Periodization
For The Pup:
Part I – Understanding the Phases
Contributed by The Crew at SportMutt
SportMutt continues to make strides toward gaining knowledge
of what we can do to improve our K9’s performance. Dock Jumping is our number
one focus here at SportMutt. With the sport being relatively new and so
different than other traditional dog
sports, we have learned that we must reach out to other competitors who have
knowledge in areas that pertain to specifics of training that we feel benefit
our dogs in this sport. A great competitor, a former world-record holder in
Extreme Vertical, and a very knowledgeable trainer, Angie Jones has contributed
this article for SportMutt.
Basically periodization, also referred to as planned
performance training, divides training into phases. The phases are commonly referred to as
preparation, competitive, peaking and transition. Each phase of training is designed to enhance
a specific training component(s) to prepare the athlete for optimum
performance. Such components would
include aerobic conditioning, muscular strength and endurance, speed endurance,
maximum speed, power and skill.
Improvements to these components occur by overloading the muscular,
nervous and energy systems of the body.
Overload means to apply stress above normal workloads. Or in other words, challenge the athlete’s
present physical status. The process of
rest/recovery, from the fatigue produced from overloading, allows the body to
super-compensate (positively adapts to the stress to a level above what was
previously experienced). Optimizing
training through the control of this overload/rest/rebuilding cycle is the
primary purpose of Periodization.
The preparation phase
is considered preseason and is designed to physical prepare the athlete for
competition. It is often subdivide into
a general preparation phase and a specific preparation phase.
As the first phase of
periodization planning, the general
preparation phase focuses on the
overall fitness of the athlete. Laying a
foundation of aerobic conditioning and muscular strength and endurance are
important aspects of training during this phase. A strong aerobic energy system will allow the
athlete to recover more quickly from the intensity demands of later phases. Gradually increasing muscle mass and
improving the muscular strength, endurance and flexibility will help to
condition the athlete against muscle and connective tissue type injuries. At this point in training, the intensity is
low and the volume is high.
Volume and Intensity are dependent
and can’t be separated. As one
increases, the other will decrease and vise versa.
Intensity
– How hard you work.
Volume –
The amount of work.
The specific preparation phase transitions training to a more sport
specific focus. Functional strength is a
goal and is achieved by choosing exercises that strengthen muscles specific to
the demands of the sport, plus they will more closely replicate the actions of
the skill. Training at this point should
also emphasize the demands of the anaerobic energy system. This is more specific to Dockdog
events than aerobic training and is conditioned through activities that are
short in duration and high in intensity.
Volume begins to decrease as intensity increase.
Aerobic
– Long and slow.
Anaerobic
– Short and fast.
During the competitive
phase it is common to train though the early stages of competition. The conditioning levels, of the training
components that were the focus of the specific phase, intensify as the volume
lowers even more. Developing power and
maximum speed and improving skill become the primary goals. A greater need for rest is necessary due to
the high intensity demands, especially during the later stages of competition
when a reduction in the workload will allow the athlete to replenish energy and
overcome the fatigue and stress of competition.
Maintaining explosive power and fine tuning the skill are
essential during the Peaking Phase. Tapering (reducing the workload) is the most
critical factor in this phase if optimal performance is to be achieved. Tapering allows the body to build-up its
maximum strength, speed and endurance potential to 100% from the fatigue of
previous training.
The Transition Phase
is the off-season. Take time off from
after the last major competition of the year.
Stay active to maintain good fitness, but allow your dog’s body time to
recover or heal from the demands of a competitive year by avoiding or reducing
the intensity demands of training for the events. This is a good opportunity to try other
activities (such as hunting, agility, flyball,
etc.). Doing events non-related to big
air or EV will refresh your dog not only physically, but also mentally for the
next season of Dockdogs.