training load and cyclicity
The training load and training content
Sports performance capabilities are developed first of all by the stimuli, which must be dosed in such a way as to have specific training effects. These stimuli are called "training load". This contributes to the development, strengthening and maintenance of the training status.
In training theory, as far as the training load is concerned, there is a precise distinction between external and internal loads.
The external load is overcome every time the barbell is raised in each and every repetition. Furthermore it can be programmed and assessed. It is structurally characterised by the intensity, the duration and the nature of the stimuli.
Each external load produces a specific reaction that brings about physiological and biochemical changes in the body (i.e.: muscular hypertrophy, bradycardia, etc.) defined as internal load.
The latter marks the effort made by an athlete.
The understanding the normative relations between the structure of the external load and the nature of the internal load is one of the key elements in planning an athlete's training, especially when the latter is an adolescent, and therefore still growing.
In this case the stimulus is given by the training load of the "content of the training session", that is to say the sum of the training load delivered at each and every training session, which can be defined by the choice of the of exercises to be done (kind and number), of the workout load, of the number of repetitions, the number of series, the duration of recovery and rest periods and the speed of execution.
Stimulus cycles
Having decided on the "content" of the training session, it is essential to define the appropriate setting in time for the training load.
The training load can be increased from one training session to the next only when the greatest possible extent of supercompensation has been achieved for a given training session.
This entails that the training loads between sessions and microcycles must be increased gradually and progressively, alternated with precise release phases, in which the load must be reduced, and with resting phases. That is when the body goes through the ADAPTING stage, namely when the mechanisms that pay the body back for the work done occur, thereby increasing its functional reserves and preparing the entire biological system for a more challenging task.
This kind of distribution of STIMULUS and ADAPTING stage must occur through a CYCLIC ORGANISATION in order to guarantee the repetition of the stimulus at the appropriate time and to take advantage of the supercompensation.
This organisation must be such that the "content" of each and every workout session be divided into consequential workout cycles (MICROCYCLES), in each of which a number of tasks is administered that constitute a prerequisite for the subsequent ones, so that the training's building processes may be optimised.
Sports performance capabilities are developed first of all by the stimuli, which must be dosed in such a way as to have specific training effects. These stimuli are called "training load". This contributes to the development, strengthening and maintenance of the training status.
In training theory, as far as the training load is concerned, there is a precise distinction between external and internal loads.
The external load is overcome every time the barbell is raised in each and every repetition. Furthermore it can be programmed and assessed. It is structurally characterised by the intensity, the duration and the nature of the stimuli.
Each external load produces a specific reaction that brings about physiological and biochemical changes in the body (i.e.: muscular hypertrophy, bradycardia, etc.) defined as internal load.
The latter marks the effort made by an athlete.
The understanding the normative relations between the structure of the external load and the nature of the internal load is one of the key elements in planning an athlete's training, especially when the latter is an adolescent, and therefore still growing.
In this case the stimulus is given by the training load of the "content of the training session", that is to say the sum of the training load delivered at each and every training session, which can be defined by the choice of the of exercises to be done (kind and number), of the workout load, of the number of repetitions, the number of series, the duration of recovery and rest periods and the speed of execution.
Stimulus cycles
Having decided on the "content" of the training session, it is essential to define the appropriate setting in time for the training load.
The training load can be increased from one training session to the next only when the greatest possible extent of supercompensation has been achieved for a given training session.
This entails that the training loads between sessions and microcycles must be increased gradually and progressively, alternated with precise release phases, in which the load must be reduced, and with resting phases. That is when the body goes through the ADAPTING stage, namely when the mechanisms that pay the body back for the work done occur, thereby increasing its functional reserves and preparing the entire biological system for a more challenging task.
This kind of distribution of STIMULUS and ADAPTING stage must occur through a CYCLIC ORGANISATION in order to guarantee the repetition of the stimulus at the appropriate time and to take advantage of the supercompensation.
This organisation must be such that the "content" of each and every workout session be divided into consequential workout cycles (MICROCYCLES), in each of which a number of tasks is administered that constitute a prerequisite for the subsequent ones, so that the training's building processes may be optimised.
In the world of sports, this kind of organisation of the timing over a long term divided in MICROCYCLES (brief or weekly periods), and MESOCYCLES (medium term or monthly periods, formed by a succession of several microcycles) is called
PERIODISATION
