Glossary: Acute:Chronic Workload Ratio

Acute:Chronic Workload Ratio expresses the balance between the athlete's short-term (acute, ATL) and long-term (chronic, CTL) workload. The value indicates whether short- and long-term training are in balance. Studies have shown that there is a relationship between A:C ratio and injury risk.

  • … < A:C < 0.80 – undertraining risk
  • 0.80 < A:C < 1.30 – optimal workload
  • 1.30 < A:C < 1.50 – overreaching
  • 1.50 < A:C < … – overtraining risk

Like all TRIMP-related calculations, these calculations are based only on duration and heart rate. Different sports and alternative training can therefore not be given special consideration. Only the total load of the respective days is taken into account, regardless of how this is composed.

See also

References

  1. Gabbett, T.: The training-injury prevention paradox: Should athletes be training smarter and harder?, British journal of sports medicine, volume 50, issue 5, pp. 273-280, 2016, doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095788
  2. ScienceOfSport.com - Acute:Chronic Workload Ratio

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