Monitoring Internal and External Training Loads in Female Artistic Roller Skating: A Longitudinal Study.

Background: Artistic roller skating is a sport that involves high physical demands, particularly in the free skating discipline, where jumps are critical. Managing training loads is essential for optimizing performance and preventing injuries.

Hypothesis: To investigate the internal and external training loads of female artistic roller skating athletes and to analyze the relationships between these loads components.

Study design: Cohort study.

Level of evidence: Level 3.

Methods: A total of 15 female artistic roller skating athletes were monitored over a 4-week mesocycle leading up to the National Championship. Internal training load (ITL) was measured using the session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE), whereas external training load (ETL) was assessed with an inertial measurement unit capturing jumps and energy. Repeated measures analysis of variance (RMANOVA) and correlation analysis were conducted.

Results: The RMANOVA revealed significant differences in monotony and strain of ITL, as well as in the monotony of jumps and energy. Significant correlations were found between ITL and ETL metrics, with higher sRPE and daily ITL associated with increased jumps and energy.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the interrelationships between internal and external load metrics, with higher perceived exertion and daily training loads associated with increased external workload, particularly in jump frequency and energy. In addition, training monotony and strain fluctuated across microcycles, with notable increases observed as the competition approached. These results emphasize the importance of systematically monitoring both internal and external training loads, including monotony and strain, to better understand workload dynamics and guide training adjustments.

Clinical relevance: The findings provide practical insights for coaches on how to balance training intensity and volume to enhance performance and prevent overtraining and injuries.