Relationship among indices of training and the incidence of illnesses and injuries in elite athletes

Abstract

Members of the U.S. Speedskating Team (n = 5; 1 male, 4 females) were monitored during training in order to evaluate the relationship between training characteristics and the incidence of illnesses, injuries, and complaints. A daily log-questionnaire along with questions regarding illness, injury, muscular aches and pains, and state of mental well-being was completed. Training load, training monotony, and training strain were computed using the session Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) method. The product of the weekly muscular aches and pains and weekly state of mental well being defined the complaint index.