Variations of training workload parameters between player positions in under-17 elite European soccer team: a full-season

The purpose of this study was to analyse variations in rating of perceived exertion (RPE), session-RPE, training duration, training monotony, training strain, and acute chronic workload ratio (ACWR) between mesocycles and within microcycles during the in-season 2017-18, across player positions in young soccer players. Seventeen young soccer players were evaluated over 50 weeks. The field positions of the players consisted of four central defenders, three wide defenders, four central midfielders, three wide midfielders, and three strikers. There were significant differences between player positions in mesocycle 6 for central defenders vs strikers (p=0.047; ES=4.02 [1.51, 7.96]) on duration of training sessions. The ACWR ratio remained similar throughout the season, between the optimum workload (0.8-1.3). In microcycle analysis, match day minus 3 was the day of the week with the highest values for all variables. The findings of the present study showed no difference between positions, but lower values were found after and before the match, while higher values were found in the middle of the microcycle.