Complete Track and Field
Glossary of Terms
Definitions will be added as we get questions on certain terms.
If you need a word or phrase defined, please feel free to contact us at: info@completetrackandfield.com
Glossary of Terms :
Acceleration - rate of change of velocity
Anaerobic - without oxygen
Annual Plan - yearly training program (divided into phases)
Backside Mechanics - in sprinting, movements occurring behind the center of mass
Center of Mass (COM) - the point on a body where forces are applied
Competition Period - grouping of event specific training for competition
Competition Period - grouping of event specific training for competition
Endurance - a period of time that an intensity can be held for
Force - mass times acceleration
Frontside Mechanics - in sprinting, movement occuring in front of the center of mass
General Preparation - phase containing general exercises to build a foundation
Hypertrophy - to increase size
Intensity - an amount or quality of effort
Macrocycle - a training period (or season) consisting of the 3 periods (Preparatory, Competitive and Transition)
Main Competition Phase - the point where you schedule your peak for, your most important meets
Maximum Velocity - top speed
Mesocycle - a training period of 2-6 microcycles
Microcycle - a weekly trainig program
Overtraining - when volume and intensity exceeds recovery capacity
Peaking - tapering for a major or championship event
Period - Group of phases that makes up the Prepatory, Competitive, Transition
Periodization - structure of a continuous training plan
Phase - stage of training, sub-periods: General, Specific Preparatory, Pre-competition, Competitive, Transition
Power - rate of work. Amont of work produced in a certain amount of time (Force x Velocity)
Pre-competition - phase in which event specific training objectives are introduced
Preparation Phase - "training to train", building a base
Progressive Overload - a higher training load then a body is use to, steadily increasing load
Repetition - number of intervals in a set
Session - individual workouts
Special Preparation - after general preparation, where to training focus stays as building a foundation but also moves towards specific training
Speed - the rate of motion. Distance traveled divided by the time of travel
Speed Endurance - any interval or run where an athlete must maintain near top speeds for a lengthened period of time. Generally speaking, these runs last 8-20 seconds so distance will vary depending on the capabilities of the athlete
Strength - force a muscle(s) produces against a resistance
Torque - measurement of force to produce a rotation about an axis
Training Age - number of years trainig for a particular event
Transition Period - recovery time in between macrocycles
Unit - different biomotor elements of training that makes up a training session
Velocity - rate of change of displacement in a specified direction
Volume - quantity of work performed
