La percepción subjetiva del esfuerzo para el control de la carga de entrenamiento en una temporada en un equipo de balonmano

The aim of this research is to study the applicability of the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) from a double perspective. Firstly, RPE helps coaches monitor training load over a season in team sports. Secondly RPE is used as an ad hoc tool for daily monitoring of planned training by the coaching staff. Heart rate reserve (HRR) was used to regulate the internal load of each session. Thirteen players from a Top Division Handball team participated in the research carried out over a complete season. The results showed RPE is a good indicator of training load in team sports and RPE is also a valid procedure to compare load values planned by coaches (RPEp) with actual values (RPEg) (rxy = .792; p < .01). It can be concluded that RPE and HRR (rxy = .839; p < .01) together are reliable, non-invasive measures for monitoring training load and they also help determine the physical fitness of players throughout the season