The reply lies in residual fatigue. Because the amassed fatigue from the frequency section dissipates, the athlete’s true capability for depth emerges. The bigger acute drops doable throughout this section replicate not better fatigue, however slightly better entry to the athlete’s enhanced capability developed throughout accumulation.
Consider it like eradicating sandbags from a scorching air balloon. The amassed fatigue from the frequency section acts like sandbags, limiting how excessive (intense) we are able to go. As this residual fatigue dissipates throughout the intensification section, we are able to entry increased absolute intensities regardless that every session creates extra acute fatigue.
Concurrent Linear Periodization
Inexperienced persons profit uniquely from coaching with a full spectrum of implements, from very gentle to very heavy balls. Whereas this may appear counterintuitive — wouldn’t it’s easier to grasp one implement first? — there are a number of key the explanation why concurrent coaching accelerates growth in novice throwers.
First, inexperienced persons haven’t but developed steady attractor states or power software methods. By exposing them to completely different implements early, we assist them uncover and discover numerous methods of producing power. Heavy implements train them the significance of sustaining positions and stress-free into throws, whereas gentle implements assist them perceive sequencing and the position of velocity in power manufacturing. This assorted publicity prevents them from turning into overly reliant on a single technique.
Consider it like studying a brand new language — younger youngsters typically choose up a number of languages concurrently extra simply than adults studying sequentially. Their neural techniques are extra plastic and adaptable, permitting them to internalize completely different patterns in parallel. Equally, novice athletes can extra readily develop a number of throwing qualities concurrently earlier than motion patterns turn out to be deeply ingrained.
Moreover, inexperienced persons sometimes reply positively to any correct coaching stimulus — a phenomenon typically known as “newbie beneficial properties.” Their our bodies are primed to adapt to new stresses, permitting them to enhance throughout a number of bodily qualities directly. A pitcher who has by no means skilled systematically earlier than may concurrently:
Develop higher positional energy with heavy implementsImprove mechanics and sequencing with customary ballsEnhance fee of power growth with lighter implements
Novice athletes have vital headroom for enchancment throughout all bodily qualities, making concurrent growth each doable and helpful. Analysis has proven that “the development of comparatively decrease athletic talents doesn’t require extremely concentrated coaching workloads” (Issurin & Yessis, 2008). This permits coaches to develop a broad base of bodily capabilities and motion competencies that may help future specialization. It’s why throwing applications ought to be structured in a different way for school freshmen versus elite pitchers.
Nevertheless, this concurrent strategy turns into much less efficient as athletes advance. Extra skilled athletes have already harvested their “newbie beneficial properties” and require extra centered stimulus to proceed progressing. Their neuromuscular techniques have tailored to basic coaching stress, necessitating extra particular overload to drive additional adaptation. That is when transitioning to vertical integration, with its emphasis on growing particular qualities whereas sustaining others, turns into essential for continued growth.
Understanding this development — from concurrent growth in inexperienced persons to extra centered coaching in superior athletes — helps coaches construction long-term athlete growth extra successfully. It explains why seemingly complicated coaching with a number of implements can speed up studying in novices, whereas additionally clarifying when and why coaching emphasis must turn out to be extra specialised as athletes advance.
Vertical Integration
Whereas concurrent linear periodization permits athletes to develop a number of bodily qualities concurrently, this strategy has limitations — notably for extra superior athletes who’ve moved past newbie beneficial properties.
That is the place vertical integration, often known as conjugate periodization, gives a vital framework for superior growth. This strategy acknowledges that vital variations in power manufacturing capabilities — each peak power and power length — require centered, sequential coaching phases slightly than concurrent growth. As Issurin and Yessis (2008) observe, “extremely concentrated workloads for a lot of qualities can’t be managed on the similar time.” Whereas throwing velocity depends upon a number of bodily qualities, making an attempt to enhance all of them concurrently turns into ineffective for superior athletes. As a substitute, strategically emphasizing completely different qualities in sequence, whereas sustaining others via supporting work, permits for systematic growth of each impulse peak and length traits.
