Progression in training volume and perceived psychological and physiological training distress in Norwegian student athletes: A cross-sectional study

PLoS One. 2022 Feb 4;17(2):e0263575. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263575. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined self-reported weekly training volume and perceived training distress in Norwegian student athletes according to gender, type of sport, school program, and school year. The Norwegian version of the Multicomponent Training Distress Scale (MTDS-N) was completed by 608 student athletes (M age = 17.29 ± .94). Univariate and multivariate techniques were used in data analyses. Results revealed significant differences in weekly training volume between sport types. No significant differences in weekly training volume were found for gender, school year, or school program. However, a multivariate effect was found for gender, with females perceiving higher levels of training distress than males. A multivariate interaction effect between school year and training volume was also observed. We recommend that practitioners use a conceptual framework to periodize training and monitor training distress in student athletes, particularly in females, to preserve physiological and psychological well-being and ensure a progressive training overload leading to positive performance development.

MeSH terms

  • Athletes / psychology
  • Athletic Performance*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Exercise*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Norway
  • Perception
  • Psychological Distress*
  • Sex Factors
  • Sports / psychology
  • Stress, Physiological*
  • Students / psychology
  • Treatment Outcome

Grants and funding

The author(s) received no specific funding for this work.