Validation of Internal and External Load Metrics in NCAA D1 Women's Beach Volleyball.

ABSTRACT: Tometz, MJ, Jevas, SA, Esposito, PM, and Annaccone, AR. Validation of internal and external load metrics in NCAA D1 women's beach volleyball. J Strength Cond Res 36(8): 2223-2229, 2022-The purpose of this study was to determine the validity of internal and external load metrics in NCAA D1 women's beach volleyball. Subjects included 13 NCAA D1 women's beach volleyball players (age: 20.3 ± 1.4 years). A total of 578 data points were analyzed from 51 team training sessions, including practice, games, and sport-specific conditioning during the pre-season semester (15 weeks). Data points included Edward's training impulse (TRIMP) (228.0 ± 80.7 arbitrary units [AU]), session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) Load (532.5 ± 232.8 [AU]), distance covered (DC) in meters (2,635.4 ± 884.3 [m]), and daily environmental condition variables {(temperature (76.5 ± 13.7 [°F]), relative humidity (72.5 ± 13.2 [%]), and wet-bulb globe temperature (52.9 ± 19.9 [°F])}. The subjects wore Polar Team Pro heart rate monitors with global positioning system during each session. Subjects completed an sRPE questionnaire after every session. Pearson product moment correlations yielded statistically significant relationships (p < 0.01) between TRIMP and sRPE Load (r = 0.81), TRIMP and DC (r = 0.78), and sRPE Load and DC (r = 0.82). A forward selection multiple regression yielded that sRPE Load could predict TRIMP with the equation: TRIMPTometz = 78.735 + (sRPE Load * 0.28) (p < 0.001). These findings support sRPE Load as a valid alternative to TRIMP when monitoring internal loads in NCAA D1 women's beach volleyball. Session rating of perceived exertion Load may be more practical and accessible for teams. Distance covered should be considered when periodizing and monitoring training loads because of its relationship with internal loads.

Evaluation of Mental Health Effects of a Mindfulness Workshop with Health Professions Students.

Our interprofessional team examined the mental health effects of a pilot mindfulness meditation workshop for college students (n = 39) from 4 health professions. A mixed-methods survey examined students' self-compassion (short form; SCS-sf), perceived stress (PSS-10), and self-reported mindfulness behaviors pre-workshop and at 2 months. The survey captured attitudes, beliefs, and intentions to continue mindfulness practices over time and perceived barriers to mindfulness practice. Participants (69%; 27/39) indicated significantly improved SCS-sf (p=0.016) and significantly reduced PSS (p=0.009) at 2 months post-workshop. Students reported improved mental health after 2 months, but the small sample size limits generalizability of findings. Interprofessional education promoting mindfulness skills may help prevent burnout and empathy fatigue for health professionals entering the workplace.