Strength-training practices across seasonal phases: A cross-sectional survey of Spanish team-sport coaches

Abstract

This cross-sectional study aimed to describe the self-reported strength-training practices of team-sport coaches in Spain across the pre-season, competitive season and transition phases. Strength training is widely recognized as an essential component of team-sport preparation, but evidence on how it is organized across the season in Spanish settings is limited. An online questionnaire (Google Forms) covered general information, planning and periodization, monitoring procedures, phase-specific programming and main challenges. It was distributed through professional networks, social media and email between 28 May and 30 June 2021, using convenience and snowball sampling. Thirty-four male coaches from seven team sports (football,(soccer, basketball, water polo, handball, futsal, rugby and volleyball) were included. Results are reported as counts and percentages with item-specific denominators, and paired frequency responses are described as counts. Thirty-three coaches (97.1%) reported planning strength training, and all 34 selected injury prevention as an objective. Twenty-two of 32 respondents (68.8%) monitored strength training, most often with rating of perceived exertion (20/22)(20/22, 90.9%). The modal response was three sessions per microcycle in pre-season (13/34, 38.2%) and two in the competitive season (13/31, 41.9%). Among the 31 coaches who answered both items, 10 reported fewer sessions in-season, 19 no change and two more (mean difference -0.32 sessions). Three sets per exercise were the modal response in every phase, and free weights were selected by more than 90% of respondents in pre-season and the competitive season. Open-text answers described equipment and resources, time, facilities, and club or staff support as the main challenges. In this small convenience sample, the modal frequency was lower in the competitive season than in pre-season, although most paired responses showed no change. These results describe reported practices and may serve as a reference for coaches to compare their own planning.