Archives for Cross Country training

General Adaptation Syndrome and Cross Country Training

In 1932, physiologist W.A. Engelhardt, for the first time introduced the definition of the training process as a physiological breakdown that serves as a specific stimulus for the subsequent adaptive recovery process.  While Engelhardt’s experiments worked with laboratory animals, injected drugs, and introduced stimuli far above what the animals were accustomed to, this idea became…

Functional Endurance Strength in Cross Country Training

Strength is one of the five primary physical components (speed, endurance, flexibility, strength, coordination) that defines athleticism.  Cross country runners, like all athletes, benefit from the improvement of all five physical components to the degree to which their particular sport demands.  Strength training must always be focused on training the movement, rather than the muscle,…

Three Things

It’s important for everyone who’s interested in track and field to put all the pieces of the puzzle together. After all, this is a sport that is not always considered to be the premier and most exciting to fans, and it is certainly not one of the most sought after or respected among its peers….

When to De-emphasize VO2 max Training in Cross Country

Since the early days of exercise science testing and experimentation, it has been accepted that aerobic power development is one of four training domains used in preparing distance runners.  Consider the combined energy zone events of the 800 meters through the 10,000 meters; including both short and long cross country competitions.  Improvement in the anaerobic…

The Variety of Personalities on a Cross Country Team

A team is a collection of individuals attempting to accomplish like goals.  On a cross country team, the coach is responsible for providing the leadership skills necessary to bring individual personality traits together into a functioning unit that has selective group goals.  Goals vary between cross country teams under an array of context situations and…

Training Ecosystems in Cross Country Teams

Some of the best descriptors in lively conversations are analogies, and cross country coaches often make use of them when talking to or about their teams.  A good one for biology types is the analogy that relates a cross country team, and the training they do, to the hierarchy and organization of life on Earth….

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