Controlling the training intensity: Agreement between coaches and young track and field athletes

Abstract

Objective: The aim of present study was to verify the agreement of training intensity estimated

by coaches and perceived by young track and field athletes.

Method: The sample was composed by 50 athletes (25 boys and 25 girls) of under-16 categories (13 – 15 years old) belonging to five distinct teams of track and field and five coaches of each team. All participants have submitted the same experimental protocol of training of running (75, 250 and 1000 m), long jump and shot put. To estimate the intensity of training session was used the method of Rated Perception Exertion training session.

Results: The results have shown high agreement between coaches and athletes regardless the of the Rated Perception Exertion week training (ICC: 0.76; p < 0.01; n = 50). However, when it was analyzed by discipline the training sessions of shot put (ICC: -0.01; p = 0.51; n = 50) and 1000 m (ICC: 0.24; p = 0.16; n = 50) there were not agreement, additionally, to training session of 1000 m coaches underestimate the intensity of training session (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: In conclusion, general the intensity of training session estimated by coaches and perceived by athletes they are agreement, except to the training session of shot put and 1000-m, where the coaches tend to underestimate the intensity of the training session.