Analyzing NCAA DI Athletes Training Loads
Loading...
Authors
Vanisacker, Sarah
Issue Date
2024-04-04
Type
Language
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Training load for collegiate athletics can vary dramatically. Sudden increases in training load can increase the risk of overtraining and injury. Assessing the relationships between different portions of athletic seasons and training loads can potentially give insight on better training programs which optimize athletic performance while minimizing injury risk. Data were collected from three fall sports teams (field hockey, volleyball and soccer) at a Division I university for the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Data were collected by athletics staff and researchers via the Catapult system. The Catapult was worn on the upper back and tracked f training load, distance covered, running velocity, jumps, change of direction and acceleration during team practices and competitions. Averages of weekly stats for every player will be used for initial analysis. Analyses will be conducted comparing inconference and out of conference games. Additionally, games versus practices will be analyzed to investigate which requires higher effort. We chose the hardest practice as Tuesday across seasons due to it standardly being two days before competition and at least a day after previous competition.
We anticipate that for the volleyball team, their out-of-conference season player load metrics will be highest, while for field hockey and soccer their in-conference player load metrics will be highest. We predict that out-of-conference games will elicit the highest
load measures. We also predict that games will produce higher player training loads than the hardest practice of the week. Finding a relationship between in-season parameters can show potential improvements for injury and overload prevention and help players and coaches get the most out of training and competition.