title: The Impact of 3 Different-Length Between-Matches Microcycles on Training Loads in Professional Rugby League Players.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the impact of varying between-matches microcycles on training characteristics (ie, intensity, duration, and load) in professional rugby league players and to report on match load related to these between-matches microcycles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Training-load data were collected during a 26-wk competition period of an entire season. Training load was measured using the session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) method for every training session and match from 44 professional rugby league players from the same National Rugby League team. Using the category-ratio 10 RPE scale, the training intensity was divided into 3 zones (low <4 AU, moderate ≥ 4-≤ 7 AU, and high >7 AU). Three different-length between-matches recovery microcycles were used for analysis: 5-6 d, 7-8 d, and 9-10 d.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 3848 individual sessions were recorded. During the shorter-length between-matches microcycles (5-6 d), significantly lower training load was observed. No significant differences for subsequent match load or intensity were identified between the various match recovery periods. Overall, 16% of the training sessions were completed at the low-intensity zone, 61% at the moderate-intensity zone, and 23% at the high-intensity zone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings demonstrate that rugby league players undertake higher training load as the length of between-matches microcycles is increased. The majority of in-season training of professional rugby league players was at moderate intensity, and a polarized approach to training that has been reported in elite endurance athletes does not occur in professional rugby league.
authors.affiliation: Dept of Sport, School of Physical Education and Sport, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moreira
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kempton
authors.forename: Marcelo Saldanha
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Aoki
authors.forename: Anita C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Sirotic
authors.forename: Aaron J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Coutts
mesh_terms: D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000523:psychology; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003163:Competitive Behavior; D005538:Football / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D010465:Perception; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012420:Running; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult