Quantification of internal and external training load during a training camp in senior international female footballers

ABSTRACT

Objective

This study aimed to quantify the internal and external training load profile of an international training camp and identify any differences between positional groups or starting status.

Methods

18 players were sampled using a global positioning system (GPS) and internal training load (TL) via session rate of perceived exertion (RPE).

Results

Internal and external training load variation was present across all six individual training sessions. Results indicated match day −7 (MD-7), had significantly (P= 0.001) less training volume (3339.5 m) than all other training sessions. MD-5 and MD-2 were the most intense (387.5 and 201 m very high speed running (VHSR) and 187.5 and 49 m sprint distance (SPD) respectively in combination with large volume (5933.5 and 5151.5 m). Differences in playing position and starting status were observed in MD-2. Forwards (FW) covered significantly greater distances of VHSR (P= 0.008) and SPD (P= 0.008) in comparison to midfielders (MF) whilst starters reported significantly (P = 0.013) higher internal training loads (TL).

Conclusion

This study provides the first report on training load in elite female footballers during an international training camp including a competitive fixture highlighting the undulation of training loads across the individual training sessions, playing positions and starting status.

KEYWORDS:

• Monitoring
• periodisation
• taper
• soccer
• GPS

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the players and staff at the Football Association of Ireland for their hard work and cooperation throughout this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

Funding was provided by the president’s fellowship research award from the Institute of Technology, Carlow and the Football Association of Ireland, high-performance department; Presidents Fellowship Research Award