Leo Djaoui

Session-RPE Method for Training Load Monitoring: Validity, Ecological Usefulness, and Influencing Factors

Purpose: The aim of this review is to (1) retrieve all data validating the Session-rating of perceived exertion (RPE)-method using various criteria, (2) highlight the rationale of this method and its ecological usefulness, and (3) describe factors that can alter RPE and users of this method should take into consideration. Method: Search engines such as SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and Google Scholar databases in the English language between 2001 and 2016 were consulted for the validity and usefulness of the session-RPE method. Studies were considered for further analysis when they used the session-RPE method proposed by Foster et al. in 2001. Participants were athletes of any gender, age, or level of competition. Studies using languages other than English were excluded in the analysis of the validity and reliability of the session-RPE method. Other studies were examined to explain the rationale of the session-RPE method and the origin of RPE. Results: A total of 950 studies cited the Foster et al. study that proposed the session RPE-method. 36 studies have examined the validity and reliability of this proposed method using the modified CR-10. Conclusion: These studies confirmed the validity and good reliability and internal consistency of session-RPE method in several sports and physical activities with men and women of different age categories (children, adolescents, and adults) among various expertise levels. This method could be used as “standing alone” method for training load (TL) monitoring purposes though some recommend to combine it with other physiological parameters as heart rate.

Kinetic post-match fatigue in professional and youth soccer players during the competitive period

Background No previous research has analysed kinetic fatigue of elite adult players and elite youth players during the competitive period. Objectives The aim of the present study was to analyse kinetic post-match fatigue in professional and youth soccer players during the competitive period. Materials and Methods resting heart rate (HRrest), post-effort recovery heart rate (HRrecovery), rate of perceived exertion fatigue (RPEf), muscle soreness and blood samples with creatine kinase (CK) and resting lactate (La) from nine professional soccer players were measured immediately before, 24 hour and 48 hour after two official French first league matches (Ligue 1) whereas RPEf, HRrest, and 20m speed performance (speed-20 m) were measured in ten U-17 elite players immediately before, 24 hour and 48h after a friendly match. Results for professionals, a soccer match elevated all physiological markers during the next 24 hours (P < 0.05); only HRrecovery remained significantly different 48 hours after the match (P < 0.05) whereas there was no variation of HRrest, RPEf, and speed-20m, which were elevated until 24h and got back to reference values 48 hours after the match (P < 0.05) for the U17 players. Comparing the two groups, HRrest results remained lower all the time for professionals, and RPEf was lower for U-17, 24 hours after the match (P < 0.05). Conclusions Independent of their level, professional soccer players, need 48 hours to recover after an official match. Professionals gain more fatigue than young players after a match, but recover as fast. Thus, they recover more efficiently especially due to a better physical condition and fitness training. It is expected that the results showed in the study help elite soccer and fitness coaches to manage the training load of the team according to the match.

Maximal Sprinting Speed of Elite Soccer Players During Training and Matches

The aim of the present study was to compare (a) the maximal sprinting speed (MSS) attained by soccer players during matches (MSSmatch) according to their level of play (professional first French division vs. elite amateur fourth French division) and the playing positions and (b) the MSS attained by professional soccer players during 14 different types of small-sided games (SSG, MSSSSG) and match-play. All players monitored through the study performed a 40-m sprint test to assess individual MSS (MSStest) and compare it to the training and match activity, with the calculation of the percentage of MSStest (%MSStest) reached. No differences were found according to the level of play; however, positional wide players achieved a higher MSSmatch, %MSStest, and MSSSSG than central players (both defenders and midfielders) during matches and SSG. MSSmatch were higher than all MSSSSG, and MSSSSG were positively correlated with the area of the pitch (0.45, p < 0.001), its length (0.53, p < 0.001), and the number of players involved (0.38, p < 0.001). The closer SSG was to match situation in terms of rules, the higher the MSSSSG. Wide players reached higher MSS in match and SSG than central players, confirming the relevance of using SSG close to match situation to specifically prepare elite players to the maximal running speed demand of the match.The aim of the present study was to compare 1) the maximal sprinting speed (MSS) attained by soccer players during matches (MSSmatch) according to their level of play (professional 1st French division vs. elite amateur 4th French division) and the playing positions; and 2) the MSS attained by professional soccer players during 14 different types of small-sided games (SSG, MSSSSG) and match-play. All players monitored through the study performed a 40-m sprint test to assess individual MSS (MSStest) and compare it to the training and match activity, with the calculation of the percentage of MSStest (%MSStest) reached. No differences were found according to the level of play, however positionally, wide players achieved a higher MSSmatch, %MSStest, and MSSSSG compared to central players (both defenders and midfielders) during matches and SSG. MSSmatch were higher than all MSSSSG, and MSSSSG were positively correlated with the area of the pitch (0.45, p<0.001), its length (0.53, p<0.001) and the number of players involved (0.38, p<0.001). The closer SSG was to match situation in term of rules, the higher the MSSSSG. Wide players reached higher MSS in match and SSG than central players, confirming the relevance of using SSG close to match situation to specifically prepare elite players to the maximal running speed demand of the match.

Salivary IgA and pre-training wellness status across an international soccer qualifying and finals campaign (Euro 2016)

The aim of this investigation was to examine the salivary IgA (salivary immunoglobulin-A), RPE and pre-training wellness status across an international qualification and finals campaign. Data were collected for 37 elite male international soccer players (mean ± standard deviation, age: 24.9 ± 3.3 years; height: 182.5 ± 6 cm; mass: 73.1 ± 6.2 kg; positions: Goalkeeper, Center Defender, Wide Defender, Center Midfield, Wide Forward, and Center Forward) across two consecutive seasons. Training RPE, wellness questionnaire, and saliva samples were taken throughout the Euro 2016 qualifying and finals campaign. Results revealed how Readiness and Total Wellness (r = −0.28, p < 0.05) correlated to salivary immunoglobulin-A, in the day preceding games (MD−1). No correlation between wellness and salivary immunoglobulin-A was observed in MD−4; however, Energy correlated to salivary immunoglobulin-A between MD−3 and MD (from r = −0.18 to −0.22, p < 0.05), with significance observed between RPE and Total Wellness r = −0.22 (Total Wellness), r = −0.21 (Energy), r = −0.17 (Readiness), and r = −0.24 (Lower Body Soreness) (p < 0.05). It can be concluded from the data that all wellness markers except Sleep correlated to salivary immunoglobulin-A. Furthermore, it was revealed that Energy appeared to be the greatest wellness assessment marker related to salivary immunoglobulin-A. As a result of this specific investigation, it can be confirmed that the use of a pre-training subjective Wellness questionnaires may be a useful tool to monitor individual mucosal immunity response to training.

Reproducibility of Physical Performance during Small- and Large-sided Gamesin Elite Soccer in Short Period: Practical Applications and Limits

The aim of the present study was to examine the reproducibility of the physical activity during different sided games in elite soccer players during different training sessions. Twenty elite soccer players belonging to a French first league team (age: 24.3 ± 3.2 years; height: 178.1 ± 4.2 cm; body mass: 76.9 ± 4.3 kg) participated in different small and large-sided games (SSG: i.e. 5 vs. 5, 6 vs. 6, 7 vs. 7; and LSG: i.e. 8 vs. 8, 9 vs. 9 and 10 vs. 10 with and without goalkeepers) repeated at 2 different sessions within a competitive season. Peak speed reached (Vmax), heart rate (HR) responses and the total distance covered (TDC) at walking (0-6 km.h-1), very-light (>6-10 km.h-1), light (>10-16 km.h-1), moderate (>16-23 km.h-1), and high (>23 km.h-1) intensities were measured and analyzed using global positional system (GPS) during all SSG and LSG. No statistical significant differences of Vmax, HR response, TDC, and TDC at high and moderate intensities for all sided games played between 2 different sessions were found. Moreover, the inter-individual coefficients of variation of HR during all SSG were lower than 8.6% with no statistical significant differences when SSG and LSG were repeated at 2 different sessions. In conclusion, the physical performance and especially the high intensities activities of elite soccer players present good reproducibility when different types of SSG were applied in 2 different sessions in the same period, even if the rules and formats were being manipulated allowing coaches to use it with a target time-motion characteristic and an equivalent workload week after week.