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Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate the ideal training load to be applied during periods of fixture congestion to ensure an adequate dose-response effect for performance maintenance.Methods: Match performance data and corresponding pre-match training load sessions (both N = 498 match performance cases and training-block session cases) were collected (with the catapult system, VECTOR7) from 36 male professional soccer players (23.5 ± 5.2 years; 178 ± 4 cm; 75.5 ± 6.0 kg) belonging to the Brazilian First Division team during the 2022 season. The following data were collected in match and training sessions: jump, acceleration, deceleration, and change of direction (COD); running distance producing metabolic power at different intensities (>20, >20–35, >35–45, >45–55, and >55 W kg−1), total distance (m), relative distance (m/min), running distance at different speeds (>20, >25, and >30 km/h), number of sprints (running >25 km/h), and maximum speed (km/h). Mixed linear model (MLM), decision tree regression (DTR), and cluster K means model (SPSS v.26) approach were performed to identify the most critical variables (and their respective load) in the training sessions that could explain the athlete’s match performance.Results: MLM and DTR regression show that training load significantly affects game performance in a specific way. According to the present data, an interference phenomenon can occur when a high load of two different skills (running in a straight line vs COD, deceleration, and jumping) is applied in the same training block of the week. The cluster approach, followed by a chi-squared test, identified significant associations between training load and athlete match performance in a dose-dependent manner.Discussion: The high load values described here have a beneficial effect on match performance, despite the interference between stimuli discussed above. We present a positive training load from a congested season from the Brazilian First Division team. The study suggests that an interference effect occurs when high physical training loads are applied to different specific physical skills throughout the season.

The current study described the training load and intensity distribution of 30 elite Under 20 soccer players (17.9 ± 0.6 years, 180.3 ± 5.7 cm, 73.7 ± 8.8kg) from a 3-time FIFA Club World Cup champion. Session-rating of perceived exertion (s-RPE), internal training load (ITL) and monotony were recorded across 40 training sessions. Mixed-effects modeling was used for data analysis. The athletes performed 33.0 ± 6.9 out of 40 planned training sessions. Most common reasons for absence from training included sickness or minor injuries. Overall, these training sessions summed 2928.7 ± 627.6 minutes. Athletes performed significantly more training sessions at low and moderate intensity zones than at high-intensity zone (p