Periodization

Dan Wathen, MS; ATC; CSCS,*D; NSCA-CPT,*D; FNSCAThomas R. Baechle, EdD; CSCS,*D; NSCA-CPT,*DRoger W. Earle, MA; CSCS,*D; NSCA-CPT,*D

chapter

19Periodization

Chapter Objectives

• Understand the value, role, and application of periodization in strength and conditioning programs.

• Describe the four periods of the traditional period-ization model.

• Describe the three phases of the preparatory period.

• Relate the four sport seasons to the four periodsof the traditional periodization model.

• Apply program design variables to create a periodized training program.

Key Term

• periodization: Strategy to promote long-term training and performance improvements with preplanned, systematic variations in training specificity, intensity, and volume organized in periods or cycles within an overall program.

Section Outline

• Responses to Training Stress

Responses to Training Stress

• General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS)– Alarm– Resistance– Exhaustion

General Adaptation Syndrome

• Figure 19.1 (next slide)– The slide illustrates the General Adaptation

Syndrome (GAS).– Although the actual dimensions of the curve shown

vary based on the individual athlete, the figure illustrates the three distinct phases of the body’s response to training stress.

Figure 19.1

Reprinted, by permission, from Selye, 1956.

Section Outline

• Periodization Cycles

Key Terms

• macrocycle: Typically an entire training year but may also be a period of many months upto four years (for Olympic athletes).

• mesocycles: Two or more cycles within the macrocycle, each lasting several weeks to several months.

• microcycles: Typically one week long but could last for up to four weeks, depending on the program.

Section Outline

• Periodization Periods – Preparatory Period

• Hypertrophy/Endurance Phase• Basic Strength Phase• Strength/Power Phase

– First Transition Period– Competition Period– Second Transition Period (Active Rest)

Periodization Periods

• Periodization involves shifting training priorities from non-sport-specific activities of high volume and low intensity to sport-specific activities of low volume and high intensity over a period of many weeks to prevent overtraining and optimize perfor-mance.

Matveyev’s Model of Periodization

• Figure 19.2 (next slide)– Matveyev’s model of periodization – Appropriate for novice athletes

Figure 19.2

Adapted, by permission, from Stone and O’Bryant, 1987.

Modification of Matveyev’s Model of Periodization

• Figure 19.3 (next slide)– A modification of Matveyev’s model of periodization– Tailored for advanced athletes

Figure 19.3

Adapted, by permission, from Stone and O’Bryant, 1987.

Periodization Periods

• Preparatory Period– The initial period is usually the longest and occurs

during the time of the year when there are no competitions and only a limited number of sport-specific skill practices or game strategy sessions.

– The major emphasis of this period is establishing a base level of conditioning to increase the athlete’s tolerance for more intense training.

Periodization Periods

• Preparatory Period – Hypertrophy/Endurance Phase

• Very low to moderate intensity (50-75% of the 1-repetition maximum [1RM]) and very high to moderate volume (three to six sets of 10-20 repetitions)

Periodization Periods

• Preparatory Period – Basic Strength Phase

• High intensity (80-90% of the 1RM) and moderate volume (three to five sets of four to eight repetitions)

Periodization Periods

• Preparatory Period– Strength/Power Phase

• High intensity (75-95% of the 1RM, depending on the exercise) and low volume (three to five sets of two tofive repetitions)

Periodization Periods

• First Transition Period– Between the preparatory and competitive periods to

denote the break between high-volume training and high-intensity training

Periodization Periods

• Competition Period– For peaking, athletes use very high intensity (≥93%

of the 1RM) and very low volume (one to three sets of one to three repetitions).

– For maintenance, athletes use moderate intensity (~80-85% of the 1RM) and moderate volume (about two to three sets of about six to eight repetitions).

Periodization Periods

• Second Transition Period (Active Rest)– Between the competitive season and the next

macrocycle’s preparatory period is the second transition period.

– The second transition (active rest) period consists of recreational activity that may not involve resis-tance training.

Table 19.1

Section Outline

• Applying Sport Seasons to the Periodization Periods– Off-Season– Preseason– In-Season– Postseason

Applying Sport Seasons to the Periodization Periods

• Off-Season– Between the postseason and six weeks (although

this varies greatly) prior to the first contest of the next year’s season

Applying Sport Seasons to the Periodization Periods

• Preseason– Leads up to the first contest and commonly contains

the late stages of the preparatory period and the first transition period

Applying Sport Seasons to the Periodization Periods

• In-Season– Contains all the contests scheduled for that year,

including any tournament games

Applying Sport Seasons to the Periodization Periods

• Postseason– After the final contest– Active or relative rest for the athlete before the start

of the next year’s off-season or preparatory period

Macrocycle for Tennis

• Figure 19.4 (next slide)– H = hypertrophy/endurance– BS = basic strength– SP = strength/power– P = peaking– AR = active rest

Figure 19.4

Adapted, by permission, from Chargina et al., 1983.

Macrocycle for a Team Sport

• Figure 19.5 (next slide)– V = volume– I = intensity– Blue line = emphasis on sport technique training or

practice

Figure 19.5

Section Outline

• Undulating (Nonlinear) Versus Linear Periodization Models

Key Terms

• linear: Traditional resistance training period-ization model with gradually progressive mesocycle increases in intensity over time.

• undulating or nonlinear: A periodization model alternative that involves large fluctua-tions in the load and volume assignments for core exercises.

Section Outline

• Example of a Macrocycle– Preseason Mesocycle– In-Season Mesocycle (Competition Period)– Postseason Mesocycle (Active Rest Period)– Off-Season Mesocycle– Reviewing the Macrocycle Example

Example of a Macrocycle

• Based on the preseason resistance training program for scenario A from chapter 15, which focuses on a female college basket-ball center

• Shows a continuation of the training program through the in-season, postseason, and the following year’s off-season

Example of a Macrocycle

• Preseason Mesocycle– Increased intensity of sport-specific training– Resistance training three times per week, focused

mainly on strength and power outcomes– Plyometrics and anaerobic training high priority

Example of a Macrocycle

• In-Season Mesocycle (Competition Period)– Goal to maintain and possibly improve strength,

power, flexibility, and anaerobic conditioning– Resistance training limited to 30 minutes one to

three times per week, alternated with plyometric training

– Majority of the athlete’s time spent on skill and strategy development

Example of a Macrocycle

• Postseason Mesocycle (Active Rest Period)– No formal or structured workouts– Recreational activities at low intensity and volume

• Off-Season Mesocycle– Testing at the beginning and end of the off-season– Resistance training higher priority (example

progresses to a four days per week split program)– Aerobic endurance training and flexibility

Example of a Macrocycle

• Reviewing the Macrocycle Example– For a model like this one to function optimally, the

sport coach and the strength and conditioning professional must plan the program together and share goals and strategies.

– Athletes and events will vary from the example presented.