Introducing a Method to Quantify the Specificity of Training for Races in Speed Skating.

ABSTRACT: Roete, AJ, Stoter, IK, Lamberts, RP, Elferink-Gemser, MT, and Otter, RTA. Introducing a method to quantify the specificity of training for races in speed skating. J Strength Cond Res 36(7): 1998-2004, 2022-The specificity of training for races is believed to be important for performance development. However, measuring specificity is challenging. This study aimed to develop a method to quantify the specificity of speed skating training for sprint races (i.e., 500 and 1,000 m), and explore the amount of training specificity with a pilot study. On-ice training and races of 10 subelite-to-elite speed skaters were analyzed during 1 season (i.e., 26 weeks). Intensity was mapped using 5 equal zones, between 4 m·s-1 to peak velocity and 50% to peak heart rate. Training specificity was defined as skating in the intensity zone most representative for the race for a similar period as during the race. During the season, eight 500 m races, seven 1,000 m races, and 509 training sessions were analyzed, of which 414 contained heart rate and 375 sessions contained velocity measures. Within-subject analyses were performed. During races, most time was spent in the highest intensity zone (Vz5 and HRz5). In training, the highest velocity zone Vz5 was reached 107 ± 28 times, with 9 ± 3 efforts (0.3 ± 0.1% training) long enough to be considered 500 m specific, 6 ± 5 efforts (0.3 ± 0.3% training) were considered 1,000 m specific. For heart rate, HRz5 was reached 151 ± 89 times in training, 43 ± 33 efforts (1.3 ± 0.9% training) were considered 500 m specific, and 36 ± 23 efforts (3.2 ± 1.7% training) were considered 1,000 m specific. This newly developed method enables the examination of training specificity so that coaches can control whether their intended specificity was reached. It also opens doors to further explore the impact of training specificity on performance development.

A Systematic Review on Markers of Functional Overreaching in Endurance Athletes.

PURPOSE: The aim of this brief review was to present an overview of noninvasive markers in trained to professional endurance athletes that can reflect a state of functional overreaching. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in the PubMed, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases. After screening 380 articles, 12 research papers were included for the systematic review. RESULTS: Good consensus was found between the different papers in which noninvasive parameters were able to reflect a state of functional overreaching. Changes in power output (PO), heart rate (HR; [sub]maximal and HR recovery), rating of perceived exertion, and scores in the Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes (DALDA) and/or Profile of Mood States (POMS) were shown to be able to reflect functional overreaching, whereas changes in maximal oxygen uptake and HR-variability parameters were not. CONCLUSION: Functional overreaching within a maximal performance test was characterized by a decrease in peak PO and a lower maximum HR, whereas a lower mean PO and a lower HR were observed during time trials. Changes in parameters during a standardized submaximal test when functionally overreached were characterized by a higher PO at a fixed HR or a lower HR at a fixed intensity, higher rating of perceived exertion, and a faster HR recovery. Although both the DALDA and POMS were able to reflect functional overreaching, the POMS was not able to differentiate this response from acute fatigue, which makes it unsuitable for accurately monitoring functional overreaching.