Archives for distance training

Cross Country Assessment of the Primary Physical Components

Cross Country Assessment of the Primary Physical Components To improve athletic performance in any sport requires ongoing development of the five primary physical components: speed, endurance, strength, flexibility, and coordination.  Balanced development in these five bio-motor skills is sport specific with the training emphasis on each of the five determined by the demands of the…

Flexibility as a Primary Physical Component in Cross Country

There are five primary physical components that are targeted for improvement during physical training.  The degree of emphasis placed on each of the five components of strength, speed, flexibility, coordination, and endurance is sport specific.  All must be addressed for any athlete to improve performance capacity.  In cross country running, the component of endurance is…

Taking Time Off

All endurance runners need time off from training in order to regenerate the body and relax the mind.  In most cases this regeneration time follows a vigorous racing schedule and an intense training period.  Endurance fitness is elusive because it cannot be maintained over an indefinite length of time.  Training adaptations are disruptive to the…

Speed and Ancillary Training in the Distance Events

Perspectives. Distance run training geared toward the development of energy system efficiency, cardiovascular fitness, and buffering capabilities is the foundation of any good distance program. Yet, there are several other forms of training that are applicable to endurance training, serving a specific purpose that can enhance performance, increase the effectiveness of other forms of training,…

Levels and Types of Competition

The word competition takes on many meanings in the natural world.  For two animals in competition for the same basic needs in the same ecosystem, it means survival, and ultimately life and death.  Fortunately for humans, competition in the athletic domain of our society has far less consequences.  Loosely defined for sporting application, competition is…

Carbohydrate Metabolism

Understanding and following proper nutritional protocol is crucial to the success of any athlete.  Human cells require nutrients ingested from outside of the body to provide an energy platform for muscle contractions, amino acids for synthesizing a wide variety of protein-based components, and micro-nutrients that provide a sort of co-enzyme function in many cellular functions….

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