Relationship between methods of training load quantification based on perception of effort and heart rate in young futsal players

Abstract

The aims of this study were to verify the association between the methods of training load quantification session-RPE and training impulse -proposed by Lucia (LuciaTRIMP) -and to describe the training intensity distribution in under-18 semi-professional futsal. Fifteen male players (mean and SD; age: 17 ± 1 years; body mass: 70.4 ± 6.5 kg; height: 175 ± 4 cm and BMI 23 ± 2 kg.m²) performed an incremental treadmill test to determine the ventilatory threshold (VT), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). Only eight athletes had their training loads quantified by means of session-RPE and Lucia methods over a total of 78 training sessions before the main competition of the season. High to almost perfect correlations (r = 0.64 - 0.91) were found between session-RPE and LuciaTRIMP methods. The distribution of the training intensity was, respectively, 76, 18 e 6% of training duration below VT (zone 1), between VT and RCP (zone 2), and above RCP (zone 3). The session-RPE method was highly associated with an objective method of training load quantification. Furthermore, the training sessions of a semi-professional under-18 futsal team showed a decreasing training intensity distribution.