Evaluate how monitoring immediate physiological responses during different types of training sessions can be used to optimise individual training programs. (8 marks)
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Heart rate
- Monitoring during training provides immediate feedback about exercise intensity.
- Allows athletes to train within specific heart rate zones that target improvements in either aerobic fitness or anaerobic capacity.
- Monitoring how quickly heart rate returns to normal between exercise intervals helps identify an athlete’s recovery ability.
- Can indicate when they need more rest to prevent excessive fatigue.
Breathing Rate
- Observation helps identify when an athlete transitions from comfortable aerobic exercise to more challenging anaerobic work.
- Allows coaches to design sessions that target specific energy systems.
Lactate levels
- Measuring during training can determine an athlete’s lactate threshold.
- Helps coaches set appropriate training intensities that improve the body’s ability to clear lactate during exercise.
Comparison to the same training
- Comparison of heart rate response to the same training over time provides evidence of improvement.
- A lower heart rate for the same exercise intensity indicates enhanced cardiovascular fitness.
- Different athletes respond differently to the same training.
- Some might show rapid heart rate increases with minimal lactate buildup.
- Others might have the opposite response—highlighting the need for individualised training programs.
Physiological responses to different training
- Monitoring across different types of training (such as intervals, continuous runs, or circuit training) helps identify which training methods are most effective for each individual athlete.
Tracking changes in responses
- Tracking changes over a training season provides objective evidence of improvement or plateaus.
- Allows coaches to modify training programs accordingly rather than following generic plans.
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Sample Answer
Heart rate
- Monitoring during training provides immediate feedback about exercise intensity.
- Allows athletes to train within specific heart rate zones that target improvements in either aerobic fitness or anaerobic capacity.
- Monitoring how quickly heart rate returns to normal between exercise intervals helps identify an athlete’s recovery ability.
- Can indicate when they need more rest to prevent excessive fatigue.
Breathing Rate
- Observation helps identify when an athlete transitions from comfortable aerobic exercise to more challenging anaerobic work.
- Allows coaches to design sessions that target specific energy systems.
Lactate levels
- Measuring during training can determine an athlete’s lactate threshold.
- Helps coaches set appropriate training intensities that improve the body’s ability to clear lactate during exercise.
Comparison to the same training
- Comparison of heart rate response to the same training over time provides evidence of improvement.
- A lower heart rate for the same exercise intensity indicates enhanced cardiovascular fitness.
- Different athletes respond differently to the same training.
- Some might show rapid heart rate increases with minimal lactate buildup.
- Others might have the opposite response—highlighting the need for individualised training programs.
Physiological responses to different training
- Monitoring across different types of training (such as intervals, continuous runs, or circuit training) helps identify which training methods are most effective for each individual athlete.
Tracking changes in responses
- Tracking changes over a training season provides objective evidence of improvement or plateaus.
- Allows coaches to modify training programs accordingly rather than following generic plans.