Originally published Sept 1996
Preparation for an athlete aiming to compete at an elite level competition such as the Olympics is a carefully planned operation, yet still open to unexpected “glitches” such as injuries and health problems. The aim of any such plan is to produce maximum performance on the required day, often years in advance of the present. The Melbourne Cup serves as a useful analogy. It’s the race everyone wants to win, competitors are prepared to the minute and it’s usually the only time that true capabilities and form are shown.
Nothing is left to chance. Addressing all aspects required for high level performance, training objectives and strategies are planned for the short, intermediate and long terms. They include consideration of Performance, Tests and standards, Physical, Technical, Tactical and Psychological outcomes. This process of training over various time frames or periods, each with their inherent specific objectives is known appropriately as Periodisation.
The training cycle is based on the concept of a cybergenic system, in which a training load or stimulus is ‘applied’ to the athlete. The response to that stimulus is evaluated, which impacts on the application of the next stimulus or load. Training is regulated by feedback as to how each athlete copes with that training stimulus. The coach “feeds” the system, providing a plan and structure often in consultation with the athlete whose adaptation to, and ultimately whose performance against, these objectives feeds back into the system, regulating it’s progression.
In such a long term preparation, an athlete will incorporate various developmental phases designed to improve and enhance their specific capacities. As such, preparations are not necessarily performance focussed, and at times will be more process versus outcome based (eg an athlete may focus on100m and 200m preparation to develop maximum speed although their longer term objective may be a 400m event). Often the aim of a particular period of training is to improve weaknesses. The completion of physical performance tests or high level competitions may leave the athlete fatigued and in need of recovery and regeneration. An emphasis on improving a particular weakness may make performance sub-standard, yet provide valuable feedback on progress towards the particular objective being emphasised. Further, it may place the athlete in a position where competition is not a high priority or may be missed, although this is not common at international level, as competition provides invaluable exposure and practise in the competitive environment.
Physical, Technical, Tactical and Psychological outcomes all follow basic progression through stages of Preparation/Introduction, Consolidation/Refinement and Mastery. Like any skill, each individual progresses at various rates, which will limit his/her performance at any point in time. An individual may progress rapidly in the physical components of their event, but may struggle technically or tactically. This requires adaptation of the program to redress the limiting weaknesses.
Around competition, the athlete attempts to “Peak”, (to produce their peak performance). This is usually accomplished by a reduction in volume of the overall training load, usually accompanied by an increase in it’s intensity.
Matveev (1965) found only 15-25% of performers participating at the Olympics or World Championships had their best performances coincide with the major championships. Most produced best performances prior to or following . Although the understanding of preparation of a modern athlete is now more complete, many athletes still fail to produce their ultimate performance ‘on the day’. Individualisation is all important.
Performance is still dependent upon individual psychological and physiological abilities, diet, regeneration and skills. High levels of performance are dependent upon the organism’s adaptation to the stressors it is exposed to.
Basic Olympic periodized plans are usually either monocyclic or bicyclic over the four years (the term of an Olympiad). In a monocyclic preparation training factors are increased progressively in a step wise fashion each year. The disadvantage of this system is that it places the athlete under a continuous elevation of stress, without unloading periods where great adaptation and regeneration occurs.
Bicyclic preparations present training loads in an undulatory manner, incorporating unloading phases, with reduced stress placed on the athlete at specific stages.
Most elite performers’ careers would span two Olympiads, and would often follow a monocyclic preparation for the first, followed by the more technical and appropriate bicyclic preparation for the second Olympics.
In a typical bicyclic preparation for a seasoned athlete, the first year after an Olympic preparation is used to provide the basis for the second year. It provides in part a ‘rest’ from which the athlete can recuperate from the heavy stress placed upon the organism during the Olympic year preparation.
The second year of the bicyclic preparation has provision for a number of high performance competitions (often including a World Championship), which allows for the assessment of the athlete’s ability at this stage. This assessment would include consideration of (1) whether the performance and objectives of each of the factors were met and (2) whether adaptations and/or corrections need to be made.
The third year again ‘unloads’ the athlete, in preparation for the Olympic year, although the level of work would usually be higher than that completed during the first year. The volume of work may be high, but the intensity and number of stressful competitions are lower to enhance a relative regeneration phase.
The fourth year attempts to maximise the athlete’s performance through the wisest utilisation of the athletes talents and knowledge. High intensity training, well chosen high level competitions and a usually lowered volume of work combined with a tapering period are standard practise. Significant gains are often made, as may be evidenced with athletes such as Cathy Freeman, with performance often dramatically improving as all aspects of the planning schedule mesh.
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Regards Kym
