A Quantitative Study on the Relationship Between Players' Wellness, Mental and Physical Intensity in Youth Football Training in Malta

Year 2023, , 540 - 563, 28.06.2023

Michael Anthony Baldacchıno , Renzo Kerr Cumbo , Ender Şenel

https://doi.org/10.38021/asbid.1280314

Abstract

Effectively managing training intensity is important to optimize the health and performance of elite athletes. However, limited research has been conducted on the relationship between training intensity and wellness status in young football players. This study included 123 young football players and 8 coaches from the Malta Football Regional Centers (MFRH) U12/13 and U14 groups. Participation in the study was based on voluntary basis and each age group underwent two training sessions per week. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the wellness status, mental and physical intensity of football players, and the planned and perceived mental and physical intensity of coaches. The main findings of the study showed a negative relationship between football players' pre-training wellness scores and their perceived (post-training) RPE, as well as coaches' perceived (post-training) RPE. This result indicates that coaches did not use the wellness questionnaire in the training planning process. In addition, a negative relationship was found between football players' perceived (post-training) RPE and their mental fatigue perception, suggesting that mental fatigue can occur independently of physical training intensity. Planned (pre-training) RPE scores of coaches were found to have a positive relationship with young football players' perceived (post-training) RPE scores, indicating that coaches were effective in planning and controlling training intensity. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of using wellness questionnaires in managing training intensity in young football players.

Keywords

Training Intensity, Wellness Status, Mental Fatigue, Coach Perception, Youth Football Players

Malta'da Genç Futbol Antrenmanlarında Oyuncuların Wellness, Mental ve Fiziksel Yoğunluğu Arasındaki İlişki Üzerine Nicel Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Elit sporcuların performansını artırmak için antrenman yoğunluğunu etkili bir şekilde yönetmek, sporcuların sağlık ve performansını optimize etmek için önemlidir. Ancak, genç futbolcularda antrenman yoğunluğunun ve wellness durumunun birbirleriyle nasıl ilişkili olduğuna dair az sayıda araştırma yapılmıştır. Bu araştırma, Malta Futbol Bölgesel Merkezleri (MFRH) U12/13 ve U14 gruplarından 123 genç futbolcu ve 8 antrenörü içermektedir. Çalışmaya katılım gönüllülük esasına dayanmaktadır ve her yaş grubu haftada iki antrenman yapmaktadır. Çalışmanın amacı, futbolculardaki wellness durumu, mental ve fiziksel yoğunluk ile antrenörlerin planlanan ve algılanan mental ve fiziksel yoğunlukları arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemektir. Çalışmanın ana sonuçları, futbolcuların antrenman öncesi wellness puanları ile futbolcuların algılanan (antrenman sonrası) RPE ve antrenörlerin algılanan (antrenman sonrası) RPE arasında negatif bir ilişki olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu sonuç, antrenörlerin antrenman planlama sürecinde wellness anketini kullanmadığını göstermektedir. Ayrıca, futbolcuların algılanan (antrenman sonrası) RPE ile mental yorgunluk algısı arasında negatif bir ilişki olduğu belirlenmiştir. Bu sonuç, futbolcularda mental yorgunluğun, fiziksel antrenman yoğunluğundan bağımsız olarak yaşanabileceğini göstermektedir. Antrenörlerin planladığı (antrenman öncesi) RPE skorlarının ise genç futbolcuların algılanan (antrenman sonrası) RPE skorlarıyla pozitif bir ilişkisi olduğu saptanmıştır. Bu sonuç, antrenörlerin antrenmanların yoğunluğunu planlama ve kontrol etmede etkili olduklarını göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak, bu çalışma, futbolcularda wellness durumunun antrenman yoğunluğunu etkilediğini ve mental yorgunluk algısının fiziksel antrenman yoğunluğundan bağımsız olduğunu belirlemiştir. Ayrıca, antrenörlerin antrenmanların yoğunluğunu planlama ve kontrol etmede etkili olduğu gösterilmiştir. Bu çalışma, genç futbolcularda antrenman yoğunluğu yönetiminde wellness anketlerinin kullanımının önemini vurgulamaktadır.

Keywords

Antrenman Yoğunluğu, Wellness Durumu, Mental Yorgunluk, Antrenör Algısı, Genç Futbolcular

References

• Alexiou, H., & Coutts, A. J. (2008). A comparison of methods used for quantifying internal training load in women soccer players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 3, 320-330.
• Boccolini, G., Formenti, D., Trecroci, A., & Duca, M. (2020). Mental fatigue impairs physical activity, and technical and decision-making performance during small-sided games. PLOS ONE, 15(9), e0239022.
• Bompa, T., & Buzzichelli, C. A. (2015). Periodization training for sports (3rd ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
• Bompa, T. O., & Haff, G. G. (2009). Periodization: Theory and methodology of training (5th ed.). Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
• Borg, G. (1970). Perceived exertion as an indicator of somatic stress. Scandinavian Journal of Rehab Medicine, 2(3), 92-98.
• Borg, G. (1982). A category scale with ratio properties for intermodal and interindividual comparisons. In R. F. Arterberry & C. J. Brainerd (Eds.), Psychophysical judgment and the process of perception (pp. 25-34). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
• Borg, G. (1982). Psychophysical bases of perceived exertion. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 14(5), 377-381.
• Borg, G. (1998). Borg's perceived exertion and pain scales. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
• Borg, G. (2004). Scaling experiences during work: perceived exertion and difficulty. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
• Borg, G., & Borg, E. (2019). BorgPerception AB. Retrieved May 21, 2022, from https://borgperception.se/
• Borresen, J., & Lambert, M. I. (2009). The Quantification of Training Load, the training response and the effect on performance. Sports Medicine, 39(9), 779-795.
• Bourdon, P. C., Cardinale, M., Murry, A., Gastin, P., Kellmann, M., Varley, M. C., ... Cable, N. T. (2017). Monitoring athlete training loads: Consensus statement. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(2), 161-170.
• Buchheit, M., Racinais, S., Bilsborough, J. C., Voss, P. C., Hocking, J., Cordy, J., & Mendez-Villanueva, A., & Coutts, A. J. (2013). Monitoring fitness, fatigue and running performance during a pre-season training camp in elite football players. Journal of Science and Medicine, 16(6), 550-555.
• Clemente, F. M., Mendes, B., Palao, J. M., Silverio, A., Carrico, S., Calvete, F., & Nakamura, F. Y. (2019). Seasonal player wellness and its longitudinal association with internal training load: study in elite volleyball. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 59(3), 345-351.
• Clemente, F. M., & Rocha, R. F. (2013). Teaching and soccer training: An approach through a tactical perspective. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 13(1), 14-18.
• Coutts, A. J., Gomes, R. V., Viveiros de Castro, L. E., & Aoki, M. S. (2010). Monitoring training loads in elite tennis. Revista Brasileira de Cineantropometria e Desempenho Humano, 12(3), 217-220.
• Delgado-Bordonau, J. L., & Mendez-Villanueva, A. (2012). Tactical Periodization: Mourinho's best-kept secret?. Soccer NSCAA Journal, 29-34.
• Foster, C., Florhaug, J. A., Franklin, J., Gottschall, L., Hrovatin, L. A., Parker, S., Doleshal, P., & Dodge, C. (2001). A new approach to monitoring exercise training. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 15(1), 109-115.
• Frade, V. (2003). A periodização tática. Porto: s.n.
• Gabbett, T. J., & Whiteley, R. (2016). Two training-load paradoxes: Can we work harder and smarter, can physical preparation and medical be team-mates?. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(2), 50-54.
• Gaillard, A. W. K. (1993). Comparing the concepts of mental load and stress. Ergonomics, 36(9), 991-1005.
• Gallo, T. F., Cormack, S. J., Gabbett, T. J., & Lorenzen, C. H. (2015). Pre-training perceived wellness impacts training output in Australian football. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(15), 1445-1451.
• Haddad, M., Stylianides, G., Djaoui, L., Dellal, A., & Chamari, K. (2017). Session-RPE Method for Training Load Monitoring: Validity, Ecological Usefulness, and Influencing Factors. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 11, 1-14.
• Halson, S. L. (2014). Monitoring training load to understand fatigue in athletes. Sports Medicine, 44(2), 139-147.
• Issurin, V. B. (2010). New horizons for the methodology and physiology of training periodization. Sports Medicine, 40(3), 189-206.
• Malone, J., Jaspers, A., Helsen, W. F., Merks, B., Frencken, W., & Brink, M. S. (2017). Seasonal training load and wellness monitoring in a professional soccer goalkeeper. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 13(5), 307-312.
• Mclean, B. D., Coutts, A. J., Kelly, V., & Cormack, S. (2010). Neuromuscular, endocrine, and perceptual fatigue responses during different length between-match micro cycles in professional rugby league players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 5(3), 367-383.
• Mellalieu, S., Jones, C., Wagstaff, C. R. D., & Kemp, S. P. T. (2021). Measuring psychological load in sport. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 42(9).
• Molander, B., Olsson, C. J., Stenling, A., & Borg, E. (2013). Regulating force in putting by using the Borg CR100 scale. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 1-9.
• Oliveira, J. (2004). Conhecimento específico em futebol: contributos para a definição de uma matriz dinâmica do processo ensino aprendizagem-treino do jogo.
• Premier League. (2011). Elite player performance plan. s.l.: s.n.
• Raiola, G., & Tafuri, D. (2015). Assessment and periodization in amateur soccer team. Sport Science, 8(2), 26-29.
• Saw, A. E., Kellmann, M., Main, L. C., & Gastin, P. B. (2017). Athlete self-report measures in research and practice: Considerations for the discerning reader and fastidious practitioner. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(2), 127-135.
• Saw, A. E., Main, L. C., & Gastin, P. B. (2016). Monitoring the athlete training response: subjective self-reported measures trump commonly used objective measure: a systematic review. Br J Sports Medicine, 50(5), 281-291.
• Sciortino, K. (2020). The coach's predicted training load in relation to the athlete's ınternal and external load. Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology, 1-98.
• Slimani, M., Znazen, H., Bragazzi, N. L., Zguira, M. S., & Tod, D. (2018). The effect of mental fatigue on cognitive and aerobic performance in adolescent active endurance athletes: Insights from a randomized counterbalanced, cross-over trail. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 7(12), 1-10.
• Smith, M. R., Marcora, S. M., & Coutts, A. J. (2015). Mental fatigue ımpairs ıntermittent running performance. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 47(8), 1682-1690.
• Taylor, K. L., Chapman, D. W., Cronin, J. B., Newton, M. J., & Gill, N. (2012). Fatigue monitoring in high performance sport: a survey of current trends. Journal of Australian Strength and Conditioning, 20(1), 12-23.
• Thompson, C. J., Fransen, J., Skorski, S., Smith, M. R., Meyer, T., Barrett, S., & Coutts, A. J. (2018). Mental fatigue in football: Is it time to shift the goalposts?. Sports Medicine, 49, 177-183.
• Thorpe, R. T., Strudwick, A. J., Buchheit, M., Atkinson, G., Drust, B., & Gregson, W. (2016). Tracking morning fatigue status across in-season training weeks in elite soccer players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 11(1), 947-952.
• Ungureanu, N. A., Brustio, R. P., Boccia, G., Rainoldi, A., & Lupo, C. (2021). Effects of presession well-being perception on ınternal training load in female volleyball players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 16(5), 622-627.
• Wellman, A. D., Coad, S. C., Flynn, P. J., Siam, T. K. & McLellan, C. P. (2019). Perceived wellness associated with practice and competition in national collegiate athletic association division ı football players. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 33(1), 112-124.
• World Health Organization. (2006). Health promotion glossary. Retrieved February 16, 2022 from https://www.who.int/healthpromotion/about/HPR%20Glossary_New%20Terms.pdf
• Zhou, C., Gomez, M.-A., & Lorenzo, A. (2020). The evolution of physical and technical performance parameters in the Chinese Soccer Super League. Biology of Sport, 37(2), 139-145.