Athletic peaking, when you are in top shape, results
in your best performances of the season. At this time fitness is
at the highest level, while fatigue is at the lowest. This is the
one time of the season that fatigue should in no way mask fitness.
Your peak occurs when you are ready to perform at your best physically
(fitness, skills, reactions…) and psychologically (strategy,
focus, intent…). Peaking for sport is no accident, but rather
the culmination of training, competitions, tactics and regeneration
that has been planned for.
A peaking period can be as long as several weeks or as short as
several days, so defining your peaking period and planning accordingly
is critical. No new stimuli of any significant intensity should
be introduced at this time, and training methods (psychological,
physical, and technical) must be specific to the demands of competition.
Complete regeneration of all required physical capacities; such
as speed, strength, and power; is paramount. These levels should
all be at their highest during a peaking phase. While volume most
often drops significantly and rest periods increase during a taper,
some portion of training intensity MUST remain high to facilitate
peak performances. To maintain an extended peak, appropriate intensity
must remain in your training at some level throughout the peaking
period.
