods:

• Collected data from 12 wheelchair basketball players over five weeks.
• Measured HR-based load using Edwards' training load and Stagno's TRIMPmod.
• Assessed RPE-based load using session RPEres (cardiopulmonary) and session RPEmus (muscular).

Main Results:

• Total HR-based loads were 67.5 ± 6.7 AU and 55.3 ± 12.5 AU.
• Total RPE-based loads were 99.3 ± 26.9 AU and 100.8 ± 31.2 AU.
• Higher session RPEmus was observed in later bouts, while other measures did not significantly differ; correlations between HR and RPE methods were trivial to small.

Conclusions:

• HR-based and RPE-based training load methods provide distinct information in wheelchair basketball small-sided games.
• These methods can be complementary, with each offering insights into the limitations of the other for comprehensive training load assessment.