The Correlations Between Training Load Parameters and Physical Performance Adaptations in Team Sports: A Systematic...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Exercise Physiology
• Performance Analytics

Background:

• Optimizing training plans in team sports requires understanding the link between training load and physical fitness.
• Evidence synthesis is crucial for refining training strategies for athletes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify research designs and methods assessing training load's impact on team sport players' physical performance.
• To synthesize findings and conduct a meta-analysis on the training load-performance relationship.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on team sport players (trained/developmental level).
• Inclusion criteria: minimum two-week training load with pre-post performance data.
• Quality assessment using Downs and Black scale; evidence certainty evaluated with GRADE.

Main Results:

• 40 studies (726 players) analyzed, showing significant correlations between heart rate (HR)-based training impulse (TRIMP) and maximal oxygen uptake (r=0.63).
• HR-based TRIMP also correlated with velocity at lactate threshold (V_LT) (r=0.47) and onset of blood lactate accumulation (r=0.43).
• Session-rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) showed a significant correlation with changes in V_LT (r=0.29).

Conclusions:

• HR-based TRIMP is an effective indicator for endurance adaptations in team sport players during training phases.
• sRPE and external training load measures demonstrated limited associations with performance adaptations in this context.