Periodization Training for Sports

Reading a new book for class, Periodization Training for Sports by: Bompa

Science based strength and conditioning for sports. I was wondering if coaches are using this type of program for planning training routines for sports, or another?

Thanks

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Permalink Reply by Vince Gonzales on May 2, 2011 at 3:50pm

to give more info, it focuses on the following:

1) Anatomical Adaptation phase

2) Hypertrophy phase

3) Maximum Strength phase

4) Conversion phase

5) Competition phase

6) Transition phase

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Permalink Reply by John Weatherly on May 2, 2011 at 8:42pm

I haven't read the latest book but have read earlier books by Bompa. Looks like it's very similar. The information is good. The problem is most of the periodization stuff is theoretical with very little research on team sports etc. Dr. Andy Fry and I were actually talking about this today on the phone in regard to periodization models. For finite type sports/activities like weightlifting or events in track and field it is easy to see the results of training, train through certain competitions, peak, etc. For team sports it is not that easy. For example, look at basketball players playing their season, playing in summer league, etc. Same with baseball - long season - or in college play season, then summer ball, then fall ball/practice etc. You don't have a lot of time to just basically train in many team sports. How do you go through AA, hypertrophy, max strength, conversion etc. for some of these sports with the game and practice schedules people have? How do you apply it? That's the real question and there's very little research on periodization models for athletes in team sports etc.

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Permalink Reply by Vince Gonzales on May 3, 2011 at 8:09am

Yes, I see based off the book it does take a lot of time with these types of models to be used. I do feel you can utilize sections of Periodization training to get the most out of your training for sports teams.

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Permalink Reply by John Weatherly on May 3, 2011 at 8:52am

I agree.

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Permalink Reply by Craig Cheek on May 3, 2011 at 1:19pm

John-

I think that is exactly why people have a tendency to "over think" this stuff. Travel schedules, multiple competitions, sporadic training cancellations, NCAA restrictions, all the "negative" things that work against us. Why get caught up in all the minutae about periodization? Sometimes your lucky to get 30 minutes every 10 days in season in sports like basketball and baseball. Then summer ball, fall ball, pick up games. I know in my situation, I get about 14 total weeks where we can do some serious training. The problem is, those 14 weeks are not consecutive.

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Permalink Reply by Vince Gonzales on May 3, 2011 at 3:12pm

So with all that said, when you prepare for the inital season, how do you maintane your competition strength? According to the book you lose strength/endurance if you do not maintain it. Do you not use at least microcycles for technical and tactical training throughout the season?

Jon when you spoke of very little research they are quoting Stone and O'Bryant 1984/Bompa 1993/Fleck and Kraemer 1996 (which again demonstrated that periodization of strength is the most scientifically justified method for optimizing strength and sports performance). I see all your points with the lack of preparation/NCAA stipulations though....

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Permalink Reply by John Weatherly on May 3, 2011 at 11:13pm

I know Stone and O'Bryant, Fleck and Kraemer, and have met/heard Bompa speak. I was a research assistant to Stone and an intern of Fleck's. I admire all of them but look at the limitations of the research. Who were the subjects, what sports did they play, how long were the studies (how many multi-year studies are there on periodization), etc.? I believe in periodization - at least some application of it - but like Craig mentioned you have a host of factors to think about and can have a monkey-wrench tossed into your time consuming long-term plans. I believe the microcycle is the most important aspect to think about.

Vince Gonzales said:

So with all that said, when you prepare for the inital season, how do you maintane your competition strength? According to the book you lose strength/endurance if you do not maintain it. Do you not use at least microcycles for technical and tactical training throughout the season?

Jon when you spoke of very little research they are quoting Stone and O'Bryant 1984/Bompa 1993/Fleck and Kraemer 1996 (which again demonstrated that periodization of strength is the most scientifically justified method for optimizing strength and sports performance). I see all your points with the lack of preparation/NCAA stipulations though....

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Permalink Reply by Vince Gonzales on May 4, 2011 at 12:29pm

Those questions on reasearch subjects/how long etc. are beyond my reach at the time...lol Thanks for all the thoughts and comments on the subject. Good to hear from the people in the industry. Just wanted some more knowledge on the subject since I am taking the class.................Thanks again.

Gunny G

USMC

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Permalink Reply by John Weatherly on May 5, 2011 at 7:44am

Glad to be of some help. My point was when you look at periodization there isn't much research on football, basketball, baseball etc.- like I said it's mostly theoretical.

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Permalink Reply by Blair Wagner on May 6, 2011 at 10:24am

Vince, thanks for your service in the USMC.

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Permalink Reply by Vince Gonzales on May 6, 2011 at 3:06pm

Your welcome!

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Permalink Reply by Cat Wade on May 17, 2011 at 12:44pm

Vince -

1. Thank you for your service.

2. I have read through this book several times and use bits and pieces of it. I personally have taken the format for the annual plan and have expanded it and made it more "real life" to what my schedule is with my teams. I like how it breaks down the energy systems and where the focus is during particular times of the year. However that being said, I also agree it is all theoretical and have to adjust for how many days a week / hours I have with my teams. What is it that we NEED? Is it strength? Power? Endurance? Mobility? Work Ethic? Once I have identified what my team's greatest needs are, when our competition schedule is I adapt Bompa's plan to what my time line will be and go from there.