The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of ITL (by session-RPE method), stress tolerance (ST for sources and symptoms; DALDA questionnaire) and symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI; WURSS-21 questionnaire) in 28 young gymnasts (10.7 ± 1.3 years) for 8 weeks. A higher ITL (p < 0.001), lower ST (sources, p = 0.032) were observed for the competition period in comparison with training period without competition; significant correlations (p <0.05; 0.41 to 0.58) between the ITL, ST and URTI were observed . In conclusion, the increase in ITL was accompanied by a reduction in ST for the competition period, suggesting that a higher training load when approaching to competitions would compromise the ST. These results suggest the importance of an appropriate ITL and ST monitoring in order to minimize the chances of undesirable negative adaptive responses, particularly during periods of competition.
Gymnastics; Stress; Monitoring