Friday, February 14, 2014

Are there biomarkers to predict adaptations to training?

The variability in exercise training induced adaptations is a fascinating subject both for scientists and practitioners. From a practical point of view many have noticed that some individuals may improve more with training than others. It would be very helpful in the future if we are able to identify the players/athletes with higher potential in advance.

What is the science behind the heterogeneity of adaptations to training? What are the prevailing concepts in the area? The papers below, free to download, might be useful.
George

http://jap.physiology.org/content/110/3/846.full.pdf+html

http://jap.physiology.org/content/108/6/1487.full.pdf+html

1 comment:

Neil Gibson said...

An interesting point regarding the ability to determine the potential to advance. As with most team sports football (or soccer) draws on a number of skill sets from the physical, technical, tactical and psychological (amongst others i am sure) so ascertaining an individuals capacity to improve in one may cloud our judgement about the others. Perhaps a better way to think about this area is the prioritisation of training emphasis. For example, if a young player shows poor adaptability in motor learning we may emphasise physical conditioning in the hope that this in some way 'makes up' for a lack or progress or ceiling effect in skill development. By the same token we could prioritise skill and technique in a player that we suspected would be limited in their development of aerobic capacity. By taking this approach we avoid narrowing our base of potential stars and instead develop a strategy for effectively apportioning practise time and emphasis. Nevertheless a fascinating area of study that will undoubtedly facilitate our understanding of how athletes develop across a range of sports in the future.