Questions for Renato Canova, Jtupper, others: Prescribing race specific work during preparation period

Remember that in terms of training Verkhoshansky deals with the theoretical (especially when we are talking about applying his ideas to distance training.)

In a lot of ways his arguing with others on periodization concepts is just semantics. For instance the whole meso/micro/cycle debate is stupid. It doesn't matter if you call them general, specific, special periods or seperate your periods ala Coe into microcycles with different emphasis.

My view on Verk. work is that he has some very good ideas that can be applied to the real world. I like some aspects of his successive-continous method, but instead of completely dropping an aspect like he sometimes suggest, I prefer to switch it to maintenance mode. You see a lot of this in Canova's work. He never really gets rid of a type of training throughout the year, he just adds something new/a new stimulus while not forgetting the old.

I'm not sure I buy into his LTDE fully either.

thoughts? Perhaps you could better explain Verkh. methods to us. I've read most of his articles on the net, but don't have the best grasp on his general ideas.

To clear things up,

Verkhoshansky (Sp?) believe in what is sometimes called conjugated training.

Conjugated training- develop different abilities in a linear fashion so that the ability being developed directly helps the next ability to be developed. The best easy distance runner example would probably be a pure Lydiard system.

EX: Aerobic base then to hill period then to anaerobic conditioning period then to peaking/freshening up.

In this example, each period is built on and the preceding period is essential to developing the next period. For example, the hill period develops the strength, power, and some lactic capacity needed for the anaerobic period.

THe other predominant theory of training is the Complex system.

Complex system of training- I think it's best summed up by the idea of keeping all systems revved up and ready to go. That means that during each period of training, almost all or all of the key training things are there, just the amount changes. So basically,

An example of Complex training in distance running would be the Coe system. You go through periods of training such as base, threshold, anaerobic, or whatever you want to call them, but throughout each period all the ingredients of the training are present. For example in base training you are still doing some speed maintenance work. Or during the anaerobic phase you are still doing some lactate threshold work.

So in essense, most of the training means are developed simultaneously or concurrently.

I think that sums it up fairly clearly.

I tend to see Canova's periodization as more of a Coe like system although it varies quiet significantly, but that's just my opinion.

Block A:

A1 - The preparatory stage.

1. Strengthening of: most important muscles for the speed running, their antagonist muscles and upper body muscles; with the use of 10-5 RM method.

2. Multiple long jumps (from leg to leg) on the 60-400 meter distance.

3. Aerobic running (cross).

A2 - The development of the Local Muscular Endurance and the Aerobic threshold level.

1. Interval jumping exercises with overload (see my book “Special Strength training: a practical manual for coaches”, page 43 “3.4 Development of Local Muscular Endurance”).

2. The Aerobic Threshold Fartlek.

A3 - Increasing of the running footsteps length, Local Muscular Endurance and Anaerobic threshold level.

1. 200 – 800 meter Uphill running (page 47 of “Special Strength training: a practical manual for coaches”)

2. The Anaerobic Threshold Fartlek.

Block B:

The specific running speed stage. Track & Field Training: the performing of 800 and 1500 meters runners specific training methods (including glycolitic interval training).

Block C: 800 m or 1500 m distance running in preliminary competitions.

Yuri Verkhoshansky

This is taken from the Professors site.

I think it's crazy how similar this is to Lydiard's model, yet Verkhoshansky was locked up in the Soviet Union and Arthur really never got past middle school.

The special strength training mainly for MD runners is Barbell Jump Squats one day then Barbell split jumps, starting w. 6x8 w/ a 60s RI down to 10x10 in 2-3 series w/10s rest. I have used the beginning phases of this training on very talented Soccer players and the results are beginning to be witnessed. They (esp. the females) are able to finish games like never before. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that soccer is beginning to be taken from the aspect of a short sprinter rather than a long sprinter/MD runner as far as energy system training is concerned. I realized this in my own training, high intensity strength training was "too good," I went out great but could not finish, my body was relying too heavily on HTMUs. I'm changing that this year.

I also am using once a week the Strength-Aerobic Method, they do 3 exercises 2x5 in a cycle (perform the first exercise, take a 5 minute RI WHILE they do a set of the next two exercises), then do the same exercises, only this time 1 set of 2 minutes in length w/a 60s RI, then 2x60s sets. Then they go back to 2 more cycles of the Max strength work. This develops their work capacity like nothing else. Usually I would do this phase separately but working in the private sector right now I have to be somewhat flexible and be a little more undulating/variable with training loads.

The conjugate system is a combination of technical/tactical training w/physical training, something absolutely essential for team/combat sports. The system you are talking about is the Block Method.

...........

I am not familiar with this style of training. I do find it somewhat ironic that this being a "Russian" that came up with this style if you will of training and the correlation with the rather high level of weight training involved in it.....

Yeah the Soviet's are real fond of strength training, much like the Moroccans/Ethiopians/Webb.

I've read a lot of Verk. work and I think this quote will help answer your question on Renato's opinion.

"In any project of training, we never can lose what already we have. So, staying too long time without training some quality is ALWAYS a mistake. Today, it's not possible to apply Lydiard system, because the athletes have to compete frequently."

I think if you are trying to fit Canova's system into Verk. model, you get where Canova would agree with different training aspects building on each other. For example, developing general strength and general endurance before combining them into strength-endurance.

The difference is that, in a strict Verk. model you would "leave behind" the training previously done after a while. Renato doesn't seem to do this.

Also, should have pointed out that Canova seems to use the principle of Supercompensation as he mentions it several times in his writings and book.

He then seems to suscribe to the that instead of the dual factor theory of adaptation that Verk. follows.

Verkhoshansky wrote: "In East Europe sport training methodology, the word "periodisation" means the

subdivision of training process in periods related to the different training's

tasks. There is also the conception of Training Periodisation of L. Matveev,

that is based on his particular principle of training's process planning,

different from my conception of "Training Programming".

But from what is in my knowledge, I can suppose that in the West the word

"periodisation" is synonym of "training's planning" and the conception of

Matveev's Periodisation has named "Linear periodisation". My conception of

"Training Programming" is often wrongly associated with word "programming" that

is the general activity to define the training programs.

May be also the word "conjugate" has been used in the West with another

meaning.

For example, I am not sure that the Conjugate Method of Luis Simmons is the

same Conjugate Method that I know.

In the article of Simmons "The Conjugate Method" has been reported that this

method was invented in 1970th by weight lifters of Dynamo Club (USSR): "They

were introduced to a system of 20-45 special exercises that were grouped into

2-4 exercises per work-out and were rotated as often as necessary to make

continuous progress They soon found out that as the squat, good morning, back

raise, glute/ham raise, or special pulls got stronger, so did their Olympic

lifts. When asked about the system, only one lifter was satisfied with the

number of special lifts; the rest wanted more to choose from. And so the

conjugate system was originated."

The Conjugate Method that I know was invented in 50th by my teacher, the

famous high jumpers coach V. Djachkov. It was a brilliant idea to use the

special strength exercises for improving the technique of athletes. For the

first time in the Sport Training Methodology was introduced the idea that to

adjust the competition exercise technique is necessary to increase the strength

level expression in determinate movements.

At that time I and Djachkov elaborated together this method and I suggested him

to name it "conjugate" because the strength exercises have to be "conjugated"

with the technical issues of the athletes. After, I introduced the Principle of

Dynamic Correspondence to select and elaborate adequate special strength

exercises on the base of the biodynamic structure analysis of competition

exercise.

Often, in USSR the Conjugate Method was used also as "the execution of

competition exercise with overload".

So, the original idea of "this" Conjugate Method is not simply "the rotation"

of the same group of special exercises during the preparation period, but it is

the "conjugate" use of special physical preparation exercises and technical

exercises in the same training session.

In 60th, I started to use the special strength preparation exercises and

technical works not in the same training session, but in different sequenced

training sessions, and later, in different sequenced training stages.

When I elaborated the structure of special physical preparation in

speed-strength disciplines, I understood that also special strength work

consists in different types of exercises, that can be conjugated from them in

sequence (can be used in different training sessions and in different training

stages).

This idea was utilised in my Physical Preparation Training Methodology where I

introduced:

the Conjugate-Sequence System of training loads organisation, the Principles of

Concentration and of Superposition of different training loads and the Block

System of training.

Therefore, now in the East Europe sport methodology there are two different

models for the use of different types of loads in training process:

complex-parallel and conjugate-sequence.

In the first case these loads are used together with "continuous rotations of

the same special exercises" during all preparation period.

In the second case these loads are used in the sequence, one type of loads

after another, everyone concentrated in a special training stage.

If the conjugate periodisation is another name of complex-parallel model of

training loads organisation and you wish know my opinion about it, I can answer

very shortly.

The complex-parallel model is much more simple than the conjugate-sequence

because it doesn't need the exactly quantitative model of training load

distribution during the preparation period.

It's better use the complex-parallel model for non expert athletes who have a

not stabilised technique and a low level of physical preparedness (in any case

when the coach doesn't know very well the training experience of the athletes).

The complex-parallel model can be used also for high level athletes:

- in the first phase of preparation period, before they start the

concentrated physical preparation work,

- when they don't need to increase radically their physical

preparedness level, but they need to "conjugate" their high level physical

capacities with the technique ( it's particularly important in some sport

disciplines).

In generally, the conjugate-sequence model is much more effective that

complex-parallel for high level athletes with high level of physical

preparedness.

In the sport disciplines where the sport result is strictly related with the

increase of the physical preparedness level these athletes need to increase

further their level of physical preparedness. In this case the training

programs have to be elaborated very carefully.

There are many other aspects about this issue but it need too much time to

explain all the aspects involved."

Verkhoshansky (from BMC 2002): "Matveyev’s textbook on periodization was

never translated into the Italian language.

Nevertheless, it was severely criticized in a

paper distributed to sporting organizations,

sport medics and provincial sporting

authorities by the Italian Olympic Committee

(CONI) in 1978. The aim of this critical

analysis was to provide coaches revised

information on training concepts. Particular

attention was drawn to the lack of reliability

and effectiveness of Matveyev’s theory in the

training of swimmers, weight lifters and track

& field athletes (running)."

Does Italian distance running school follow complex-parallel periodization?

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Correction: Does Italian distance running school follow conjugate-sequence periodization?

Verkhoshansky came several times in Italy, and was a collaborator of Italian Athletic Federation (FIDAL) about methodology, applied also to other sports.

The top Soviet methodologists had great importance in the development of training, connected with the growing use of strength.

The first speaking about periodization was Matveyev. Verkhosanshky developed Matveyev's principles, but who more changed the system, using a "multiple" periodization, was Anatoly Bondarchuk, former WR holder of Hammer Throwing, and later coach of the best hammer throwest all-time (Yury Syedikg, Igor Nikulin, Sergey Litvinov and Juri Tamm).

I had the opportunity to speak several times with this group, normally in the Italian Center of Tirrenia during Winter, since I was at that time the Italian respinsible of Multiple Events, training my group many times in Tirrenia.

I was already coach of middle distance runners and of marathon runners, women especially, and some of the best Italian women were coached by myself and my wife, also if for the Federation I was head coach for another sector.

The real problem is that all the top methodologists from Soviet Union didn't have any advanced knowledge about the BIOENERGETIC system. Their periodization was the base of the development of STRENGTH in all the expressions (fundamental, explosive, balistic-explosive, reactive elastic, eccentric, etc...), but never they had really knowledge about the action of mitochondrions and their transformation with tough training of endurance.

The reason because I don't use, practically, any "classic" periodization, is that, in my opinion, for distance runners it doesn't work. And this for the following difference :

a) In any technical event, the athletes are specialists of one single event, max of two. A high jumper is a high jumper, and rarely can compete in different events ; the same for throwers (at least, shot and discus). Instead, in the field of middle distance we can use several option, carrying on competitions as preparation in different distances (Peter Snell running marathon, for example, or Paula Radcliffe at 8'22" in 3000 two months after a Marathon in 2:18, or in Italy Stefano Mei, bettering the Italian Record of 1500m with 3'34" at his first competition after winning European Championships 1986 in 10000m : we can have thousand examples).

b) If speed has a biomechanical importance, endurance has a bioenergetic function. This means that we must find the system for increasing both these qualities in the same period. How I say during my congresses or lecturers for IAAF, "There are not events of RESISTANCE, but only events of SPEED, because in any case the winner is the fastest as average in the race. But the winner is the FASTEST inside the group of athletes having the same ENDURANCE. So, it's clear that the first choice in middle distance, and the key of success, is to improve the SPECIFIC ENDURANCE before the speed, because high speed is useless if you are not able to arrive in the last lap with the leaders".

c) Longer is the distance, more important is the work of the bioenergetic system. So, if for a sprinter the percentage of intervention of the biomechanical workouts can be 80% (including training for strength, that is at the base of every biomechanical development), and no more than 20% for bioenergetic system, for a marathon runner we can have 98% connected with the metabolic system, and 2% with the biomechanics.

d) Under the biomechanic point of view, the ability in running faster can help the athlete in running at the same speed reducing the cost of running. This means, with the same cost, the possibility to last longer. But, under the metabolic point of view, the ability to reduce the production of lactate at a determined speed, means the possibility to run faster at the same lactic level.

In other words, ENDURANCE supports the speed, and SPEED supports the endurance.

The reason because now we developed the system of Lydiard, is not only connected with the different type of current activity compared with 40 years ago (today a lot of competitions, international championships every 2 years, Diamond League, Major marathon etc..., 40 years ago only Olympic and Commonwealth or European, and some meeting without any economic advantage) ; but also with the TECHNICAL FACT that, from when we use short period of training including ALL the elements of the preparation, of course in different percentage according to the periods, and go to repeat them several times (so, very different from a classic periodization), the performances became better.

One example is for Marathon : with a modern modulation, the athletes can be at their best on 10000m about 3 months before the race, and at their best in HM about 6-8 weeks before the marathon.

Don't forget that, for other events, there is ONLY ONE SHAPE. For 100m, or you are in shape, or you are not. The same for jumpers and throwers.

But, for middle distance runners, WE HAVE SPECIFC SHAPE FOR DIFFERENT DISTANCES, for the same athlete, in DIFFERENT PERIOD. So, an athlete can have a shape for 1500m before the shape for 5000 and 10000, and viceversa.

There is no specialism as middle distance that can have continuity during all the season, with different espressions : cross, road, indoors, track, in winter, spring, summer and fall.

This means that all the activities of ENDURANCE need to be considered in another file from the activities where the base is the STRENGTH and the technical ability.

And this is the reason because, also if some principle is the same we find in Verkhoshansky, the methodological base for training endurance is, practically, very much different.

Thank you very much for informative answer.

Matveyev used 2+1, 3+1 etc systems (2 week progressive work, one recovery week etc).

"

At the same time, similar renovations were performed in other sports. Namely, the great track and field coach, Anatoli Bondarchuk, created the original block periodized plan for hammer throwers, which certainly was very different from our design. However, the general idea was similar—to provide a high concentration of sport-specific exercises and avoid conflicting responses of non-compatible training workloads. Thus, the first publications devoted to block periodized training were released in 1985 (Issurin, Kaverin) and in 1986 (Bondarchuk). During the last decade, the term “block” became very popular and widely used. It usually means “the training cycle of highly concentrated specialized workloads.” The current situation with block periodization is paradoxical. On the one hand, this is a reality of contemporary sport. However, on the other hand, very few publications can be found where the curious readers can learn what it is." (Issurin

http://www.elitefts.com/documents/vladimir_issurin.htm

)

a) So if Bondarchuk created "original block periodized plan form hammer throwers", are your term "multiple" and Bondarchuk's "block system" (not Verkhoshansky's block, but Bondarchuks's block) basically the same?

b) How do you plan recovery periods (days) for supercompensation (-adaptation)?

c) I know that you do not like words micro- or mesocycle, but what kind of structural units do you use in your introductive, general, special and specific periods if any?

d) What kind of periodization models do Italian XC skiers (Cottrer, di Centas from the past etc) use?

Marko, from Eastern Europe

With all the so call knowledge you have, why can't you make some fast white runners?

Renato, how do you work to improve speed or strength, especially pre-competition without hurting Endurance?

Thanks.

Renato Canova is BO$$ and BALLIN

who knows wrote:

Renato, how do you work to improve speed or strength, especially pre-competition without hurting Endurance?

Thanks.

By doing speed work and training hard. You don't need this man for that.

From 1969, coaching was my passion, but also my profession. For 32 years I worked for the Italian Federation, and our group of coaches (together with me, Luciano Gigliotti, Giorgio Rondelli, Gaspare Polizzi, Giampaolo Lenzi and Ugo Ranzetti) was able to produce top results with Italian runners. Some Olympic Gold (Gabriella Dorio, Alberto Cova, Gelindo Bordin, Stefano Baldini), some World Champion (Alberto Cova, Francesco Panetta, Gennaro Di Napoli in 3000m indoor, Baldini in HM), many European Champions (Cova, Panetta, Salvatore Antibo, Stefano Mei, again Baldini, Maria Guida, Alessandro Lambruschini, Andrea Benvenuti) and a lot of assorted medals in any event (Viali, Di Napoli, Antibo, Mei, Modica, Curatolo, Fogli, Poli, Pizzolato, Brunet, Viceconte, Goffi and of sure I forget somebody), that I don’t think is something bad.

We created the Italian School of Middle distance, but, as in any school, when there are no more students, we can’t produce many graduateds…

Being my profession (I was in Italy the technical-scientific director), when I was no more satisfied about the choices of my Federation (from 1995, we understood we had to change many things in the Italian organisation, because recruitment of young athletes and new coaches was more difficult, and the italian movement became every year weaker), I looked for different professional choices.

Since I was already lecturer of IAAF, and for that reason I had the opportunity to work with many African runners and coaches in official seminares and training camps for young athletes, I accepted the offer of Qatar Federation, that allowed me in staying in Kenya for official camps for 7-9 months per year.

So, the reason because I don’t coach white athletes is very simple : because of my current profession, I don’t have any white athlete under my control (but I’m involved in many methodological activities with European coaches).

May be you think coaching athletes is only a voluntary work. Instead, as in every activity, you can be an amateur, but also a professional, depending on the level of your job.

That’s the reason because there are many coaches, in any sport, working abroad (look at Soccer, both in National Teams and in many Clubs ; look at Volley, Basket. Look at swimming, now the Italian Olympic Champion and WR holder Federica Pellegrini works with a French coach, Lucas).

Because, when you are professional, you look for the choice allowing you in reaching the best results. And, in our activity, I’m sorry to say that European athletes can’t have the same possibilities, not because of their genetic differences, but because the current motivations, and the type of life we have in Europe, are not the same of African people, or the same of the European of 30 years ago.