Relationship between training load indicators and training periodization during preseason in elite football goalkeepers

Purpose
To examine the training load of goalkeepers in professional football.

Methods
Overall, 74 individual preseason training sessions of 3 clubs’ goalkeepers were analysed with the use of the Global Positioning System. The total of 12 physical parameters (total distance, high speed running, high metabolic load distance, high metabolic load efforts, high metabolic load time, sprint, maximum speed, acceleration, deceleration, impacts, dynamic stress load, and step balances) were compared depending on the perceived exertion by the goalkeepers’ coach (low, medium, or high training load). The ANOVA with post-hoc least significant difference, Bonferroni and Gabriel tests, or alternatively Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used (p < 0.05). The effect size and Pearson coefficients of variation were also calculated.

Results
The dynamic stress load, impacts, acceleration, deceleration, high metabolic load time, and total distance appear to have superior values assigned to the session type with higher workout load design. Unexpectedly, this trend is reverse for maximum speed, sprint, and high speed running load comparisons, although the differences attributed to sprint seem to have no practical value.

Conclusions
Training monitoring is needed to ensure that the load applied matches the intentions of the coach’s prescription and meets the purposes of accurate periodization. This information can be used to better understand goalkeepers’ training load during preseason.