Author: P. B. Laursen

Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science In Sports 2010: 20 (Suppl. 2): 1–10

Commentary by Leo Thornley

The discussion around the most effect training methods for improving exercise performance will be one that is always followed closely. The increasing demands on athletes and coaches time and the search for the most efficient and effective use of that time is one driving force behind training methods research. The recent plethora of research highlighting high intensity training is one example of this. This paper is a review by Dr Paul Laursen currently working at the New Zealand Academy of sport and a well written author on this topic. This paper looks at high intensity training and high volume training with respect to improving aerobic metabolic capacity.

Laursen’s review defines high intensity sporting events as lasting between 1 and 8 minutes in this case. The paper gives a brief back to basics approach to understanding the demands of high intensity efforts in sport. This reminds us of the need for a thorough understanding of what specifically it is we are trying to improve from an energy supply and demand perspective. The paper also highlights the adaptations seen from both high intensity and high volume types of training as well as the potential mechanisms behind such improvements.

When new research is published showing enhancements in performance there can be a tendency to view the outcomes as the magic answer to our quest for athletic improvement. To some extent this has been seen in the last few years relating to high intensity interval training. The research has shown what a potent form of physiological improvement this method of training can be, a point which few dispute. As with any good research and critical evaluation though it should also cause us to ask questions such as how much should be done? When should it be introduced? How is it incorporated into a taper? And most importantly how does it best fit in an athlete’s long term career planning? 

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