Citation

Harrison PW, Johnston RD. J. Strength Cond. Res. 2017; 31(10): 2686-2693.

Affiliation

Australian Catholic University 2Australian Catholic University, Faculty of Health Sciences Brisbane, Australia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, National Strength and Conditioning Association)

DOI

10.1519/JSC.0000000000001829

PMID

28146031

Abstract

Recent research identifies that certain training load (TL) patterns increase the injury risk to athletes. However, physical fitness must also be considered to establish optimal TL patterns. The aim of this study was to identify TL patterns optimal for injury and aerobic fitness by exploring the TL-injury and TL-fitness relationship concurrently over an Australian rules football (ARF) preseason. Individual TL, aerobic fitness and injury data were collected over a 14-week preseason in sixty sub-elite ARF players (age = 21.3 ± 2.9 years). Individual TL, assessed via session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), was compared with non-contact, lower limb soft tissue injury to examine the TL-injury relationship. A 2km time trial was used as the measure of aerobic fitness to examine the optimal TL for aerobic fitness improvement. Aerobic fitness improved by 4.10 ± 2.20% (range = -7.35 - 19.05%) over the preseason. TL between 1600-2000AU per week was associated with the greatest aerobic fitness improvement (ES=0.47-1.01). Players with preseason TL <1250AU per week had the highest injury rate (ES = 0.52-0.62). Large 2-week TL (>4000AU, Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.80) and spikes in weekly TL (15-49%, OR = 3.76) significantly increased injury risk the following week. Performing small amounts of training appears to be the most detrimental to changes in aerobic fitness and injury rate. High TL is not responsible for injuries and are required to maximize improvements in aerobic fitness. However, TL exceeding 2000AU over several weeks may attenuate aerobic fitness improvements and increase injury risk. In addition, large increments in weekly TL also increase injury risk.


Keywords: Australian football;

Language: en