IMPACT OF TRAINING INTENSITY DISTRIBUTION ON PERFORMANCE IN ENDURANCE ATHLETES

doi:10.1519/R-19725.1

Paper

IMPACT OF TRAINING INTENSITY DISTRIBUTION ON PERFORMANCE IN ENDURANCE ATHLETES

Published Aug 1, 2007 · C. Foster, S. Seiler, A. Lucia

Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

Q1 SJR score

242

Citations

24

Influential Citations

Full textSemantic Scholar

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of 2 training programs differing in the relative contribution of training volume, clearly below vs. within the lactate threshold/maximal lactate steady state region on performance in endurance runners. Twelve subelite endurance runners (who are specialists in track events, mostly the 5,000-m race usually held during spring-summer months and who also participate in cross-country races [9–12 km] during fall and winter months) were randomly assigned to a training program emphasizing low-intensity (subthreshold) (Z1) or moderately high-intensity (between thresholds) (Z2) training intensities. At the start of the study, the subjects performed a maximal exercise test to determine ventilatory (VT) and respiratory compensation thresholds (RCT), which allowed training to be controlled based on heart rate during each training session over a 5-month training period. Subjects performed a simulated 10.4-km cross-country race before and after the training period. Training was quantified based on the cumulative time spent in 3 intensity zones: zone 1 (low intensity; VT), zone 2 (moderate intensity; between VT and RCT), and zone 3 (high intensity; RCT). The contribution of total training time spent in zones 1 and 2 was controlled to have relatively more low-intensity training in Z1 (80.5 ± 1.8% and 11.8 ± 2.0%, respectively) than in Z2 (66.8 ± 1.1% and 24.7 ± 1.5%, respectively), whereas the contribution of high-intensity (zone 3) training was similar (8.3 ± 0.7% [Z1] and 8.5 ± 1.0% [Z2]). The magnitude of the improvement in running performance was significantly greater (p = 0.03) in Z1 (−157 ± 13 seconds) than in Z2 (−121.5 ± 7.1 seconds). These results provide experimental evidence supporting the value of a relatively large percentage of low-intensity training over a long period (−5 months), provided that the contribution of high-intensity training remains sufficient.

RCT

Highly Cited

Study Snapshot

A larger percentage of low-intensity training over a long period improves endurance performance more effectively than moderately high-intensity training, with sufficient high-intensity training included.

PopulationOlder adults (50-71 years)

Sample size24

MethodsObservational

OutcomesBody Mass Index projections

ResultsSocial networks mitigate obesity in older groups.

Sign up to use Study Snapshot

Consensus is limited without an account. Create an account or sign in to get more searches and use the Study Snapshot.

Create an account

Paper

IMPACT OF TRAINING INTENSITY DISTRIBUTION ON PERFORMANCE IN ENDURANCE ATHLETES

Sign up to use Study Snapshot

References

Heart rate response to professional road cycling: the Tour de France.

During the Tour de France, exercise intensity varies significantly between stages and cyclists, with high intensity during time trials and high mountain stages.

Quantifying training intensity distribution in elite endurance athletes: is there evidence for an “optimal” distribution?

Elite endurance athletes train surprisingly little at lactate threshold intensity, with most sessions performed below or with substantial periods above the lactate accommodation zone.

Regulation of energy expenditure during prolonged athletic competition.

Elite professional cyclists adopt a pacing strategy to optimally distribute energy reserves over the duration of each tour, as evidenced by consistent HR patterns across successive grand tours.

How do endurance runners actually train? Relationship with competition performance.

Total training time spent at low intensities may improve performance during highly intense endurance events, especially if the event duration is approximately 35 minutes.

Training and performance characteristics among Norwegian International Rowers 1970–2001

Norwegian rowers winning international medals between 1970 and 2001 experienced a "polarized" training pattern, balancing high volume of low intensity training with regular bouts using 90%-95% of VO2 max.

Citations

Effects of polarized and pyramidal training, with or without mindfulness, on race time and performance in amateur runners: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Polarized and pyramidal training programs, with or without mindfulness, significantly improve race time and performance in amateur runners.

Oxygen Consumption, Ventilatory Thresholds, and Work Zones in Nordic Walking Competitors

Nordic walking competitors can improve their performance by analyzing their heart rates and ventilatory thresholds during competitions.

Polarized training intensity distribution in distance running

Elite distance runners exhibit a polarized training intensity distribution, with most of their training volume sustained at low intensities and some intense interval training at race speeds.

Fractal correlation properties of heart rate variability as a marker of exercise intensity during incremental and constant-speed treadmill running

DFA1 values may not accurately delineate exercise thresholds, but its dependency on intensity and duration supports its potential use in quantifying systemic perturbations during continuous exercise.

The proportional distribution of training by elite endurance athletes at different intensities during different phases of the season

Elite endurance athletes generally perform more low intensity exercise (91%), with cyclists and swimmers performing more moderate intensity (72%) and higher intensity (>16%) training compared to other sports and seasons.

Effects of 24-week Polarized Training vs. Threshold Training in Obese Male Adults

A 24-week polarized training and threshold training program both effectively improve body composition and physical capacities in obese male adults.