Training periodization of professional Australian football players during an entire Australian football league season

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the training periodization of an elite Australian Football team during different phases of the season. Methods: Training-load data were collected during 22 wk of preseason and 23 wk of in-season training. Training load was measured using the session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE) for all training sessions and matches from 44 professional Australian Football players from the same team. Training intensity was divided into 3 zones based on session-RPE (low, <4; moderate, >4 AU and <7 AU; and high, >7 AU). Training load and intensity were analyzed according to the type of training session completed. Results: Higher training load and session duration were undertaken for all types of training sessions during the preseason than in-season (P