Periodisation is the structured division of training into cycles — macrocycles (a full season or year), mesocycles (blocks of weeks targeting specific adaptations) and microcycles (individual weeks). It manages the balance between training stress and recovery, sequences different qualities (base, strength, power, peak), and times peak performance for competition. Linear periodisation progresses from high volume/low intensity to low volume/high intensity; undulating periodisation varies these within each week. Block periodisation concentrates on one quality at a time. All approaches aim to maximise adaptation while avoiding overtraining and ensuring readiness when it matters.
Key points
- Training organised into macro/meso/microcycles
- Sequences base, strength, power, peak phases
- Linear, undulating and block models exist
- Times peak performance for competition
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