Training Load Monitoring in Team Sports: A Novel Framework Separating Physiological and Biomechanical Load-Adaptation Pathways

Jos Vanrenterghem*, Niels Jensby Nedergaard, Mark A. Robinson, Barry Drust

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

There have been considerable advances in monitoring training load in running-based team sports in recent years. Novel technologies nowadays offer ample opportunities to continuously monitor the activities of a player. These activities lead to internal biochemical stresses on the various physiological subsystems; however, they also cause internal mechanical stresses on the various musculoskeletal tissues. Based on the amount and periodization of these stresses, the subsystems and tissues adapt. Therefore, by monitoring external loads, one hopes to estimate internal loads to predict adaptation, through understanding the load-adaptation pathways. We propose a new theoretical framework in which physiological and biomechanical load-adaptation pathways are considered separately, shedding new light on some of the previously published evidence. We hope that it can help the various practitioners in this field (trainers, coaches, medical staff, sport scientists) to align their thoughts when considering the value of monitoring load, and that it can help researchers design experiments that can better rationalize training-load monitoring for improving performance while preventing injury.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2135-2142
Number of pages8
JournalSports Medicine
Volume47
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2017

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
No financial support was received for the conduct of this study or preparation of this article.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017, Springer International Publishing Switzerland.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Training Load Monitoring in Team Sports: A Novel Framework Separating Physiological and Biomechanical Load-Adaptation Pathways'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this