|
One of the fundamental purposes of training for endurance sports is to give the body
a tough workout followed by just the right amount of rest. Theoretically, you’ll
get stronger and more fit. Without an overload, there is little stimulation for your
body to improve its ability to handle higher levels of training stress. Or, as Kenny
Souza, world champion duathlete, would say: “You gotta break it down and build
it up.”
Endurance, power, and strength will improve if an appropriate load imposes a demand
on the body’s systems. As the body adapts to training, an increased workload
stimulates further improvements in conditioning. This relates to the gradual increases
in time and intensity throughout the base and intensity stages, which are intended
to impose enough demand on the body to stimulate growth. Endurance overload will
allow the energy systems and oxygen transport systems to adapt.
Adaptation
Physiologically, stressing the body in training will bring subtle changes as the
body adjusts and finally adapts to these imposed demands. Improved circulation,
respiratory function, and heart function; increased muscle endurance, strength,
and power; and sturdier connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and bones are all
part of the body’s adaptation to appropriate training stress. Athletes who train
too much or too fast too soon are likely candidates for illness or injury, having
overstressed the body so it could not adapt. Psychologically, an adjustment and
adaptation process also happens with an increase in training loads. If the fitness
plan is just right, one’s confidence, attitude, and motivation may ebb and flow,
but the overall trend will be steady growth toward greater success.
|
