Publication: Coaches’ perceptions of factors driving training adaptation: an international survey

Research Impact:  The best methods of training planning are highly contentious and spark debate among coaches and sports scientists. Periodization is often hailed as the best approach. Yet, historical surveys have typically failed to provide a unified definition of periodization. The current survey explores coaches’ perceptions of conventional training planning concepts.

This survey’s results underscored multiple inconsistencies, casting doubt on the widespread acceptance of periodization concepts, even among its proponents. Critically, this survey highlights major discrepancies between coaches beliefs and the published training science research. To support coaches effectively, sports scientists must become better at actively engaging with practitioners as co-collaborators and co-designers of research projects.

Anyadike-Danes, K., Donath, L. and Kiely, J., 2023. Coaches’ perceptions of factors driving training adaptation: an international survey. Sports medicine, pp.1-8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-023-01894-1