Finding a New Periodization Paradigm

Earlier this week I discussed one recent article Vern Gambetta pointed out on his blog recently. Today I would like to discuss another that focuses on a topic of great interest to me: periodization.

Coaches have been using periodization for more than a century to create training plans. Over the years the concept of periodization has become broader to include a wide variety of training plans all seemingly based on the premise that biological adaptation to a given training follows a predictable course and future training can therefore be adequately forecasted to meet the goals of the athlete. Matveyev was one of the early researchers involved in developing modern concepts, but many other since have built on his work.

In the article (“Periodization Paradigms in the 21st Century: Evidence-Led or Tradition-Driven?” in International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance), author John Kiely notes that scientific progress has stagnated in some respects. The problem is that what few studies look at periodization are narrow in scope, yet try to draw the broadest possible conclusion from the results.


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5 replies
  1. M
    M says:

    To quote the great philosopher Bruce Lee :), “All fixed set patterns are incapable of adaptability or pliability. The truth is outside of all fixed patterns.”

    Reply
  2. Frederick Hannie
    Frederick Hannie says:

    Awesome post! I am always looking into different ways to change up my training to get more favorable responses from my body. What is the longest amount of time and shortest amount of time Dr. B keeps y’all on a specific program? For me 5 week blocks seem to work the best…..I have tried 3 weeks all the way up to 7 weeks.

    Reply
    • Martin
      Martin says:

      I’ve done up to about 12 weeks, and that is doing two trainings a day (I hit 100-120 sessions I believe). But it is very individual; no one else in the group goes that long. You have to see what fits best for you.

      Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] in 2012 Vern Gambetta forwarded me an article by John Kiely (abstract and more information here), a senior lecturer in sports performance for the Institute of […]

  2. […] more specific work. Another UK-based professor, John Kiely of the University of Central Lancashire, wrote a great article in 2012 about trends in modern periodization. His conclusion is that the new periodization paradigm is centered around individualization, […]

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