Theory and application of sprint training planning

Expert Discussion Planning and Periodization
1

Theory and application of sprint training planning
Hugo Albarracin

I want to share some theoretic aspects of the training process and their applicability. I should start by stating the tasks that according to Ng. Ozolin should be included in the training process (Ng. Ozolin – Physical Culture and Sport, Moscow 1970 - Editorial cientifico técnica Ciudad de la Habana 1995).
They are:
• Physical preparation
• Technical preparation
• Tactical preparation
• Theoretical preparation
• Psychological preparation
Training must be regarded as an integral process in order to increase the physical the mechanical potential or the sprinter. Each one of the tasks is related to each other and is the coach’s responsibility to organize them properly in the training process.
In a previous thread (volume vs. intensity) I enounced the main models that have been developed according to the evolution of modern sports.
Periodization is widely known and was the first model. It was developed in the Soviet Union as a part of the plan to win the 1964 Olympic Games. Lev Matveev used over 20 years of previous physiological studies to compile this first theory. The utter success of the Soviet model was Valeri Borzov.
I will review the other lesser-known models in a future occasion.

2

Changes in the competition schedule forced coaches to reorganize the
training process. This new way of planning became known in 1976 as the
double periodization, which was basically a plan with two peaks. Due to
physiological reasons, competition form can be held for a maximum of 4
weeks; with this new double peak periodization, an athlete could be in top
shape for 2 different 4 week periods (i.e. summer season in May and Olympic
Games in September).
Volume became the most important variable at the time of planning. In track
events volume refers mostly to distance (miles, meters, etc.)