title: Correspondence between training load executed by volleyball players and the one observed by coaches.
abstract: The main aim of this study was to compare the training load (TL) executed by volleyball players with that observed by coaches. Second, we analyzed the influence of the coaches' experience in the estimated TL. Twelve female volleyball players and 4 male coaches participated in this study. During a period of 15 weeks, physical (PT) and technical-tactical training sessions and matches were monitored. In each session, the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) was recorded to analyze the players' exercise intensity and TL(RP)E. Coaches were present in all sessions and rated their estimate of sRPE at the same time as the players to calculate the coaches' TL(RPE). Both players' and coaches' mean sRPE (4.0 ± 1.1, 3.7 ± 1.1, and 3.8 ± 1.0 in players and expert and beginning coaches, respectively) and TLRPE (380.1 ± 106.8, 358.3 ± 110.5, and 359.7 ± 108.0 in players and expert and beginning coaches, respectively) were similar. However, a higher (p < 0.01) sRPE and TL(RPE) were observed in the players during PT. In general, the weekly TL(RPE) variation over the course of this study was similar in players and coaches. The players' sRPE and TL(RPE) were correlated (p < 0.01) with expert and beginner coaches' RPE (r = 0.70 and 0.72, respectively) and TL(RPE) (r = 0.75 and 0.76, respectively). In conclusion, the present findings show the correspondence between players' and coaches' sRPE and TL(RPE) regardless of their experience. Hence, coaches' TL(RPE) could be a useful and practical method to monitor and control the TL and other derived parameters in an easy way during volleyball.
authors.affiliation: 1Department of Physical Education and Sports, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, León, Spain; and 2Department of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, Wisconsin.
authors.forename: Jose A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Marroyo
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Medina
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: García-López
authors.forename: José V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: García-Tormo
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Foster
mesh_terms: D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010465:Perception; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D054798:Volleyball / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult