Physiological and performance responses to a 6-day taper in middle-distance runners: influence of training frequency.

Full Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the influence of training frequency on performance and some physiological responses during a 6-day taper. After 18 weeks of training, 9 male middle-distance runners were assigned to a high frequency taper (HFT, n = 5) or a moderate frequency taper (MFT, n = 4), consisting of training daily or resting every third day of the taper. Taper consisted of an 80% nonlinear progressive reduction in high intensity interval training. Blood samples were obtained, and 800 m performance and peak blood lactate ([La] peak ) measured before and after taper. Performance improved significantly after HFT (121.8 +/- 4.7 vs 124.2 +/- 4.9 s, p < 0.05), but not after MFT (126.6 +/- 2.8 vs 127.1 +/- 2.1 s). Neutrophils (2.89 +/- 0.68 vs 2.56 +/- 0.61 10 (3) x mm(-3)), granulocytes (3.08 +/- 0.70 vs 2.77 +/- 0.66 10 (3) x mm(-3)), haptoglobin (79.7 +/- 47.9 vs 60.7 +/- 33.6 mg x dl(-1)), total testosterone (7.39 +/- 1.67 vs 5.52 +/- 0.88 microg x l(-1)) and [La] peak (15.5 +/- 1.5 vs 14.4 +/- 2.0 mmol x l(-1)) significantly increased with taper. [La] peak correlated with performance time before taper (r = -0.76, p < 0.05), and change in [La] peak with change in serum cortisol (r = -0.75, p < 0.05) and total testosterone:cortisol ratio (r = 0.82, p < 0.01). In conclusion, training daily during a 6-day taper brought about significant performance gains, whereas resting every third day did not. High [La] peak and a hormonal milieu propitious to anabolic processes seemed to be necessary for optimum performance.

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Author information

Author/s: Mujika, I (I); Goya, A (A); Ruiz, E (E); Grijalba, A (A); Santisteban, J (J); Padilla, S (S);

Affiliation: Departamento de Investigación y Desarrollo, Servicios Médicos, Athletic Club de Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain. imujika(-atsign-)grn.es

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: International journal of sports medicine (Int J Sports Med), published in Germany. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2002-Jul; vol 23 (issue 5) : pp 367-73

Dates: Created 2002/08/07; Completed 2002/10/09; Revised 2006/11/15;

PMID: 12165889, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Analysis of Variance
Humans
Hydrocortisone - blood
Lactates - blood

Associated Chemicals: Lactates (0) ; Hydrocortisone (50-23-7)

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