Training Load and Maturation Monitoring: An investigation into the perceived knowledge, confidence, perceptions, and attitudes of UK-based youth academy soccer coaches

Within youth soccer academies, sport scientists monitor training load and maturation to support data-informed decisions on player development and injury risk, yet the extent to which coaches integrate this data remains unclear. This study investigated youth academy soccer coaches’ perceived knowledge, confidence, attitudes, and perceptions of training load and maturation monitoring. A mixed-methods, cross-sectional online survey was distributed via social media and to professional academy clubs, with 107 coaches responding. The 36-item survey gathered data on coaching backgrounds, perceived knowledge, confidence, attitudes, and perceptions toward monitoring practices. Significance was accepted at a p < 0.05. Perceived knowledge of training load monitoring was significantly influenced by academy category (ƞ² = 0.057), employment status (d = 0.673), and coaching experience (ƞ² = 0.057), with Category 1, full-time, and more experienced coaches (4-6 and ≧7yrs) reporting significantly greater perceived knowledge. For maturation monitoring, employment status (d = 0.569) and coaching experience (ƞ² = 0.091) were significant factors, with full-time and more experienced (4-6 and ≧ 7yrs) coaches reporting greater perceived knowledge. Greater confidence in training load monitoring was reported by Category 2 (ƞ² = 0.064) and full-time coaches (d = 0.454), while confidence in maturation monitoring was higher among full-time (d = 0.550) and more experienced coaches (ƞ² = 0.093). Coaches valued training load monitoring for injury prevention and maturation monitoring for player development, but faced challenges with education, communication, and resources. Findings highlight the need for focused coach education for monitoring practices, particularly among part-time and less experienced coaches in lower-category academies.