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Monitoring for overreaching in rugby league players

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify indicators of non-functional overreaching (NFOR) in team sport athletes undertaking intensive training loads. Eighteen semi-professional rugby league players were randomly assigned into two pair matched groups. One group completed 6 weeks of normal training (NT) whilst the other group was deliberately overreached through intensified training (IT). Both groups then completed the same 7-day stepwise training load reduction taper. Multistage fitness test (MSFT) performance, \( \ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{V}{\text{O}}_{{2\max }} \), peak aerobic running velocity (V max), maximal heart rate, vertical jump, 10-s cycle sprint performance and body mass were measured pre- and post-training period and following the taper. Hormonal, haematological and immunological parameters were also measured pre-training and following weeks 2, 4 and 6 of training and post-taper. MANOVA for repeated measures with contrast analysis indicated that MSFT performance and \( \ifmmode\expandafter\dot\else\expandafter\.\fi{V}{\text{O}}_{{2\max }} \) were significantly reduced in the IT group over time and condition, indicating that a state of overreaching was attained. However, the only biochemical measure that was significantly different between the IT and NT group was the glutamine to glutamate (Gln/Glu) ratio even though testosterone, testosterone to cortisol (T/C) ratio, plasma glutamate, and CK activity were significantly changed after training in both groups. Positive endurance and power performance changes were observed post-taper in the IT group confirming NFOR. These changes were associated with increases in the T/C ratio and the Gln/Glu ratio and decreases in plasma glutamate and CK activity. These results indicate that although there was no single reliable biochemical marker of NFOR in these athletes, the Gln/Glu ratio and MSFT test may be useful measures for monitoring responses to IT in team sport athletes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Leisure, Sport and Tourism, University of Technology, Sydney, Kuring-gai Campus, P.O. Box 222, Lindfield, NSW, 2070, Australia

    Aaron J. Coutts

  2. School of Health and Human Performance, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia

    Peter Reaburn & Greg J. Rowsell

  3. School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia

    Terrence J. Piva

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  1. Aaron J. Coutts
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  2. Peter Reaburn
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  3. Terrence J. Piva
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  4. Greg J. Rowsell
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Correspondence to Aaron J. Coutts.

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Coutts, A.J., Reaburn, P., Piva, T.J. et al. Monitoring for overreaching in rugby league players. Eur J Appl Physiol 99, 313–324 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-006-0345-z

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