The Acute:Chronic Workload Ratio (ACWR) compares acute load (typically the past 7 days) to chronic load (typically the past 28 days, as a rolling average). A ratio around 0.8-1.3 is considered the ‘sweet spot’ for adaptation with manageable injury risk. Ratios above 1.5 (a sharp spike in recent training relative to what the body is conditioned for) are associated with significantly elevated injury risk in research across many sports. ACWR is widely used in professional sport to manage training load and return-to-play progressions, though its precise application is debated in sports science.
Key points
- Acute (7-day) load ÷ chronic (28-day) load
- Sweet spot: 0.8-1.3
- Above 1.5 = elevated injury risk
- Widely used in pro sport load management
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