A Theoretical Basis of Monitoring Fatigue: A Practical Approach for Coaches

Training can be described as a process that induces biological adaptations The basic principle of training is that training (breakdown) is followed by rest (recovery) which results in an improvement in performance. An imbalance in the training load and recovery time can result in symptoms of fatigue. If the imbalance between training and rest persists, the athlete may develop serious symptoms of fatigue that will affect the ability to sustain a high training volume and will have a negative effect on performance. While it is important for a coach to have a training plan, it is also important to be able to adjust the plan based on how the athlete is adapting. A coach needs to be able to answer a series of questions in order to make decisions about training prescription. Information to assist the coach in answering these questions can be acquired from various measurements including perception of effort, session RPE, recovery scales, Profile of Mood States (POMS), Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes (DALDA), assessment of muscle soreness and recovery heart rate. This information can guide decision-making about training and reduce the risk of under or overtraining.