Is Coaches' Perceived Team Performance Associated with Training Load and Fatigue in Spanish Semi-Professional Soccer?
- 1Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain.
- 2Institute for Research and Innovation in Sport, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain.
Abstract
Objectives: This study investigated the influence of coaches' perceived team performance on training load and fatigue across the weekly microcycle in semi-professional soccer players. Methods: Twenty-four players were monitored over 183 training sessions during a 34-week competitive period in the Spanish fourth-tier league. External load was assessed using 10 Hz GPS devices, while internal-load-related, mental-load-related variables, and wellness were measured using validated self-report questionnaires. Coaches' evaluations of team performance following matches were also included as a key variable. Results: No statistically significant associations were detected between coach-perceived performance and any external load variable after adjustment for multiple testing. Also, no significant associations were observed between perceived performance and internal or mental load. No significant associations were detected for wellness variables. However, weekly comparisons showed that microcycles following good perceived performance involved lower accumulated external load than those following medium or poor performance. No statistically significant differences were detected between conditions for internal-load-related, mental-load-related variables, or wellness. Conclusions: In this single semi-professional male team, lower accumulated external load was observed in microcycles following good perceived performance, whereas no corresponding differences were detected in internal load, mental load, or wellness. These preliminary associations require confirmation in multi-team designs.
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BibTeX
@article{polotejada2026coaches,
title = {{Is Coaches' Perceived Team Performance Associated with Training Load and Fatigue in Spanish Semi-Professional Soccer?}},
author = {Jorge Polo-Tejada and David Lobo-Triviño and Rosa Ayuso-Moreno and Borja Sanabria-Pino and Ana Rubio-Morales and José Carlos Ponce-Bordón},
journal = {Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/jfmk11040375},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924654},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Is Coaches' Perceived Team Performance Associated with Training Load and Fatigue in Spanish Semi-Professional Soccer?
AU - Jorge Polo-Tejada
AU - David Lobo-Triviño
AU - Rosa Ayuso-Moreno
AU - Borja Sanabria-Pino
AU - Ana Rubio-Morales
AU - José Carlos Ponce-Bordón
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/22
JO - Journal of functional morphology and kinesiology
DO - 10.3390/jfmk11040375
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42924654
AB - Objectives: This study investigated the influence of coaches' perceived team performance on training load and fatigue across the weekly microcycle in semi-professional soccer players. Methods: Twenty-four players were monitored over 183 training sessions during a 34-week competitive period in the Spanish fourth-tier league. External load was assessed using 10 Hz GPS devices, while internal-load-related, mental-load-related variables, and wellness were measured using validated self-report questionnaires. Coaches' evaluations of team performance following matches were also included as a key variable. Results: No statistically significant associations were detected between coach-perceived performance and any external load variable after adjustment for multiple testing. Also, no significant associations were observed between perceived performance and internal or mental load. No significant associations were detected for wellness variables. However, weekly comparisons showed that microcycles following good perceived performance involved lower accumulated external load than those following medium or poor performance. No statistically significant differences were detected between conditions for internal-load-related, mental-load-related variables, or wellness. Conclusions: In this single semi-professional male team, lower accumulated external load was observed in microcycles following good perceived performance, whereas no corresponding differences were detected in internal load, mental load, or wellness. These preliminary associations require confirmation in multi-team designs.
SN - 2411-5142
ER -