Block-Periodized Training Improves Physiological and Tactically Relevant Performance in Naval Special Warfare Operators

Abstract

Human performance training and prevention strategies are necessary to promote physical readiness and mitigate musculoskeletal injuries of the Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Operator. The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of 2 training programs when performed during a training evolution of Operators. A total of 85 Operators (experimental: n = 46, age: 29.4 ± 5.5 years, height: 176.7 ± 6.4 cm, mass: 86.7 ± 11.6 kg; control: n = 39, age: 29.0 ± 6.0 years, height: 177.1 ± 6.3 cm, mass: 85.7 ± 12.5 kg) participated in a trial to measure the effectiveness of these programs to improve physical, physiological, and performance characteristics. Operators in the experimental group performed a 12-week block-periodized program, whereas those in the control group performed a nonlinear periodized program. Pretesting/posttesting was performed to assess body composition, aerobic capacity/lactate threshold, muscular strength, flexibility, landing biomechanics, postural stability, and tactically relevant performance. The experimental group demonstrated a significant loss in body fat, fat mass, and body mass compared with the control group, whereas aerobic capacity increased for the both groups. The experimental group demonstrated a significant increase in posterior shoulder flexibility and ankle dorsiflexion, whereas the control group had a significant reduction in shoulder, knee, and ankle flexibility. The experimental group also improved landing strategies and balance. Both groups improved upper and lower muscular power and upper-body muscular endurance, whereas only the experimental group demonstrated significant improvements in agility and total body muscular strength. Implementation of a population-specific training program provides structured and progressive training effectively and promotes physical readiness concurrently with tactical training without overload.

Optimising training adaptations and performance in military environment

“…Despite the interference effect in high-fit individuals such as special operators, a well-design periodisation of the training program is required for improving physical performance. Thus, some studies have concentrated on physical training interventions in professional soldiers, mainly in special force operators 25,52,53 and interventions on military occupational specialties, such as load-carriage performance. 54 Abt et al 53 studied the effects of block-periodised and non-linear periodised training in Naval Special Warfare operators with 85 soldiers during 12 weeks.…”

“…Thus, some studies have concentrated on physical training interventions in professional soldiers, mainly in special force operators 25,52,53 and interventions on military occupational specialties, such as load-carriage performance. 54 Abt et al 53 studied the effects of block-periodised and non-linear periodised training in Naval Special Warfare operators with 85 soldiers during 12 weeks. The experimental block training group trained with three 4-week blocks starting with aerobic endurance, muscular strength and coordination training followed by power and strength endurance and mixed endurance training.…”

Changes in strength and power performance and serum hormone concentrations during 12 weeks of task‐specific or strength training in conscripts

“…Similar results have been reported also during US Army Basic Training (Hendrickson et al, 2010; Knapik et al, 2001). Increases in strength and power have also been reported in previously trained warfighters (Abt et al, 2016; Lester et al, 2014; Solberg et al, 2015). The present TS and ST groups showed the highest increase in strength and power measurements, both between the PRE and MID and PRE and POST measurement points.…”

Towards a de facto Nonlinear Periodization: Extending Nonlinearity from Programming to Periodizing

“…Furthermore, we question why block periodization was not considered as nonlinear periodization in previous studies [34], and was considered as a very distinct approach. This study contrasted block and nonlinear periodization, but described that the nonlinear periodization group was practicing under three four-week blocks, and that daily content was equivalent to those used by the block periodized group [34]. Since a similar situation occurred in another study [33], it is evident that the distinction between nonlinear and block periodization is not clear.…”

“…In fact, one study refers to the use of linear and nonlinear periodized programs [32], while another one compares the effects of linear and nonlinear periodized models [33], but neither properly defined those terms. More recently, block and nonlinear periodized training interventions were compared [34], but the nature of the nonlinearity was not defined, and the reasons for using that conceptualization were not explained. In another study, linear periodized resistance training programs were applied at the beginning of each training cycle (using high volume and low intensity, and then shifting towards a reduced volume and increased intensity), while nonlinear programs involved more dramatic variations in training volume and intensity over shorter time periods [15].…”