The Three Training Seasons (AQA GCSE Physical Education (PE))

Seasonal Aspects of Training

• Many performers divide their training year into distinct seasons:

  • Pre-season/preparation

  • Competition/peak/playing season

  • Post-season/transition

• Dividing training into seasons in this way allows performers to shift the focus of their training with each season and reach peak performance at the right time

• The time of year at which a particular season falls will differ between sports

  • E.g. peak season for a skier to peak season for a sprinter

Pre-season/preparation

• During this season performers often focus on overall aerobic fitness as well as specific fitness goals

• Examples might include:

  • A cyclist might work on aerobic fitness by completing distance training rides, while also developing strength and endurance for hill cycling

  • A rugby player might build aerobic fitness with distance running while also working on strength training

  • A rower might build aerobic fitness with extended rowing machine sessions while also working on strength training

Competition/peak/playing season

• Performers should be at the peak of fitness during this season, so their aim will be to maintain fitness levels and work on specific skills

• This might involve:

  • Recovery after competition

  • Strength training

  • Sport-specific skills training, e.g.

    • Rugby lineouts

    • Netball shooting

    • Passing skills in football

Post-season/transition

• During this season performers can take time to rest and recover from the peak season, while still maintaining some level of fitness

  • This prevents loss of motivation due to overtraining and fatigue

  • Performers can recover from injury

  • The fitness gained from pre- and peak season training does not drop too low

• This might involve, e.g.

  • Low intensity aerobic training

  • Maintaining flexibility