Research Information System
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SPORT, EXERCISE AND TRAINING SCIENCES, vol.11, no.3, pp.301-308, 2025 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
Aim: This study aimed to analyze the relationships between internal and external load variables observed during training and competition sessions in elite female volleyball players. The findings are expected to contribute to injury risk reduction and performance enhancement by providing a more holistic approach to load monitoring. Methods: Twelve elite female volleyball players (height=184.3 ± 4.66 cm; age=26.5±4.46 years; body weight=75.2±6.43 kg; body fat percentage=17.9±5.04%) participated in this experimental study. Over a 5-week period, the following variables were measured during training and competition: Training Impulse (TRIMP), Mean Heart Rate (HRmean), Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE), Jump Count (JC), and Jump Frequency (JF=JC/min). Relationships among variables were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficients (p<0.05). Group comparisons were conducted using the General Linear Model Univariate Procedure. Results: During training and matches, Training Impulse (TRIMP) was correlated with Jump Count (JC) (training r=0.38; match r=0.72), Jump Frequency (JF) (training r=0.12; match r=0.69), Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) (training r=0.36; match r=0.41), and Mean Heart Rate (HRmean) (training r=0.73; match r=0.92). Setters showed significantly higher Jump Count (JC) and Jump Frequency (JF) values compared to other positions (p<0.001). Training Impulse (TRIMP) and Mean Heart Rate (HRmean) values were higher during matches, whereas Jump Count (JC), Jump Frequency (JF), and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) values were higher during training. Conclusion: The relationships between internal and external load parameters emphasize the importance of monitoring both physiological and mechanical loads. Additionally, the positional and session