Comparison of the training load intensity planned by the coach with the training perceptions of the swimming athletes.

Abstract

Aim. This study aims to compare the perception of the intensity of the training load planned by a coach with the training intensity perception of youth swimmers. Methods. The subjects were 17 athletes with a mean age of 15.2±0.57 years, body mass 59.7±5.7 kg and height 170.1±6.3 cm. Every day before the training session, the coach answered the Ratio of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale for his workout planned for that day, and at the end of each session, the athletes answered the same scale. The training sessions were divided as proposed by Foster et al.,8 according to the desired intensity by the coach as follows:RPE<3, lightweight training; 3-5, moderate training; > 5, heavy training. The statistical program SPSS (version 19.0) and a significance level of 5% were used for all analyses. Results. The results indicate that, despite a team of young competitive swimmers who were presented with a consistent and carefully planned training program, there may be differences between the coach’s and athletes’ perceptions, especially in moderate intensity sessions and during tapering. Conclusion. These data reinforce the need for the careful monitoring/control of training loads in order to avoid major differences between these perceptions.