Year of Award

2025

Document Type

Professional Paper

Degree Type

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Name

Integrative Physiology (Exercise Science option)

Other Degree Name/Area of Focus

Integrated Physiology and Athletic Training

Department or School/College

School of Integrative Physiology and Athletic Training

Committee Chair

Charles Palmer

Commitee Members

Mitchell Mussell, Nick Cromidas

Keywords

workload, ACWR, performance, training, management

Subject Categories

Exercise Science | Other Kinesiology | Sports Sciences

Abstract

Load management is an often used and misunderstood term within the realm of sport science. It has been described as the reason behind numerous soft tissue injuries as well as being the reason star athletes sit on the bench for games. This review aims to synthesize the existing literature regarding the workload management paradox within sport. Seminal work in this topic has been gathered mostly by Tim Gabbett in the paper “The Injury Prevention Paradox” where a relationship between fitness gain and fatigue accrued is outlined. This theory was first proposed by Roger Bannister in 1975. This paper focuses on objective measures such as GPS, Force Plates, and Weight Room load. The second option is to use subjective data with surveys and questionaries. The original purpose of this paper was to find evidence to suggest that gathering all these forms of information in to one cohesive state would improve performance and mitigate injury risk. The methods by which research was selected for this topic was, the study or review had to include some metric of measurement from the above listed against a performance or injury related outcome. The major results were that an increase in acute workload compared to the chronic workload overtime at above a 1.3 or below a 0.8 level could lead to maladaptation. However, a lack of formal randomized control trial studies with workload management as the sole intervention was lacking in the literature. The results are still therefore mixed across studies and require further research to synthesize information into a cohesive model. The lack of understanding in the research surrounding workload management will continue to foster misunderstanding in the practical realm and could lead to mismanagement of athlete training.

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