Between-microcycle variability of external soccer training loads through the evaluation of a contemporary periodisation training model ‘CUPs’

Abstract

Variation in training load is consistently demonstrated within weekly microcycles in soccer, yet less is known of load variations between the same weekday sessions across different microcycles. Our study aim was to examine between-microcycle variability in key measures of external training load. Thirty-seven professional soccer players participated in this observational study which took place across the clubs' initial 8-week in-season mesocycle of the 2022/23 season. During this mesocycle, each 1-week microcycle consisted of four distinct classifications of training session (Matchday (MD)-4, MD-3, MD-2, and MD-1, and one match (Saturday). External load data (total distance, high-intensity (>5.5 m.s) distance, high-intensity accelerations (>3 m/s2), and percentage (%) of maximal speed attained) were collected across 564 training sessions (MD-4 = 123, MD-3 = 148, MD-2 = 130, MD-1 = 163). Data were analysed with mixed linear modelling. When compared to the first microcycle, substantial week-to-week variation was evident for each of the four training session classifications, ranging from 1244 m to 2248 m for total distance, 80 m to 197 m for high-intensity distance, 11 to 25 for high-intensity accelerations, and 10.2 percentage points to 15.4 percentage points for % maximal speed. Our data show that despite training sessions having a consistency of planned training stimulus across an 8-week mesocycle, external load varied between microcycles. Nevertheless, within-player variability on the same day relative to matchday indicated a more consistent stimulus for key training variables relevant to specific training days.