Training Distribution, Physiological Profile, and Performance for a Male International 1500-m Runner

Abstract

This case study observed the training delivered by a 1500-m runner and the physiological and performance change during a 2-y period. A male international 1500-m runner (personal best 3:38.9 min:s, age 26 y, height 1.86 m, body mass 76 kg) completed 6 laboratory tests and 14 monitored training sessions, during 2 training years. Training distribution and volume was ascertained from training diary and spot-check monitoring of heart rate and accelerometry measurements. Testing and training information were discussed with coach and athlete from which training changes were made. In the first training year, low-intensity training was found to be performed above the prescribed level, which was adjusted with training and coach support in y 2 (training zone < 80% of vVO2max, y 1 = 20%; y 2 = 55%). “Tempo” training was also performed at an excessively high intensity (Δ [blood lactate] 5–25 min of tempo run, y 1 = Δ6.7 mM, y 2 = Δ2.5 mM). From y 1 to 2, there was a concomitant increase in the proportion of training in the high-intensity zone of 100 to 130% vVO2max from 7 to 10%. Values for VO2max increased from 72 to 79 mL · kg−1 · min, economy improved from 210 to 206 mL · kg−1 · min, and 1500-m performance time improved from 3:38.9 to 3:32.4 min:s from the beginning of y 1 to the end of y 2. This case shows a modification in training methodology that was coincident with a greater improvement in physiological capability and furtherance in performance improvement.

Alterations in Redox Homeostasis in the Elite Endurance Athlete

“…In addition, the improvements in performance in the cyclists after the 1-week taper differed across groups, thus demonstrating that the group responses to the overload week and tapering were not comparable, and pooling of the data may have masked important individual differences. In the elite athlete setting, training programmes, nutritional and medical interventions and monitoring programmes are individualised to the elite athlete in order to optimise outcome [149][150][151][152][153]. In summary, ARH may occur in response to training taper, with marked interindividual variation, which maybe attenuated in athletes with a higher training status; however, no studies exist in elite athletes.…”

Six weeks of a polarized training-intensity distribution leads to greater physiological and performance adaptations than a threshold model in trained cyclists

“…However, other studies (33,57,58) have observed increased PPO and mean power sustainable during a 40-km time trial (40-km TT) when high-intensity interval work (zone 3 training) is incorporated into the schedules of already well-trained cyclists; i.e., when the cyclists adopted a more polarized training-intensity distribution. In addition, the change of intensity distribution toward a more polarized model has been shown to improve maximal oxygen consumption, running economy, and running performance in a case study of an international 1,500-m runner (27). Indeed, the powerful stimulus afforded by short-term, high-intensity interval work for promoting metabolic and performance adaptations has also been demonstrated in studies on trained-cyclist (51), healthy-active (52), and sedentary (23) men and women.…”

Effects of Different Training Intensity Distribution in Recreational Runners

“…In recent years many studies have suggested that training intensity distribution plays a key role on endurance training adaptation not only in elite (Seiler and Kjerland, 2006;Seiler et al, 2007;Laursen, 2010;Seiler, 2010;Ingham et al, 2012), but also in well-trained recreational athlete (Esteve-Lanao et al, 2005, 2007Neal et al, 2013;Muñoz et al, 2014;Stöggl and Sperlich, 2014).…”