Training load monitoring to manage overtraining syndrome and athlete burnout in applied settings

Hannah Elise McGuigan

doi:10.25918/thesis.209

While the research on overtraining syndrome and athlete burnout has increased, a research-to-practice gap exists, where little is known about how practitioners in an applied setting monitor for these two syndromes. This thesis investigates ways to monitor overtraining syndrome and burnout in athletes in applied settings using training monitoring programs. Therefore, this thesis aims to: i) define how training is monitored in practice, ii) identify the challenges of implementing a training monitoring program, and iii) investigate a strategy to improve adherence to a training monitoring program. A systematic review (Chapter 3) was conducted to investigate training monitoring practices used within an applied setting. Workload measures (e.g., training duration) and physiological measures (e.g., heart rate) were commonly monitored. Basic psychological measures, such as wellness questionnaires, were also commonly used. Validated psychological questionnaires and biochemical measures were not often used in practice. The studies presented were limited as they did not report comprehensive details of what was being measured, when, and how the markers were measured. Chapter 4, a survey of monitoring programs in high-performance sport, investigated the practice of training monitoring on athletes addressing these limitations. In line with the findings of Chapter 3, common tools were easy to implement, non-invasive, and inexpensive. The survey also identified that athlete buy-in was considered the main barrier for a practitioner when implementing a training monitoring program. The final study of this thesis (Chapter 5) investigated a strategy to address athlete buy-in and adherence to a training monitoring program through an educational presentation on training load monitoring. No differences were found between the education and control groups on adherence, stress and recovery, or burnout measures. Perceived understanding about training monitoring increased for all participants. Participants indicated that the monitoring system and education were beneficial in creating self-awareness of their training and wellbeing, allowing them to make training adjustments. This study investigated one form of education to optimise adherence; other forms of education, such as in-person delivery or shorter modules may be more appropriate. The findings in this thesis identified the commonly used training monitoring tools, the challenges involved with training monitoring programs, and investigated a possible way to optimise adherence. The findings of this thesis can help direct researchers to improve these practices with the challenges and barriers associated with monitoring in an applied setting in mind. Coaches and athletes can use the findings of this thesis to assess what peers are using and make evidence-based decisions for their monitoring program.

Training load monitoring to manage overtraining syndrome and athlete burnout in applied settings

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Training load monitoring to manage overtraining syndrome and athlete burnout in applied settings

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