Principles of Training (OCR GCSE Physical Education (PE)): Revision Note

Specificity

The training needs to be specific for the requirements of the performer and their sport. e.g. the muscle groups that they use, the movement patterns they require and the dominant energy system they use

For example, a 200 m sprinter is likely to train very differently to a 10 km runner despite them both being track athletes. The sprinter will focus on speed and power while the distance runner will train for cardiovascular fitness and the ability to work at high intensity aerobically

Progressive

Training should progressively become more difficult so that fitness gains occur and is closely related to overload. Progress should be gradual in order to avoid injury.

Overload

Once the body has adapted, the performer must push themselves harder than their 'comfortable' level to make further demands on the systems and drive progress. This will result in adaptations to your body - no overload = no improvement. Overload and progression can be applied to training using the FITT principle:

• F = Frequency

• I = Intensity

• T = Time

• T = Type

Reversibility

A performers fitness gains may decrease and be largely lost if their training schedule lapses or becomes less

demanding.

For example if an athlete's injury prevents training from taking place for any length of time or an athlete lacks motivation and takes a break from training for a period of time