The relationship between acute-chronic training load and wellness & fatigue status in football

This study aimed to examine the effects of acute and chronic training loads (ACWR) on wellness and fatigue levels in young football players. Twenty-one players competing in the Turkish Football Federation Elite Academy leagues participated in the study, and during a four-week training period, training loads, subjective wellness parameters, and neuromuscular fatigue measurements were monitored. ACWR calculations were determined using the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) method, while wellness parameters were collected through daily questionnaires. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to determine the simple linear relationship between the data. The findings revealed a strong positive relationship between weekly training load and ACWR, while no significant relationship was found between wellness parameters and ACWR (p0.05). Especially after match days (MD+2 and MD+3), players’ fatigue levels were found to be high, emphasizing the importance of recovery processes. The results of the study suggest that ACWR alone may not be sufficient in training load management in football players and that additional physiological and subjective parameters should be considered. Accordingly, it is recommended to make planning that reduces training monotony and to individualize load management.