Note. This Article Will Be Published in A Forthcoming Issue of The International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. The

“Monitoring Fatigue During the In-Season Competitive Phase in Elite Soccer Players” by Thorpe RT et al.
International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

© 2015 Human Kinetics, Inc.
Note. This article will be published in a forthcoming issue of the

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. The
article appears here in its accepted, peer-reviewed form, as it was
provided by the submitting author. It has not been copyedited,
proofread, or formatted by the publisher.
Section: Original Investigation
Article Title: Monitoring Fatigue During the In-Season Competitive Phase in Elite Soccer
Players
Authors: Robin T. Thorpe1, Anthony J. Strudwick1, Martin Buchheit3,4, Greg Atkinson2,

Barry Drust1, and Warren Gregson1
Affiliations: 1Football Exchange, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences,
Liverpool John Moores University, UK. 2Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside
University, UK. 3Sport Science Department, Myorobie Association, Montvalezan , France.
4
Performance Department, Paris Saint Germain FC.
Journal: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance
Acceptance Date: February 10, 2015
©2015 Human Kinetics, Inc.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2015-0004
Monitoring fatigue during the in-season competitive phase in elite soccer players
Submission type: Original Investigation
RT. Thorpe1, AJ. Strudwick1, M. Buchheit3,4, G. Atkinson2, B. Drust1, W. Gregson1
1
Football Exchange, Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John
Moores University, UK
2
Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, UK
3
Sport Science Department, Myorobie Association, Montvalezan
, France
4
Performance Department, Paris Saint Germain FC
Corresponding Author:
Robin T. Thorpe
Manchester United, Aon Training Complex, Birch Road off Isherwood Road, Carrington,
Manchester M31 4BH
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: +447894737810
Running Head: Monitoring fatigue in elite soccer players
Word count: 2723
Abstract word count: 177
Number of figures: 1
Number of tables: 1
Abstract
Purpose: To quantify the relationship between daily training load and a range of potential
measures of fatigue in elite soccer players during an in-season competitive phase (17-days).
Methods: Total high-intensity running distance (THIR), perceived ratings of wellness
(fatigue, muscle soreness, sleep quality), counter-movement jump height (CMJ), post-
exercise heart rate recovery (HRR) and heart rate variability (Ln rMSSD) were analysed
during an in-season competitive period (17 days). General linear models were used to
evaluate the influence of daily fluctuation in THIR distance on potential fatigue variables.
Results: Fluctuations in fatigue (r=-0.51; large; P<0.001), Ln rMSSD (r=-0.24; small;
P=0.04), and CMJ (r=0.23; small; P=0.04) were significantly correlated with fluctuations in
THIR distance. Correlations between variability in muscle soreness, sleep quality and HRR
and THIR distance were negligible and not statistically significant. Conclusions: Perceived
ratings of fatigue and heart rate variability were sensitive to daily fluctuations in THIR
distance in a sample of elite soccer players. Therefore, these particular markers show
particular promise as simple, non-invasive assessments of fatigue status in elite soccer
players during a short in-season competitive phase.
Key Words: Training load, Performance, Recovery, Wellness

Introduction
The stress associated with training and competition often temporarily impairs a
players’ physical performance. This impairment may be acute, lasting minutes or hours and
may stem from metabolic disturbances and substrate utilisation associated with high-intensity
exercise. 1Alternatively, exercise-induced muscle injury and delayed onset muscle soreness
that often follows training with a high eccentric component may lead to impairment lasting
2
several days. The balance between the stress of training and competition and sufficient
recovery is therefore of sufficient importance since an imbalance over extended periods of
time may contribute to potentially long-term debilitating effects associated with
overtraining.3
Increasing attention in the literature has centred upon evaluating the effectiveness of a
range of monitoring tools which may serve as valid indicators of recovery status in athletes
4 5
including heart rate derived indices, salivary hormones, neuromuscular indices and
subjective wellness scales. 6 A valid marker of recovery should be sensitive to variability in

7
training and match load, consequently, research to date has evaluated the sensitivity of
monitoring tools in response to changes in training load over extended periods of time (e.g.
weekly/monthly) in endurance sports such as cycling. 8,9 In contrast, limited attempt has been
made to determine the effectiveness of these tools for monitoring recovery in elite team sport
players. 6,10 Team sport athletes compete on a weekly/bi-weekly basis therefore decisions on
player wellness and fatigue are frequently required over extended periods of time. Under such
conditions, monitoring tools that are sensitive to more acute (e.g. daily) fluctuations in load
may serve as the most effective monitoring tools.
Recent findings indicate that perceived ratings of wellness, 6,10 submaximal heart rate
10 10
and a vagal-related heart rate variability index are sensitive to subtle changes in daily
pre-season training load in elite Australian Rules players. However, to the authors’
knowledge, no research to date has evaluated the sensitivity of different monitoring tools to
daily fluctuations in training load in elite soccer players. Since differences exist in the
physiological demands between team sports it is important to determine which fatigue
variables are most sensitive to changes in load associated with specific sports. Furthermore,
no attempt has been made to examine such relationships during an in-season competition
phase where the overall loading patterns vary markedly compared to the high volume pre-
11,12
season training periods. Therefore, our aim was to quantify the relationships between
daily training load and a range of potential measures of fatigue in a sample of elite soccer
players during a short in-season competitive phase.
Methods
Subjects
Data were collected from 10 outfield soccer players (19.1±0.6 years; 184±7cm;
75.4±7.6 kg) competing in the English Premier League over a 17-day period (February)
during an in-season competition phase.
Design
Players took part in normal team training throughout the 17-day period as prescribed
by the coaching staff. This included two competitive reserve team home matches, twelve
training sessions and three rest days. All players were fully familiarised with the assessments
in the weeks prior to completion of the main experimental trials. On the day of the fatigue
assessments, players arrived at the training ground laboratory having refrained from caffeine
intake at least 12-hours prior to each assessment point. Fatigue variables were subsequently
taken prior to the players commencing normal training. Only perceived ratings of wellness
measurements were taken on match and rest days. All assessments were conducted at the
same time of the day in order to avoid the circadian variation in body temperature. 13 Players
were not allowed to consume fluid at any time during the fatigue assessments. The study was
approved by Liverpool John Moores University Ethics Committee. All players provided
written informed consent. Prior to inclusion into the study, players were examined by the club
physician and were deemed to be free from illness and injury.
Methodology
Individual player daily training and match load was monitored throughout the 17-day
assessment period. Each player was also monitored during each training session and match
using a portable global positioning system (GPS) technology (GPSports SPI Pro X 5 Hz,
Canberra, Australia). This type of system has previously been shown to provide valid and
reliable estimates of instantaneous velocity during acceleration, deceleration, and constant

14,15
velocity movements during linear, multidirectional and soccer-specific activities. All
devices were always activated 15-min before the data collection to allow acquisition of
16
satellite signals. The minimum acceptable number of available satellite signals was 8
17
(range 8-11). Players wore the same GPS device for each session in order to avoid inter-
unit error. 17
A psychometric questionnaire was used daily to assess general indicators of player

18
wellness. The questionnaire was comprised of three questions relating to perceived sleep
quality (coefficient of variation 13%, unpublished observations), muscle soreness (coefficient
of variation 9%, unpublished observations), and fatigue (coefficient of variation 12%,
unpublished observations). Each question scored on a seven-point Likert scale with 1-point
increments (scores of 1-7 with 1 and 7 representing very, very poor and very, very good
respectively). Countermovement jump (coefficient of variation 4%, unpublished
observations) (CMJ) performance was evaluated using a jump mat (Fusion Sport,
Queensland, Australia). Participants performed five CMJ efforts in total, two practice and
three assessment jumps ensuring the hands were affixed to the hips throughout the jump. The
highest jump was used as the criterion measure of performance.

Players completed an indoor submaximal 5-min cycling /5-min recovery test (Keiser,
4
California, USA) as part of the warm up prior to commencing every session. All players
were tested together at a fixed exercise intensity of 130 watts (85 rpm). The present intensity
19
was selected to minimize anaerobic energy contribution and to permit a rapid return of
heart rate to baseline for short-term heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) measurements. On
completion of exercise the players remained seated in silence for 5-min. HRV expressed as
the square root of the mean of the sum of squares of differences between adjacent normal R-
R intervals (rMSSD, coefficient of variation 28%, unpublished observations) and the natural
logarithm of the rMSSD (Ln rMSSD, coefficient of variation 10%, unpublished observations)
were calculated as previously described 19 using Polar software (Polar Precision Performance
SW 5.20, Polar Electro, Kemple, Finland). Heart rate recovery (HRR) expressed as the
absolute (HRR, coefficient of variation 14%, unpublished observations) and relative (%HRR,
coefficient of variation 10%, unpublished observations) change in HR between the final 30-
sec (average) of the 5-min cycling test and 60 sec after cessation of exercise were calculated
as previously described. 19,20
Thirty-five players from the same group were used to establish the between day
coefficient of variation for each fatigue measure. Assessments were undertaken on two
separate occasions, 24-hours apart, prior to commencing the pre-season training period. On
the day of the first assessment, players arrived at the training ground laboratory having
refrained from exercise and caffeine at least 24-hours.
Statistical Analysis
Data were analysed with general linear models, which allowed for the fact that data
21
were collected within-subjects over time. Recently, step-wise regression approaches have
22,23
been criticised for reliable variable selection in a model. Our added problem was the
predicted high multicolinearity between the various independent variables in our study.
Therefore, we used a combination of expert knowledge regarding which variables hold

23
superior practical/clinical importance and a multicolinearity correlation coefficient of >0.5
for initial variable selection. Total HIR distance (THIR; >14.4 km/h) was subsequently
selected in order to provide an indication of training and match load (independent variable) in
the present study. We then quantified the relationships between the various predictors and
outcomes using model I (unadjusted model) and model II (fully adjusted model from which
partial correlation coefficients and associated 95% confidence intervals for each predictor
could be derived). The following criteria were adopted to interpret the magnitude of the
correlation (r) between test measures: <0.1 trivial, 0.1 to 0.3 small, 0.3 to 0.5 moderate, 0.5 to
24
0.7 large, 0.7 to 0.9 very large, and 0.9 to 1.0 almost perfect. The level of statistical
significance was set at p<0.05 for all tests.
Results
The variability in training load and fatigue variables over the 17 day period is shown
in Figure 1. There was significant day-to-day variation (coefficient of variation) in THIR
distance (115%; p<0.001). The perceived wellness ratings for fatigue, sleep quality and
soreness varied from day-to-day by 16%, 18% and 19% respectively (p<0.05). HRR (11%),
Ln rMSSD (12%) and countermovement jump (4%) varied to a lesser degree (p<0.05).
Partial correlations, least squares regression slope (B) and significance for the
relationship between THIR distance and fatigue variables are shown in Table 1. Variability
in fatigue (r=-0.51; large; p<0.001), Ln rMSSD (r=-0.24; small; p=0.04) and CMJ (0.23;
small; p=0.04) were correlated to variability in THIR distance covered on the previous days.
Correlations between variability in sleep quality, muscle soreness and HRR (%) and THIR
distance were trivial to small and not statistically significant (Table 1).
Discussion
The aim of the current study was to quantify how sensitive a range of fatigue
variables are to changes in daily training load in a sample of elite soccer players. During a
short in-season competitive period, the strongest multivariate-adjusted correlations with daily
fluctuations in training load were found to be perceived ratings of wellness compared with
the other markers of fatigue measured.
In elite soccer, players are frequently required to compete on a weekly and often bi-
weekly basis, therefore the balance between training stimulus/adaptation and recovery is an
25
important consideration for coaches and sport scientists. Over the course of the 17-day
period, training was prescribed by the coaches and followed a typical periodized cycle
26
leading up to matches. This was characterised by recovery days following the match,
moderate to high loads after 3 to 4 days then moderate to light sessions leading into the
forthcoming match. The THIR distance varied by 115% (p<0.001), ranging from 1528 m to
235 m during match-play and recovery/low load days respectively.
While the assessment of training load is a popular practice in team sports there is also
a requirement to assess the physiological response in attempt to evaluate athlete adaptation,

7
recovery/readiness and fatigue status. The recording of perceived ratings of wellness is a
relatively efficient and practical approach to quantify the fatigue/adaptive responses to team
sports such as training in AFL. 6,18 In the present study, a moderate-to-strong correlation was
observed between the players perceived rating of fatigue and day-to-day variation in THIR
distance (r=-0.51; p<0.001). The slope of the regression model indicated that every 400m
increase in THIR distance led to a one unit decrease in fatigue (Table 1). Nevertheless,
whether self-reported fatigue can be used as a valid means to track the fatigue response to
training and match load in individual players is not entirely clear at present. We note that the
variance in training load explained by all the statistically significant predictors was
approximately 37%. The relatively small sample size in the present study would also render
prediction intervals for individual players relatively wide. Nevertheless, the present study has
helped to identify the variables that are at least correlated to within-player fluctuations in
training load in elite soccer players during a typical in-season training period, which is a
novel finding.
Daily perceived ratings of sleep quality (r=0.2), fatigue (r=0.2) and muscle soreness
(r=0.3) have been found to be statistically significantly correlated with daily training load
(training session time x RPE) during the pre-season training period in elite AFL players. 10 In
contrast, the relationship between daily training load and perceived ratings of sleep quality
and muscle soreness were trivial and non-significant in the present study. This may partly
reflect the fact that previous observations in AFL players 10 were made during the pre-season
period where the high volume and intensity of training may lead to greater disturbances in
perceived ratings of sleep and soreness. In soccer, the high frequency of competition during
the in-season phase ensures training is more focused around recovery and maintaining
physical fitness which may lead to lesser changes in perceived ratings of sleep and soreness
across a typical training week.
In recent years heart rate (HR) indices (HRV and HRR) have been used as a popular
method to measure variations in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in an attempt to

4
understand athlete adaptation/fatigue status. The use of vagal related time domain indices
such as Ln rMSSD have been found to have greater reliability and are ideal for assessments
over short periods when compared to spectral indices of HRV. 27 In the present study a small
significant correlation (r=-0.2; p=0.04) was found between the daily fluctuations in Ln
rMSSD and THIR. The slope of the regression model indicated that every 300m increase in
THIR distance led to a decrease of one unit in HRV (Table 1) i.e. more sympathetic
8,10
dominance the greater the training load. However, a non-significant correlation was
observed between HRR and daily fluctuations in THIR. Buchheit et al, (2013) found similar
yet stronger correlations (r=0.40) with a comparable vagal related parameter HRV (Ln SD1)
during a pre-season camp in AFL players. Previous work in elite gymnastics, rugby and
rowing have also found correlations with various measures of HRV and daily/total training
28–30
load using session ratings of perceived exertion. Although limited HRV data exists in
team sports, the use of vagal related HR indices with endurance athletes is more extensive.
4,31,32
Indeed, based on data derived from endurance sports it is suggested that the use of one
single data point could be misleading for practitioners due to the high day-to-day variation in
32
these indices. When data were averaged over a week or using a 7-day rolling average
significant large correlations were found with 10-km running performance compared to a
single assessment point where negligible relationships were seen. 32 As a consequence, if HR
derived assessments of fatigue/adaptation are to be effective in team sports a higher volume
of assessments may be required. However, undertaking such measures may prove difficult
with the large volume of athletes engaged in team sports. 4
It is well established that the assessment of neuromuscular function via the use of
5
jump protocols is impaired up to 72-hours post-match, indicating a negative effect on
33
neuromuscular performance. Interestingly a small positive correlation was currently
observed (r=0.23) between countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and THIR,
suggesting improved performance with increased THIR distance. This could reflect a
priming/post-activation potentiation effect of the THIR distance on the neuromuscular

34
system. A small non-significant correlation was previously observed between THIR and
33
CMJ performance over the course of a weeks training in elite adolescent soccer players.
The THIR distance reported (36-106 m) was much lower than in the present study (235-1528
m) and may not have been enough to stimulate positive or negative effects on the
neuromuscular system. However, irrespective of the underlying mechanisms, these findings

collectively indicate that daily monitoring of CMJ provides limited insight into recovery
fatigue status of soccer players. Furthermore, elite players are often reluctant to perform
maximal and explosive assessments in the days following high training or match loads which
may limit its application as a monitoring tool in elite soccer.
Total HIR distance was employed in the present study as an index of training and
match load due to its frequent inclusion in attempts to quantify the load incurred by elite
11
players during training and match-play. However, THIR distance will underestimate the
true load incurred by the athlete since it does not account for the stress associated with the
35
frequent accelerations and decelerations which occur during soccer. It should be noted,
however, that initial analysis in the present study highlighted a large correlation (r=0.57)
between THIR distance and session ratings of perceived exertion (sRPE) which has
previously been used as a global indicator of internal load in soccer players. 36 A limitation of
the present study relates to the use of an absolute (>14.4.km/h) rather than individual
37
thresholds to determine the high-intensity running speed. However, the performance
metrics (e.g. maximal speed, maximal aerobic speed and ventilatory thresholds) needed to
generate individual speed thresholds were not available in the current sample of elite players.
Practical Applications
Perceived ratings of wellness show particular promise as simple, non-invasive
assessments of fatigue status in elite soccer players during an in-season competitive phase
Future research is needed to determine the usefulness of vagal related HRV as a
monitoring tool in team sports
Future research is needed to understand more long-term fluctuations in fatigue
variables in relation to individual load thresholds in elite soccer players.

Conclusion
Perceived ratings of wellness show particular promise as a simple, non-invasive
assessment of fatigue status in elite soccer players during an in-season competitive phase
compared to the other markers of fatigue measured.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Manchester United Football Club for their cooperation and
input to this article

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Figure 1. Mean (SD) total high-intensity (THIR) distance (m), during the 17-day period
Figure 2. Mean (SD) perceived ratings of fatigue (AU) during the 17-day period
Figure 3. Mean (SD) countermovement jump (cm) during the 17-day period
Figure 4. Mean (SD) Ln rMSSD (ms) during the 17-day period

Table 1. Partial correlations (95% CI), least squares regression slope (B) and significance for
the relationship between training load (total high-intensity running distance) and fatigue
variables
Variable Correlation Magnitude B P-value

Coefficient
(95% CI)
Fatigue (AU) -0.51 (-0.62 to - Large -400.168 p<0.001

0.39)
Sleep quality (AU) -0.04 (-0.19 to Trivial -26.174 p= 0.71
0.11)
Muscle Soreness -0.10 (-0.25 to Trivial/Small -46.353 p=0.37
(AU) 0.05)
CMJ (cm) 0.23 (0.04 to Small 65.905 p=0.04
0.41)
Ln rMSSD (ms) -0.24 (-0.42 to - Small -295.131 p=0.04
0.05)
HRR (%) 0.13 (-0.07 to Trivial/Small 7.844 p=0.26
0.32)

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“Monitoring Fatigue During the In-Season Competitive Phase in Elite Soccer Players” by Thorpe RT et al.

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

Note. This article will be published in a forthcoming issue of the

Section: Original Investigation

Authors: Robin T. Thorpe1, Anthony J. Strudwick1, Martin Buchheit3,4, Greg Atkinson2,

Journal: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance

Acceptance Date: February 10, 2015

©2015 Human Kinetics, Inc.

Submission type: Original Investigation

RT. Thorpe1, AJ. Strudwick1, M. Buchheit3,4, G. Atkinson2, B. Drust1, W. Gregson1

Running Head: Monitoring fatigue in elite soccer players

Word count: 2723

Abstract word count: 177

Methods: Total high-intensity running distance (THIR), perceived ratings of wellness

Results: Fluctuations in fatigue (r=-0.51; large; P<0.001), Ln rMSSD (r=-0.24; small;

particular promise as simple, non-invasive assessments of fatigue status in elite soccer

players during a short in-season competitive phase.

Key Words: Training load, Performance, Recovery, Wellness

recovery is therefore of sufficient importance since an imbalance over extended periods of

time may contribute to potentially long-term debilitating effects associated with

subjective wellness scales. 6 A valid marker of recovery should be sensitive to variability in

may serve as the most effective monitoring tools.

physiological demands between team sports it is important to determine which fatigue

players during a short in-season competitive phase.

during an in-season competition phase.

physician and were deemed to be free from illness and injury.

reliable estimates of instantaneous velocity during acceleration, deceleration, and constant

A psychometric questionnaire was used daily to assess general indicators of player

quality (coefficient of variation 13%, unpublished observations), muscle soreness (coefficient

of variation 9%, unpublished observations), and fatigue (coefficient of variation 12%,

respectively). Countermovement jump (coefficient of variation 4%, unpublished

highest jump was used as the criterion measure of performance.

as previously described. 19,20

refrained from exercise and caffeine at least 24-hours.

Therefore, we used a combination of expert knowledge regarding which variables hold

significance was set at p<0.05 for all tests.

in Figure 1. There was significant day-to-day variation (coefficient of variation) in THIR

the other markers of fatigue measured.

235 m during match-play and recovery/low load days respectively.

a requirement to assess the physiological response in attempt to evaluate athlete adaptation,

across a typical training week.

method to measure variations in the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in an attempt to

single assessment point where negligible relationships were seen. 32 As a consequence, if HR

derived assessments of fatigue/adaptation are to be effective in team sports a higher volume

with the large volume of athletes engaged in team sports. 4

observed (r=0.23) between countermovement jump (CMJ) performance and THIR,

priming/post-activation potentiation effect of the THIR distance on the neuromuscular

neuromuscular system. However, irrespective of the underlying mechanisms, these findings

may limit its application as a monitoring tool in elite soccer.

Perceived ratings of wellness show particular promise as simple, non-invasive

Future research is needed to determine the usefulness of vagal related HRV as a

monitoring tool in team sports

Future research is needed to understand more long-term fluctuations in fatigue

variables in relation to individual load thresholds in elite soccer players.

Perceived ratings of wellness show particular promise as a simple, non-invasive

compared to the other markers of fatigue measured.

input to this article

1. Bangsbo J, Mohr M, Krustrup P. Physical and metabolic demands of training and

27. Al Haddad H, Laursen PB, Chollet D, Ahmaidi S, Buchheit M. Reliability of resting