Training strategies dictate when and where success happens. Training PRs may not be an indication of future meet success.
- Exploitation vs. conservation
- Exploiting the current state of fitness for immediate results could stifle longer-term progress via fatigue, and disruption to the training plan.
Too much exploitation leads to exhausted athletes and poor performances
- Conservation of the training effect to ensure the outcome of the meet.
Too much conservation = timid competition and lack of confidence on stage.
- “Striking while the iron is hot” If it's there, take the shot, let the situation happen on its own don’t force it.
Practical implementation
Context is important
When to push
- Heaviest weeks of training, ideally proceeding a light week of training.
- During the largest loading sessions. Large days at the end of loading progressions is ideal.
- “High highs, low lows”
When to hold back
- Immediately following heavy training
- Close proximity to competitions
- Post-injury
- Post competition