POMS WITH ELITE CANOEISTS
Berglund, B., & Safstrom, H. (1994). Psychological monitoring and modulation of training load of world-class canoeists. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 26(8), 1036-1040.
Elite athletes normally are characterized by a lower total mood score of the POMS, higher vigor, and lower fatigue than in non-athletes. This is often called the "iceberg profile" and has been found in some elite and non-elite athletes. In athletes it is often proposed that a dose-response relationship between training stress and mood state exists. Overstressed athletes have displayed a disturbed POMS test response, the "inverted iceberg profile."
Swedish well-trained and world-class canoeists (M = 9, F = 5) were measured three times in the off-season and weekly during serious training (May until early August, 1992). Total POMS scores were calculated as: Sum the 5 negative measures, subtract vigor, and add 100.
The following were found.
Implication. POMS as a measure of training load response may not be as sensitive as commonly espoused when subjects are elite athletes. A low relationship between load (dose) and global POMS scores was revealed in some athletes.
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