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Int J Sports Med 2025; 46(05): 356-365
DOI: 10.1055/a-2519-9330
Training & Testing

Optimizing recovery: the impact of training load in elite volleyball players

André Rebelo 
1   CIDEFES, Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Educação Física e Exercício e Saúde, Universidade Lusófona, Lisboa, Portugal
2   COD, Center of Sports Optimization, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal
,
João R Pereira
1   CIDEFES, Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Educação Física e Exercício e Saúde, Universidade Lusófona, Lisboa, Portugal
2   COD, Center of Sports Optimization, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal
3   CIFI2D, Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
,
Gert Vande Broek
4   Department of Movement Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
,
Manuel J Coelho-e-Silva 
5   FCDEF, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
6   CIDAF (uid/dtp/04213/2020), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
,
Marije T Elferink-Gemser
7   Department of Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
,
João Valente-dos-Santos 
1   CIDEFES, Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Educação Física e Exercício e Saúde, Universidade Lusófona, Lisboa, Portugal
2   COD, Center of Sports Optimization, Sporting Clube de Portugal, Lisbon, Portugal
3   CIFI2D, Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
› Author AffiliationsSupported by: Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) 2023.00769.BD
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Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the relationships between training load metrics and various dimensions of recovery over the course of 105 days during the competitive season. This study included 14 elite male volleyball players who participated in 95 training sessions and 18 matches. The session rating of perceived exertion and inertial measurement units were utilized to measure internal and external training loads, respectively. Biological recovery was assessed using the countermovement jump test, while social and psychological recoveries were measured through the RESTQ-Sport. Relationships were examined using linear mixed-effect models to account for repeated measures across players and time points. The results revealed that chronic external training loads negatively influenced the biological recovery, with increases in chronic external training loads associated with a longer time to take-off (β=− 0.008, p=0.03) and a reduced modified reactive strength index (β=− 0.008, p=0.047). Social recovery was influenced by internal training load metrics, with acute internal training loads increasing social stress (β=− 3.512, p=0.034). For psychological recovery, chronic internal training loads and the acute:chronic internal training load ratio were linked to higher emotional exhaustion (β=− 0.013, p=0.029; β=0.021, p<0.001, respectively). These findings highlight the critical role of external load management in the biological recovery and the relevance of subjective internal load measures in monitoring social and psychological recovery dimensions. Coaches are encouraged to integrate time-based neuromuscular metrics and perceptual load assessments into their recovery monitoring protocols to optimize athletes’ well-being and performance.

Keywords

neuromuscular fatigue - athlete well-being - performance metrics - health - sports science

Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 27 November 2024

Accepted after revision: 16 January 2025

Article published online:
13 February 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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