# The relationship between training and competition load characteristics of female boxers—a case study based on collegiate boxers

## TL;DR

This study explores how training and competition loads relate in female boxers, considering differences during menstruation and non-menstruation periods.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into the effectiveness of monitoring techniques for load management in female athletes, considering menstrual cycle variations.

## Key findings

- Internal and external loads are consistently positively correlated during training and competition.
- Subjective load (sRPE) is effective for predicting internal load but less so for external load, especially during menstruation.
- Correlations between metrics are generally lower during menstruation compared to non-menstruation periods.

## Abstract

This study examines the relationships between external and internal loads in female collegiate boxers during training and competition, focusing on variations during menstruation and non-menstruation periods. It also evaluates the effectiveness of different monitoring techniques in these contexts, providing guidance for coaches and athletes in load management.

Twenty-one healthy female collegiate boxers participated, recording data across 18 training sessions and 6 competitions over six weeks. The metrics collected included session-RPE (sRPE), Banister’s Trimp, Stagno’s Trimp, moving distance, high-intensity moving distance, physical load, and the ratio of body weight loss. Pearson correlation analyses were applied.

Correlation analysis revealed that internal and external loads are consistently positively correlated during training and competition. Apart from the training phase, where the correlation between sRPE and Stagno’s Trimp was not statistically significant (r = 0.181, p > 0.05), correlations between sRPE and other indicators during both training and competition showed medium to high strength (r = 0.426 ~ 0.880, p < 0.05). During menstruation, the correlations of all metrics were lower than in non-menstruation periods, except sRPE with Banister’s Trimp.

The study highlights that the subjective load sRPE can effectively predict and assess the internal load of female boxers, and is more sensitive to internal loads regardless of menstruation status. However, its application to external loads is limited, and objective measurements are recommended during menstruation.