Less Is More: The Physiological Basis for Tapering in Endurance, Strength, and Power Athletes

Sports

Kevin A. Murach¹  James R. Bagley² 

[1] Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health Sciences and Center for Muscle Biology, University of Kentucky, MS-508 Chandler Medical Center, 800 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40508, USA;Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Social Sciences, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue-Gym 101, San Francisco, CA 94132, USA; E-Mail:

关键词: taper;    reduced-volume training;    periodization;    skeletal muscle;    fiber type;   

DOI  :  10.3390/sports3030209

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Taper, or reduced-volume training, improves competition performance across a broad spectrum of exercise modes and populations. This article aims to highlight the physiological mechanisms, namely in skeletal muscle, by which taper improves performance and provide a practical literature-based rationale for implementing taper in varied athletic disciplines. Special attention will be paid to strength- and power-oriented athletes as taper is under-studied and often overlooked in these populations. Tapering can best be summarized by the adage “less is more” because maintained intensity and reduced volume prior to competition yields significant performance benefits.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.