Weekly Fluctuations in Internal Load and Neuromuscular Performance Across a 10-Week Training Period in Elite Female...

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Combat Sports Physiology
• Athlete Monitoring

Background:

• Elite junior female boxers face intense training demands.
• Understanding the relationship between training load and performance is crucial for optimizing development.
• Current monitoring methods need validation within this specific population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the weekly internal load and neuromuscular performance in elite junior female boxers over a 10-week period.
• To assess the temporal alignment between internal load indices and neuromuscular performance.
• To evaluate the utility of session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) for monitoring training responses.

Main Methods:

• Weekly internal load was quantified using session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE).
• Weekly monotony and strain were derived from sRPE.
• Neuromuscular performance was assessed using wall-sit endurance and a repetitive jump test.
• Twenty elite junior female boxers were monitored over 10 weeks.

Main Results:

• Significant week-to-week fluctuations were observed in training load, monotony, and strain (p < 0.001).
• Neuromuscular performance showed improvements, declines, and partial recovery aligned with training load patterns.
• A consistent temporal alignment was found between internal load indices and neuromuscular performance changes.

Conclusions:

• Session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE)-derived indices effectively reflect training stress patterns in elite female boxers.
• These indices align with neuromuscular performance changes, supporting their use for contextual monitoring.
• Findings support the practical integration of internal load and performance monitoring in elite female combat sports.