Guidelines for compiling a workout

How each single workout is compiled is a matter of a coach's personal creativity. Every coach develops his/her own style based on personal experience and accumulated knowledge. Therefore, there is a huge variety of versions even within a given sport. At the same time a number of general guidelines can be offered

irrespective of sport. They are highlighted below.

The BPC postulates a reduction in the number of targeted abilities that can be developed simultaneously. However, a unidirectional training design is the privilege of only a very few sports where the number of targets is very limited (for instance, weightlifting does not require the development of many abilities; maximal and explosive strength are dominant and various modes of endurance are unnecessary). The other cases presuppose a sequencing of different workloads within a single workout. From this viewpoint it is important to determine which exercises are preferable for the initial part and which belong in other parts of the workout. The general approach to this choice is based on the physiological demands of various exercises taking into account optimal conditions for best performance (Figure 5.3). Insert Figure 5.3 about here

As can be seen from the above diagram, several targeted abilities can be successfully developed when the athlete is well rested or slightly fatigued. These include motor tasks, whose performance requires central nervous system (CNS) to be in an optimal state. Exercises for maximal speed, explosive strength, acquisition of new technical skills, and drills to improve neural mechanisms of maximal strength (1- 3 RM) require appropriate excitatory neural output that are not available in fatigued athletes. Moreover, fatigued athletes can not respond effectively to these workloads due to inhibitory output from the CNS. Similarly, the highly intensive exercises for anaerobic glycolitic power presuppose availability of sufficient energy resources, which are reduced in fatigued athletes. Exercises for anaerobic glycolitic capacity (speed endurance) demand sustained fatigue despite pronounced accumulations of acid metabolites in muscles and blood. Therefore, a certain level of fatigue is expected and even planned.

The acute effect of aerobic power workloads depends on the total duration of exercises performed near to maximal oxygen uptake level. Moderately fatigued athletes can still sustain this metabolic level and, therefore, such dosage can be recommended. Similarly, the acute effect of hypertrophy strength exercising depends on the total amount of degraded muscle protein (rate of catabolism) and the

magnitude of mechanical work performed (Zatsiorsky, 1995). Hence, a large amount of high resistance effort is required and, obviously, the last part of these workloads are performed when athletes are fatigued (but not exhausted).

Example. Imagine an athlete who performs large volumes of endurance exercises

but needs to maintain his level of muscle mass and strength ability (this is highly typical of endurance sports). The problem is to find appropriate time for the anabolic strength workout so that it will not interfere with the dominant aerobic work and will not detract from fine movement technique. The coach received a recommendation to plan this workout after the medium load endurance session and was very surprised. He knew that maximal strength workout demands “prime time” of rested athletes. This is actually correct, but for strength exercises

intended to enhance neural mechanisms (such as 1-3RM). Another goal of the workout is to attain muscle hypertrophy (like 8-10RM), where the crucial factor is not the athlete’s state before workout but recovery conditions after workout in order to provide the anabolic effect. Hence, such sequencing is reasonable and acceptable in practice.

The exercises for strength endurance and aerobic endurance demand sustained efforts despite accumulated fatigue and therefore should be continued as long as possible. The general rule is that motor learning demands optimal state of the CNS and energy recourses; however, several technical features can be improved in highly exhausting workloads. For instance, fatigue tolerance of motor skill, movement economy and technique stability in unfavorable fatigued conditions can be enhanced only in an appropriate state, which should be consciously programmed. Hence, some part of technique perfection can be performed by fatigued athletes. Similarly,

stretching exercises are recommended for use in any part of the workout: at the beginning as a part of warm-up, in the middle as active restoration and for improving flexibility, and in the end as a component of cooling down.

5.3.2 Compatibility of different exercises

The compatibility of various exercises with different training modalities within a single workout and within a workout series, is an extremely important factor determining acute and immediate training effects. Negative interaction of several immediate training effects is one of typical disadvantages of the traditional

periodization system. Indeed, the complex approach to training design presupposed the administration of exercises with different training modalities in a single workout. For a long time prominent coaches in most sports criticized and refused to implement this approach for high-performance training. The Block Periodization system utilizes a selective but not complex approach to each single workout, where carefully selected training modalities in compatible combinations are planned.

The diagram in Figure 5.4 displays the main compatible combinations of the dominant training modality with several additional ones in a single workout.

Insert Figure 5.4 about here

The compatible combinations need to be clarified:

1) According to the BPC, the workout program should contain no more than three training modalities (usually one dominant, the second one – compatible with the main purpose, the third one – a modality of technique/tactic improvement or restoration);

2) It is postulated that 65-70% of the whole training time of the developing workout should be devoted to one or two chosen training modalities; this condition is important to obtain high workload concentration and to attain sufficient stimulus for a desirable training effect;

3) The typical frequency of workouts in high-performance training (6-12 a week) dictates certain conditions pertaining to the session subsequent to the key- workout; the basic approach to training design is a significant reduction of workload after the key-workout. The alternative approach of planning two consecutive key-workouts, provides very high load concentrations which can be excessive;

4) Workouts for muscle hypertrophy impose very special demands when planning consecutive sessions within the restoration period: the use of high workloads

during this period adversely affects the anabolic phase of muscle restoration and eliminates the hypertrophy process. Thus, to obtain the anabolic effect it is necessary to substantially reduce workloads for at least 20 hours and to utilize appropriate restoration means;

5) Limiting the number of training modalities is particularly relevant in high-

performance sport: the daily program for juniors may be more diverse, multilateral and, therefore, more attractive.

It is worth noting that reasonably combined exercises allow coaches to emphasize the acute effect of the dominant training modality and/or to exploit the effect of previous exercises in subsequent workloads. A number of these favorable psycho-physiological interactions is shown below (Table 5.12).

Table 5.12

Typical compatible combinations of different training modalities and psycho- physiological factors creating a beneficial interaction of combined workloads Compatible

combinations of training modalities

Psycho-physiological factors affecting load interaction

Aerobic endurance – alactic sprint ability

Brief sprint bouts break the monotony; the sprint effort recruits a wide spectrum of muscle fibers, which remain activated during subsequent aerobic workloads

Aerobic endurance – strength endurance

The increased oxidation can be exploited in strength exercises; a combination of conventional and resistance exercises enriches the training program.

Anaerobic (glycolitic) endurance – anaerobic strength endurance

The glycolitic capacity storage can be effectively used by combining velocity assisted, conventional and high

resistance exercises; the mental factors of lactate tolerance are subjected to augmented impact

Alactic sprint ability –

explosive strength The explosive strength components (jumps, throws, strokes etc.) utilized in alactic work intervals accentuate the generation of motor output

Maximum strength - flexibility

Stretching exercises facilitate muscular and mental relaxation, which can be exploited for active restoration within maximum strength workouts

Maximum strength – aerobic exercises

Low intensity aerobic exercises activate metabolic recovery and muscular and mental relaxation, which can be used for restoration during and after strength workout

5.3.3 One day workout series

The planning and performance of a number of workouts each day is widely used and commonly accepted in the preparation of high-performance athletes. Anecdotal reports by several prominent coaches indicate that four, five and even six daily workout series were successfully performed. Of course, a six daily workout series would be an exception but a two- and three-workout series is routine in training camp practice. Practical experience in training design, control and follow up of daily

workout series is extensive and objective data are available in the scientific literature. Nevertheless, most of the large amount of empirical data and previously presented scientific background (5.3.2) about how to compile daily series of workouts are directed to developing aerobic abilities (Figure 5.5) or anaerobic abilities (Figure 5.6).

Insert Figure 5.5 about here

The ultimate purpose of subdividing the total daily amount of exercises into three, four and more workouts is to increase the quality of training, i.e., the intensity of exercises and their partial volume, create more favorable conditions for restoration, benefit more from technique improvement in relatively better restored athletes, etc. Consider the daily series for anaerobic abilities development (Figure 5.5). The first workout contains gradually increasing workloads. Very often athletes suffer from stiffness and soreness of muscles; the light earlier morning workout helps to reduce these negative consequences of previous workloads and prepare them for further serious work. The appropriate technical elements can activate sport-specific sensations and facilitate motor control. The second workout provides favorable conditions for sprint bouts, which positively interact with moderately intensive aerobic drills. A one hour break before the third workout restores athletes for a more concentrated aerobic program. Three hours of rest prior to the final session of the day readies them to perform continuous aerobic drills and the aerobic resistance program despite the fatigue accumulated during previous work during the day. The cooling down program is particularly important in this workout and usually takes relatively more time.

In highly intensive training the hiatus between daily exercise dosage is of particular importance (Figure 5.6).

The first workout in a daily series is similar to the example described previously except that brief intensive efforts can be included. The second workout contains highly intensive aerobic power exercises, which cause fast accumulation of acid metabolites and oxygen debt. The one hour break before the third workout provides partial restoration during which about 70-80% of accumulated lactate can be oxidized (Volkov, 1986). Nevertheless the next session starts when athletes are slightly fatigued. It is worth noting that the glycolitic pathway and enzymatic pool are still activated by the preceding workout and this positively affects the second highly intensive workout with its exercises for anaerobic glycolitic capacity (anaerobic endurance). The three hour break following the third workout provides the athletes with partial restoration, although the athletes come to the fourth and final workout fatigued. Consequently, the warming-up and cooling down parts can be markedly prolonged. In the basic part, the anaerobic strength endurance exercises, which entail sustaining progressing fatigue, can be successfully performed. Hence, the daily workout series facilitates the

enlargement of the total amount of anaerobic glycolitic exercises and the attainment of a more profound metabolic response.

Similarly the one day workout series can be compiled with regard to various ability-targets such as maximal speed, explosive strength or techno-tactical fight ability in combat sports. It should be noted that the four-workout series under consideration is not as widely practiced as the two-workout daily program routine for high-performance training. The most typical compatible combinations of two sequenced workouts per day are presented below (Table 5.13).

Table 5.13

Typical combinations of compatible training modalities in two workouts per day (the key-exercises are noted)

Dominant targeted ability

First workout Second workout Aerobic power and

capacity Fartlek: 10-15 s sprint – 3-6 min work on the anaerobic threshold level

Aerobic interval series Anaerobic glycolitic

power and capacity

Anaerobic power interval series

Anaerobic capacity interval series

Maximal speed Anaerobic alactic interval

series Anaerobic alactic exercises; explosive strength exercises Techno-tactical

game ability Techno-tactical simulation, maximal speed Match

It should be concluded that the one-day workout program, even an extremely important one, is part of a larger training unit (micro-, mesocycle). Its interaction with preceding and subsequent workloads is of particular importance both for planning and performance.