Training Characteristics of Male Junior Cross Country and Track Runners on European Top Level

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to describe training characteristics of distance junior runners at European top level. INTRODUCTIONThe question of how to organize daily training to improve aerobic capacity in elite junior endurance athletes is a debated topic among coaches and researchers throughout the world, and several attempts have been made to construct a model of optimal endurance training 1,2 . In a training program for long-distance runners, the most essential exercise variables are training volume (km/week), training frequency (training units/week) and intensity distribution measured in percent of maximum heart rate (% HR max ) or in percent of V · O 2 max

Distribution of Training Volume and Intensity of Elite Male and Female Track and Marathon Runners

“…Calculations on the training reported in the diaries was used to estimate: a) average number of training sessions during the preparation period (November -February), the precompetition period (March and April) and the competition season (May -September) 22,34,35 ; b) average training volume (km/week); c) distribution of training at the prescribed intensities (% of HR max ); and d) number of weekly sprints/strides and strength training workouts.…”

“…Other studies have shown significant improvements in V · O 2 max and running speed at anaerobic threshold (vAT) in elite endurance athletes using the anaerobic threshold training model (80-87% of V · O 2 max/ 82-92% of HR max ) [21][22][23] . Indeed, the runners with greatest success, the Kenyan runners, do a lot of training at this intensity 24,25 .…”

“…Indeed, the runners with greatest success, the Kenyan runners, do a lot of training at this intensity 24,25 . Experienced coaches and researchers emphasize that training at vAT is the most likely to develop aerobic capacity and specific endurance for long-distance runners 22,26,27 . Newer studies conducted with well-trained long-distance runners, however, indicate a stronger correlation between performance and high-training volume at lower intensity (< 60-75% of V · O 2 max), than lower training volume at moderate and high intensities 12,28,29 .…”

“…It remains unclear how physical adaptations that occur in untrained subjects and highly-trained subjects differ 31 . Because of the gap in our knowledge of how training volume (km/week) and intensity distribution (% of HR max ) should interact in a training program intended to develop aerobic capacity (V · O 2 max) 32 and performance in long-distance runners, more longitudinal studies are needed 22 . This accounts for more systematised data from field conditions and practical training experience rather than laboratory testing 30 and should also include the periodization of training loads in the different meso-cycles of a year to optimize performance 32 .…”

Quantifying the Training-Intensity Distribution in Middle-Distance Runners: The Influence of Different Methods of Training-Intensity Quantification

“…Of these training prescription variables, the way in which athletes distribute their training across the training intensity spectrum (i.e., training intensity distribution; TID) is considered to be a key determinant of training and performance adaptations. [1][2][3][4][5] Training intensity can be measured via external work rate (running speed or power output), 6,7 an internal physiological response (i.e., heart rate or VO2), 8,9 or by how the training is perceived (i.e., rating of perceived exertion; RPE). 10 To further guide training prescription and monitoring, training intensity zones have been employed, and while there is not yet a consensus on the most appropriate training zone model, models with up to 7 training zones have been described.…”