###### Abstract  
This study analyzed workload variations (internal, external, and mental) in training sessions based on soccer players' match participation. Thirty-six professional Brazilian players from a single team were categorized into three groups: starter (G1), non-starter (G2) and non-participant (G3) players. Monitoring during sessions involved assessing internal load via perceived exertion, mental load through affective, emotional, and motivational factors, and external load using Global Positioning System devices. On MD+2, starter players exhibited significantly lower values in all categories compared to non-starters (\(p<0.001\)) and non-participants (\(p<0.001\)), while on MD, they displayed the highest values. MD-4 and MD-3 showed no cognitive or emotional load differences; however, variations were observed in RPE, motivation, mental fatigue, and physical metrics. Notably, starters' lowest values occurred on MD-2 and MD-1. Findings emphasize the need to manage starter players' load, implementing recovery strategies for optimal performance. Additionally, tailored tasks should be provided for non-starter and non-participant players to compensate for non-performed efforts during match downtime. This study underscores the significance of an individualized training approach based on players' match participation, contributing valuable insights for optimizing performance and recovery strategies. training load; match quantification; starters; football; team sports +
Footnote †: journal: Medical  
More specifically, [PERSON] et al. [14] analyzed and compared the external load supported by young Spanish soccer players during the different sessions of the typical microcycle (i.e., strength, endurance and speed sessions), in addition to the comparison of these demands with those obtained in competition. These authors reported that external loads were consistently higher during matches when compared with all training sessions. Also, they reported that greater external loads during strength and endurance sessions were observed when compared with speed sessions, with the only difference between strength and endurance sessions obtained in the distance covered above 21 km\(\cdot\)h\({}^{-1}\) in favor of the strength sessions. Despite these promising findings, these authors only analyzed the external load, so future studies based on a holistic load quantification, including internal and mental load, seem necessary. For a better comprehension of the workload supported by soccer players during their practice, prior studies have analyzed the match load considering the players' participation [7; 15]. The aforementioned studies confirmed that starter players met adequate demands and maintained relevant physical condition. However, some authors have revealed that substitute players show reductions in their performance, since they do not seem to reach the minimum weekly load for it [16]. The main characteristic of starters versus non-starters is greater participation (i.e., minutes) during matches, allowing them to accumulate higher physical and physiological loads during the microcycle [17]. As such, it may be necessary to include compensatory training strategies for non-starters to maintain or improve their training status [11]. Thus, [PERSON] et al. [18] are analyzing the different strategies to apply with non-starter players the day after the competition. Due to the importance of the application of these compensatory strategies, it seems necessary to deepen the analysis of the demands imposed on non-starter players in order to optimize these compensatory strategies, and consequently, to improve the non-starters' physical performance. Although previous studies have compared the weekly workload attendance with players' match participation (i.e., starters, non-starters and players who did not participate in the match), the total workload of the microcycle was analyzed [7; 15]. In addition, the aforementioned studies only considered the external load, so holistic day-to-day quantifications are essential.