Modeling the residual effects and threshold saturation of training: a case study of Olympic swimmers.
The aim of this study was to model the residual effects of training on the swimming performance and to compare a model that includes threshold saturation (MM) with the Banister model (BM). Seven Olympic swimmers were studied over a period of 4 +/- 2 years. For 3 training loads (low-intensity w(LIT), high-intensity w(HIT), and strength training w(ST)), 3 residual training effects were determined: short-term (STE) during the taper phase (i.e., 3 weeks before the performance [weeks 0, 1, and 2]), intermediate-term (ITE) during the intensity phase (weeks 3, 4, and 5), and long-term (LTE) during the volume phase (weeks 6, 7, and 8). ITE and LTE were positive for w(HIT) and w(LIT), respectively (p < 0.05). Low-intensity training load during taper was related to performances by a parabolic relationship (p < 0.05). Different quality measures indicated that MM compares favorably with BM. Identifying individual training thresholds may help individualize the distribution of training loads.
Hellard
Philippe
P
Research Department of the French Swimming Federation, France.
Avalos
Marta
M
Millet
Gregoire
G
Lacoste
Lucien
L
Barale
Frederic
F
Chatard
Jean-Claude
JC
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology*