Mixed

Monitoring accumulated training and match load in football is essential for controlling training demands, optimizing physiological adaptations, and guiding individual athlete performance, yet no consensus exists on the most effective monitoring system or metrics.

Track both external load (distance, speed zones via GPS) and internal load (heart rate, sRPE) across the entire week, not just match days. Since there is no single 'best' metric, consistency in how you measure load week-to-week is more important than the specific device used. Focus on the cumulative effect of training sessions, which make up 80% of the weekly load, to guide individual performance.