ArticlePloS one2026
Within-player associations between GPS-derived external training load and heart rate-based internal training load in elite youth male soccer training.
Article in PloS one, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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3 authors.
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Abstract
objectivesThis study examined within-player associations between GPS-derived external training load variables and heart rate-based internal training load during in-season training in elite youth soccer players. A secondary aim was to identify which intensity-based external load variables are independently associated with heart rate (HR) exertion per minute.
methodsEleven under-17 male soccer players were monitored across a nine-week in-season period. 266 player-session observations were included. External training load was assessed using GPS units with integrated inertial sensors, including total distance covered, high-speed running distance, explosive efforts, player load, and their time-normalized derivatives. Internal training load was quantified using heart rate exertion derived from individualized HR zones. Within-player associations were examined using repeated-measures correlations. A linear mixed-effects model was used to examine predictors of heart rate exertion per minute.
resultsHR exertion showed nearly perfect within-player associations with total distance covered (r = 0.921, p < 0.001) and PlayerLoadTM (r = 0.924, p < 0.001), while large associations were observed for high-speed running distance (r = 0.662, p < 0.001) and explosive efforts (r = 0.621, p < 0.001). Intensity-based variables, including total distance covered per minute and explosive efforts per minute, were significant positive predictors of HR exertion·min - ¹.
conclusionsIn elite under-17 youth soccer training, cumulative HR exertion primarily reflects accumulated external training volume, whereas HR exertion·min - ¹ is more closely related to locomotor and explosive action intensity. These findings highlight the need to interpret cumulative and intensity-based internal training load metrics separately in within-player training monitoring.
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