Technical Paper on Successful Endurance Training

Tim Gibbons, who is the Endurance Training Coordinator in the Sport Science and Technology Division of the U.S. Olympic Committee recently did apper on the Common Characteristics of Successful Endurance Training Programs with specific information on children and adolescents.

The six common characteristics are:
1. Physical Activity during childhood and early adolescence.
2. The age of the athlete when sport specialization takes place.
3. Long Term Gradual Development with increasing workload in training.
4. Training Volume and intensity not too high during young adulthood.
5. High Quality Coaching.
6. Training Partners and a Team Atmosphere.

A large amount of non-sport specific physical activity between the ages of 5 and 13 is extremely important in creating a well rounded, coordinated, strong athlete later in life. The more movement and aerobic type activity the better as long as it is not sport specific.

Sport specialization such as longer distance running, or skiiing, or triathlon, or other traditional sports should not start earlier than age 14. Burnout and overexposure often occurs in young athletes who do too much too soon in only one sport.

Scientifically, increases in VO2 Max, the ability to carry oxygen to the muscles, can be started at an early age and is very important to development in any sport.

High Quality Coaching is defined as:
1. Designing and structuring training based on scientific methods and experience in working with athletes.
2. Daily communication between athlete and coach in order to adjust training based on health, fitness level, and weaknesses.
3. Daily analysis of training and performance data and body signals to prevent overtraining.
4. Motivation based on individual needs, personality, and psychology.

Training partners help all focus in a productive, competitive, and goal setting environment

Long Term Development with increasing workload during training over a long number of years is the best for endurance athletes.