International conference21-23.10.2015

Periodization training: from traditional version till

block structured models

Vladimir B. Issurin, Ph.D., Professor

Plan• Classic approach: basics and

restrictions• Nowadays versions

• Block periodization properly

Theory of training periodizaton

Classic version

Boris Kotov“Olympic sport”,

St-Petersburg, 1916

Kotov subdivided annual cycle intothree periods directed to general, specific preparation and tuning

towards competition.He also conceptualized the term

“peak-performance state”

Lev P. MatveyevProblem of periodization

of athletic training Moscow, FiS Publisher,

1964

Classic version of annual periodization (Matveyev,1964)

Sources of criticism andneeds for reforming

• Appearance of previously unknown facts and concepts

• Experience and desires of top-level athletes

• Creativity and ambitions of prominent coaches

The trends in contemporary High-Performance Sport

VO2max

Preparation period

Competition period

100%

90%

80%

Muscle mass

AnT

Traditional Model – Typical Changes

General volumes of annual preparation

800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300

Swimming

Kayaking

Rowing

Synchro.Swimming

Volleyball

Wrestling

Fencing

Running-MD

Gymnastics-R

Hours

1991-20001980-90

Total number of competition days per year

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

Swimming

Kayaking

Rowing

Sailing

Judo

Wrestling

Fencing

Running-MD

Cycling-Road

Number of days

1991-20001980-1990

Annual volumes of exercises in endurance sports (thousands km)

Annual volumes of exercises in endurance sports (thousands km)

Swimming

Kayaking

Rowing

Cycling-R

2.5-3.5

5.5-6.3

6.3-7.3

35-45

2.0-2.5

4.5-5.3

5.5-6.5

30-35

1980-90 1995-2013

560

570

580

590

600

610

620

0 18Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Source: Suslov, 2003

Sergei Bubka: Performance trend

in season 1991

9293949596979899

100101102

1 11Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep

Long jump

Running

Source: Suslov, 2003

Marion Jones:Performance trend

in season 1998

Question

•Should many abilities be trained at the same time?

Facts:•Simultaneous development of many abilities decreases effectiveness of training

•Body cannot simultaneouslyadapt to many training stimuli

Past and Present in High-Performance Training

Past Presence

Competitions less moreTotal workload more lessPharmacology liberal hard limitationDevelopment mainly mainly

simultaneous consecutive

Basic limitations of traditional model

Low stimulation producing by “mixed” training

Conflicting physiological responses

Excessive fatigue accumulationInability to take part in many

competitions

Alternative approach: blocks and stages

Nowadays versions

TerminologyTerminology

Block – training cycle of highlyconcentrated specialized workloads

Prof. Yuri V. VerkhochanskyUSSR, Russia, Italy

Yuri V. Verkhochansky

The concentrated unidirectional block training

1985-2010

Verkhoshansky, 1985 (cited from 2005)

A – block of concentrated strength/power workloads,B – block of specialized technical work and recovery

Verkhoshansky, 1985 (cited from 2005)

A – block of concentrated strength/power workloads,B – block for developing metabolic and functional abilitiesC - block of specialized technical work and recovery

Summary of studies of concentratedunidirectional block training

Sample Training description Source

20 shoot boxers, control and EXP

group

15wks macrocycle: traditional VS. block design

Villani&Gesuale, 2003

8 elite basketball players; one

group

Two macrocycles (23 and 19 wks) divided to 3 stages

Moreira et al., 2004

11 elite handball players; one

group

16 wks block structured program: strength , power, speed; specific technique

de Souza et al., 2006

21 male elite soccer players ,

one group

Block structured concentrated strength training within the

season

Campeiz and de Oliveira,

2007Three high-level

swimmers 18 wks block structured

program: strength, power, and speed/technique.

da Silva Marinho,

2008

Block Periodized Training:

multi-targeted model

Anatoli Bondarchuk, track and field, hammer

throwingBlock Periodized system that includes: developmental mesocycle, competitive mesocycle, restoration mesocycle. Duration of training stage – 9-10 weeks

Preparation outcomes - gold-, silver-, and bronze-medals attained at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games

Publication: Bondarchuk, 1986,1988

Gennadi Touretski, swimming

Block Periodized system that includes: general, specific, and competitive mesocycles. Duration of training stage – 6-10 weeks

Preparation outcomes – numerous gold medals of Alexander Popov and Michael Klim attained at the Olympic Games and World Championships

Publication: Touretski, 1993, 1998

Vladimir Issurin & Vassili Kaverin,

Canoe-KayakBlock Periodized system that includes: accumulation, transformation and realization mesocycles. Duration of training stage – 6-10 weeks

Preparation outcomes – 3 gold and 3 silver medals of USSR National Team at the Seoul Olympic Games; 8 and 9 gold medals at World Championships of 1989, 1990

Publication: Issurin, Kaverin, 1985,1989

Issurin VB, Kaverin VFPlanning and construction of annual

cycle in canoe/kayak paddlers’ preparation

The principal methodic demands to BP training were almost identical:

1) mesocycles-blocks where focused on minimal number of targets;

2) the total number of proposed blocks is relatively small;

3) the single mesocycle-block’s duration ranges within two-fore weeks;

4) joining of single mesocycles forms training stage;

5) a number of training stages forms annual cycle

Realization

A A

T T

R R

Trials

Targeted competitions

R

T

A

Spring Trials

Preparation period Competition period

Winter Trials

R

A A

T

Stage I Stage II Stage III Stage IV Stage V

Transmutation

Accumulation

Annual Preparation Chart – Block Approach

By Courtesy of Gennadi Touretski

1st stage2nd stage

3rd stage

4th stage

5th stage

6th stage

Annual preparation of Alexander Popov towards the Atlanta Olympic Games

Michael Phelps –athlete of 21st century

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Sept-2

5

Oct-16

Nov-0

6

Nov-2

7

Dec-1

8

Jan-

08

Jan-

29

Feb-1

9

Mar-1

2

Apr-0

2

Apr-2

3

Mai-14

Jun-

04

Jun-

25

Jul-1

6

Aug-0

6

Aug-2

7

Vol

ume,

km

/wee

kC

ompe

titio

ns,

Tri

als

Wor

ld C

h-p

US

Nat

iona

ls

Gra

nd P

rix

Nat

iona

l Se

lect

ion

Nat

iona

l T

rial

s

Wor

ld C

up

Chr

istm

as

Mee

t

Nat

iona

l T

rial

s

Wor

ld C

up

Stages

Totally

2570 km

Annual Preparation Chart of Michael Phelps 2000-2001

Courtesy for Bob Bowman, personal coach

(Source: Mujika, 2009)

TTSimultaneous development of motor abilities and skillsMedium (low) concentration of training loadsFocus – training periodsBackground – cumulativetraining effect

BPConsecutive development of motor abilities and skillsHigh concentration of training loadsFocus – blocks-mesocyclesBackground – cumulative and residual training effect

Block Periodizationvs. Traditional Theory

Trainingblocks

taxonomy

Taxonomy of blocks-mesocyclestargets-AbilitiesTypes

Accumulation

Transmutation

Realization

Basic motor and technical abilities: aerobic endurance, muscular strength, basic coordination…

Specific motor and technical abilities: anaerobic endurance, strength endurance, proper technique…

Integrative preparedness: maximal speed and quickness, event specific readiness…

Residualtraining effects

Prof. James Counsilman –great coach and scientist

Prof. James Counsilman –great coach and scientist

TerminologyResidual training effect:

- retention of changes in the body state and motor abilities after the cessation of training beyond certain time period

Important

Residual training effects

0 10 20 30 40

Alactic ability

Strength endurance

Anaerobic endurance

Maximal strength

Aerobic endurance

Days number

Maximal speed

Peaking

TerminologyTerminology

Peaking - obtaining the best athletic conditions at a particular moment

Accumulation Transmutation Realization

Residuals

CompetitionBlocks-mesocycles

Superposition of Residual Training Effects – Timing

12-30 days12-25 days

8-14 days

The latest studies of Block Periodized

training

Summary of BP studies in endurance sports

Garcia-Pallares et al.(2009) Annual preparation of elite kayakers

Breil et al.(2010) BP aerobic program of alpine skiers

Ronnestad et al.(2012a,b) BP program of elite cyclists

Storen et al. (2012) BP preseason training of elite cyclist

Bakken al. (2013) BP training of cross-country skiers

Saul Craviotto and Carlos Perez (ESP) -Olympic Champions

Effects of block periodization training versus traditional periodization training in

trained cross country skiers Timo Andre Bakken

Week 1 2 3 4 5 BP group HIT 5 1 3 1 1 TRAD group HIT 2 2 3 2 2

Improvements in VO2max and time to exhaustion were seen in the BP group, but not in the TRAD group. This effect was seen despite both groups had similar total volumes of HIT

and LIT during the five week intervention period.

Ronnestad et al. Block

Periodization in elite cyclists

2012

Summary of BP studies in team and duel sports

Stolen et al.(2005) BP aerobic mesocycle of soccer players

Porta, Sanz (2005) Annual BP preparation of Carlos Moya

Newton et al. (2006 ) BP structured training in volleyball

Mallo (2011 and 2012) BP in-season training of elite soccer players

Summary of BP studies in strength/power sports

Herrik & Stone (1996) 15 wks program- 3 subsequent blocks

Hartmann et al. (2009) 14 wks program- 2 subsequent blocks

Smith (2011 ) BP annual program for bodybuilders

Painter et al. (2012) 10 wks BP fitness program in track and field

How to accomplish these knowledge?

What people are saying ?

Weeks

Impr

ovem

ent

Improvement rate of the certain ability over the block-mesocycle

Never before the coaches receive such practical and useful information on training

methodology and enhancement of athletic mastery. Using this knowledge the coaches and

athletes will be able to reach new heights and greater success. There is no science fiction – everything is

absolutely realistic.

Ivan KlementievOlympic champion, seven-time world champion,member of national parliamentof Latvia

ConclusionBlock Periodization as an alternative training approach is worthy for learning and implementation in the preparation of high-performance athletes

Thank you for your attention