Load management and optimising performance in elite sport. External and internal loads during team handball training and matches were examined in professional highly training male team handball players (n*=*13) over a*~*4-month period encompassing pre- and competitive seasons to evaluate within-week variations and differences between pre-season and competitive season. External load was assessed using inertial measurement units (IMU), while internal load was evaluated using session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE). Mixed model analyses were employed for statistical analysis. Results showed that load peaked on MD*+*2 and MD*-3, followed by a decline towards MD-1. Significant reductions (p*<*0.05) were observed in total distance (mean±SE: 5129*±*183 and 5390*±*159 vs. 3171*±*126*m, MD*+*2, MD*-3 vs. MD-1), accumulated acceleration load (610*±*21 and 644*±*18 vs. 407*±*15 au), and acceleration distance high (679*±*52 and 854*±*45 vs. 294*±*36*m) reflecting a structured tapering approach, whereas sRPE load was unchanged (350*±*31 and 337*±*26 vs. 273*±*21 au, p*>*0.05). Peak load was not observed at MD. Pre-season values were for most variables like early week training sessions indicating a focus on pre-season fitness improvements and maintenance in early-week sessions. This study showed how training load in professional highly trained team handball was distributed to stimulate maintenance of fitness while securing readiness for matches.
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