Upon recently rereading some stuff on training periodization, one misconception I think I have had is that periodization applies to developing a single ability over the long term, when actually it only applies to developing multiple abilities over the long term.
I have had the understanding that working at the same intensity over and over is less optimal than varying the intensity even if my goal is to increase my maximal power at a single intensity. For example, if my only goal was to increase my 20MP, then doing 2x20 at 90% FTP every day was less optimal than working at multiple intensities with some form of structure (e.g. progressing from 1x300 at 75% FTP to 6x2 at 150% FTP over several months). I thought the theory underpinning this was basically the principal of overload; the theory that says you have to change the stress in order to trigger an adaption. My thought was that if I continue to do 2x20, I will eventually plateau within one season, so if I wanted to continue to increase my FTP I would need change the stress to include work at other intensities. But I can't find anything in the discussions of periodization that supports this idea. I think all the principal of overload is saying is that you have to do 2x20 at greater and greater power; irregardless of how that power relates to your FTP (i.e. constant intensity).
On the other hand, what both linear and block periodization seem to be about is maximizing multiple abilities all on the same day with the realization that different abilities respond to training on different schedules (e.g..v02max responds faster than aerobic endurance).
However, I still have some confusion. Why did Lydiard have his long distance runners do anaerobic intervals when anaerobic endurance was probably not a decisive ability? Why do strength trainers do anything other than sets of 1-4 seeing as they trying to develop only one ability?
I have had the understanding that working at the same intensity over and over is less optimal than varying the intensity even if my goal is to increase my maximal power at a single intensity. For example, if my only goal was to increase my 20MP, then doing 2x20 at 90% FTP every day was less optimal than working at multiple intensities with some form of structure (e.g. progressing from 1x300 at 75% FTP to 6x2 at 150% FTP over several months). I thought the theory underpinning this was basically the principal of overload; the theory that says you have to change the stress in order to trigger an adaption. My thought was that if I continue to do 2x20, I will eventually plateau within one season, so if I wanted to continue to increase my FTP I would need change the stress to include work at other intensities. But I can't find anything in the discussions of periodization that supports this idea. I think all the principal of overload is saying is that you have to do 2x20 at greater and greater power; irregardless of how that power relates to your FTP (i.e. constant intensity).
On the other hand, what both linear and block periodization seem to be about is maximizing multiple abilities all on the same day with the realization that different abilities respond to training on different schedules (e.g..v02max responds faster than aerobic endurance).
However, I still have some confusion. Why did Lydiard have his long distance runners do anaerobic intervals when anaerobic endurance was probably not a decisive ability? Why do strength trainers do anything other than sets of 1-4 seeing as they trying to develop only one ability?
