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Comparison of Weekly Training Load and Acute: Chronic Workload Ratio Methods to Estimate Change in Training Load in Running.

PMID 38291782 (2024): injury, load — Injury risk (study note for endurance athletes).

Last updated/Feb 23, 2026, 10:34 PM

Study note • PMID 38291782

Comparison of Weekly Training Load and Acute: Chronic Workload Ratio Methods to Estimate Change in Training Load in Running.

Journal of athletic training2024 • DOI 10.4085/1062-6050-0430.23
Evidence C65/100
Action 2: Consider

Worth trying if it fits your goal and context.

ELI5

In plain language

To investigate differences between 4 methods when calculating change in training load: (1) weekly training load; (2) acute : chronic workload ratio (ACWR), coupled rolling average (RA); (3) ACWR,… (randomized trial; n=430 recreational runners).

The abstract suggests a positive effect on Injury risk under the tested conditions. Treat this as a signal, not a guarantee; confirm methods and context in the full paper.

Takeaways

What the abstract suggests

  • Study question: To investigate differences between 4 methods when calculating change in training load: (1) weekly training load; (2) acute : chronic workload ratio (ACWR), coupled rolling average (RA); (3) ACWR,…
  • The abstract suggests a positive effect on Injury risk under the tested conditions.
  • Population: n=430 recreational runners.
  • Protocol cues (title/abstract): 195 km.

Protocol

Protocol (as reported)

  • Intervention/exposure: injury, load.
  • Dose/time/duration cues in abstract/title: 195 km.
  • Outcomes: Injury risk.
  • Replication note: abstracts often omit adherence and timing; confirm details before changing training or supplementation.

Fit

Who it helps, and who should skip it

Who it helps

  • Athletes similar to the study population (n=430 recreational runners) working on injury risk.
  • Athletes who can measure Injury risk with a repeatable workout or time-trial effort.

Who should skip

  • If you have symptoms or conditions that make the intervention risky, get professional guidance.
  • If you’re near race day and can’t safely test, defer the experiment.

Methods

What the study actually did

  • Design: randomized trial.
  • Population: n=430 recreational runners.
  • Outcomes measured: Injury risk.
  • Protocol cues mentioned: 195 km.
  • Source: PubMed PMID 38291782 (2024) — Journal of athletic training.

Results excerpt

What the abstract reports

The difference in the change in training load measured by weekly training load and ACWR methods was high.

Note: excerpts are short; for full context, read the paper.

Limits

Limitations & bias

  • Abstract-only summaries can miss critical details (population, protocol, adherence, and context).
  • Single studies often don’t generalize to your event, history, and training load; treat results as a starting point.
  • If your context differs (elite vs recreational; cycling vs running), adjust expectations and be conservative.
  • This is performance information, not medical advice.

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Sources