Abstract des Autors

We aimed to investigate the contextual factors influencing training load (TL), as determined by session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE-TL), accumulated within a match-to-match microcycle in rugby union players. Session rating of perceived exertion-TL data were collected daily from 35 professional rugby union players from the same team in the English Championship over the course of an in-season period. Players were split by positional groups (backs and forwards) and sRPE-TL data were categorized as: field-based on-feet sRPE-TL (sRPE Field-TL), gym-based sRPE-TL (sRPE Gym-TL), and the total summation of both (sRPE Total-TL). Three 2-level linear mixed models were built for each dependent variable in each positional group, with magnitude-based inferences applied. Long between-match recovery cycles (≥7 days) resulted in very likely to almost certainly small to moderate increases in sRPE-TL for all modalities and positions (fixed effect [mean range] = 28.5%–42.0%), apart from sRPE Field-TL for forwards. For backs, there was a very likely small decrease in sRPE Field-TL as the season progressed (−16.7% per trimester). Losing the last league match was associated with very likely and almost certainly small decreases in sRPE Total-TL and sRPE Gym-TL for backs (−20.7% and −36.4%, respectively). Losing the last match in any competition resulted in a very likely small increase in sRPE Field-TL (21.2%) and a possibly small decrease sRPE Gym-TL (−18.5%) for backs—with a likely smaller sRPE Gym-TL for forwards (−33.4%). The strength of the upcoming opposition had no effect on sRPE-TL. Our findings highlight some of the multifactorial contextual factors that must be considered when planning and evaluating training microcycles.