How Do Age-Group Triathlon Coaches Manage Training Load? A Pilot Study.

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Multidisciplinary Sports Training

Background:

• Triathlons demand integrated training across three disciplines.
• Optimal management of training load in triathletes is not well understood.
• Coaches' decision-making processes regarding training prescription require investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how triathlon coaches utilize training data to inform athlete training prescription.
• To assess the impact of provided training load information on weekly training adjustments.
• To analyze the occurrence of training load spikes and their relationship with injuries.

Main Methods:

• A 10-week observational study involving four age-group triathlon coaches and ten athletes.
• Coaches received weekly summary reports detailing athletes' relative acute training load (rATL) and training stress scores (TSSs).
• Coaches were surveyed on the utilization of provided data for subsequent training prescription.

Main Results:

• High weekly fluctuations (spikes) in rATL were prevalent across all disciplines (swim 83%, bike 74%, run 87%).
• Coaches adapted training loads in only 25% of reported rATLs, and adjustments frequently failed to prevent spikes.
• Significant training load spikes occurred more often in single disciplines than when combined, and injuries were linked to large running load spikes.

Conclusions:

• Triathlon coaches demonstrated limited use of provided training load data in prescription.
• Training load management in age-group triathletes often resulted in undesirable weekly load variability.
• Further research is needed to optimize training load monitoring and prescription for triathletes to minimize injury risk.