Practical realization of training for athletics

The realization of the training for athletics takes place on the basis of 3 fundamental lines:

Programming
Execution
Control (test)

It is a rather complex procedure which, in simple terms, requires greater attention towards some main factors: quality to train, means and tools, frequency of use in training cycles, levels of development of the quantity and intensity of stimulus.

Periodization of athletics training

The periodization of training is an essential element for achieving the PERFORMANCE goal; be clear, the decisions taken during the initial planning are absolutely indicative, since they represent a simple "trace" of the desired path, and (when necessary) must be reformulated / corrected according to the needs of the moment or period; however, it is necessary that the coach preaches (as precisely as possible) the development of the events, in order to manage in an exemplary manner both the alternation and the continuity of the VOLUME and "INTENSITY" of the training or TRAINING LOAD.
NB. See second periodization scheme Matveev.

Training "load" and training effect for athletics

The load is a parameter that indicates QUALITATIVELY and QUANTITATIVELY the training carried out by the athlete; the load is of 3 types:

External load: QUANTITY of the work done
Internal load: EFFECT of training on the athlete (improvement of conditional and coordination skills)
Psychological load: subjective PERCEPTION of the work done

The external workload can be modulated in the various training MICROCYCLES (6-8 days each) in order to guarantee a GRADUAL increase of the stimulus useful to PROGRESSIVELY improve the physiological adaptations (super-compensation - part of the internal load) without excessively stressing the "athlete (psychological burden tending to over-training).The types of load modulation inside the micro-cycle are:

Constantly increasing load (progression from 1 to 6/8 days)
Alternation of increasing load to stationary load (progression on odd days 1-3-5-7 and steady on even days 2-4-6-8)
Alternation of HIGH and increasing load at stationary load (as above, but significantly increases the load after periods of moderate or low load)
Alternation of high load and low load (progression on odd days 1-3-5-7 and low on even days 2-4-6-8).

As regards the MESOCYCLE (30 days - unit of measurement greater than the micro cycle) of training for athletics, the load can be modulated as follows:

Gradual to small and constant growth step (steady increase from 1 to 4 weeks)
"Wave" growth (see method Matveev - increase from 1 to 2.5 weeks and corresponding decrease)
Growth with "gradual interruptions" (increased exploitation of super-compensation)
Growth with "decreasing external load and increasing internal load"; alternation of microcyls of different entity (eg, decreasing load or from 1 to 4) with the first microcycle of load of the subsequent mesocycle ALWAYS GREATER. In this way, the super-compensation of the discharge micro-cycle of the previous mesocycle is exploited.

We have seen how the "training of athletics" requires a very rigorous method in establishing objectives and means or tools already at the beginning of the competitive season; well, the same applies to the management of microcycles, mesocycles, MACROCYCLES (the latter last from 2 to 4 mesocycles). A further breakdown of the season can be carried out on the basis of the PERIODS:

Introductory period, in which general efficiency is mainly taken care of
Fundamental period, in which the increase of both general and specific training volume is preferred
Special period, in which the intensity is increased in view of the competitive period
Competitive period, in which important competitions are placed and the aim is to reach the maximum and equally long-lasting maintenance of the physical form obtained
Transition period, also called competitive calm; it consists of physical and psychological recovery before the start of another training cycle or season.

This periodization allows you to participate in a single competitive period during the year; if the competitive periods are 2 or more (of which, however, only 1 main), it is better to use the double periodization or the multiple periodization. For example, a double periodization model that foresees the two competitive periods in winter and summer, places the introductory, fundamental and special part preparation in the months from November to January followed by the 1st competition period, at the end of which the cycle starts again (but WITHOUT the introductory period) which ends at the end of August. From September to October there is the only annual period of competitive calm or transition. Ultimately, the double periodization includes a single introductory period and a single transition period, respectively at the beginning and at the end of the season.

Track and field training control

There are some guiding principles which facilitate the evaluation of both the training and the probability of achieving the predetermined hunting goals; the coach must therefore: a) choose the most significant indices to estimate the performance increase (eg., evaluation of maximum strength or threshold anaerobic), b) regularly observe the dynamics and evolution of the psychophysical condition of the athlete, c) compare it to the desired results from the beginning of the programming, d) record the values scrutinized, e) document the salient interventions and any changes to the initial program (through the annual cycle, the quantitative model of the construction system, the program of the great stages of preparation, the athlete's individual card).

Athletics training test

Athletic tests are essential for checking conditional progress in individuals and in the group; they represent:

The control measure of training
The measure of the intensity of the workout
The measure of training recovery

The tests must be scheduled and repeated at the end of each mesocycle or, possibly, at the end of the macrocycle.
NB. The tests ALWAYS adapt and respect the dynamics of the load in the cycle concerned, placing themselves strictly in the week with low or moderate load.

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