Download PDF
ABSTRACT
Background
Limited research has integrated these measures to evaluate seasonal workload distribution in NCAA women's soccer. This study examined the distribution of internal and external training load across the preseason, in-season, and postseason phases of NCAA Division II women's soccer.
Methods
A retrospective longitudinal analysis was conducted using FirstBeat heart rate and GPS monitoring data collected from NCAA Division II women's soccer athletes during the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Internal load was quantified using TRIMP, average heart rate (%HRmax), and time spent >85%HRmax. External load was assessed through GPS-derived distance and work rate. Sessions were categorized as preseason, in-season, or postseason.
Results
Preseason had the highest internal load (320 ± 60 AU), compared with in-season (300 ± 52 AU) and postseason (255 ± 48 AU). Preseason TRIMP was significantly greater than in-season (p < .05, d = 0.45) and postseason (p < .001, d = 0.93). Average cardiovascular intensity was highest during the preseason (73 ± 4% HRmax). GPS analysis showed greater preseason distance in 2024 (3.62 ± 0.58 mi) than 2023 (3.19 ± 0.89 mi). Mean peak TRIMP increased from 309.69 AU (2023) to 314.88 AU (2024).
Conclusion
Internal and external workloads were highest during preseason and progressively decreased throughout the competitive season, reflecting a structured periodization strategy that balanced fitness development and competition readiness. Keywords: Internal Load; External Load; TRIMP; GPS Monitoring; Periodization
Keywords: Internal Load; External Load; TRIMP; GPS Monitoring; Periodization