Association Between Session RPE and Edwards’ TRIMP as Indicators of Internal Load in Elite Male Basketball Players

Abstract

Accurate monitoring of internal training load is essential for optimizing performance and minimizing injury risk in elite athletes. Session rating of perceived exertion training load (sRPE-TL) and Edwards’ training impulse (TRIMP) are commonly used methods for quantifying internal training load, yet their relationship in elite basketball remains underexplored. This study examined the association between sRPE-TL and Edwards TRIMP among elite male basketball players during pre-season practice sessions to provide evidence for the convergent validity of sRPE-TL. The sRPE-TL was calculated using session duration and RPE, and Edwards TRIMP was derived from time spent in heart rate zones multiplied by a weighting factor. A strong, statistically significant correlation was found between the variables (r = 0.86, 95% CI [0.82, 0.89], p < .001). Regression analysis indicated that sRPE-TL accounted for 74.2% of the variance in TRIMP (R² = 0.742). Both the slope (p < .001) and intercept (p < .001) of the regression model were statistically significant. Sensitivity analysis using Spearman’s rank correlation confirmed the robustness of the association (ρ = 0.81, 95% CI [0.75, 0.85], p < .001). These findings indicate that sRPE is a convergently valid tool for monitoring internal training load during practices in the pre-season training period in elite basketball, particularly when resource or logistical constraints are present.