Deloading Insights from Top Strength Coaches
Survey analysis of resistance training practices during tapering, tournaments, and travel.
This study, "Resistance Training Prescription During Planned Deloading Periods: A Survey of Strength and Conditioning Coaches Across Varying Sporting Codes," explored how strength and conditioning coaches prescribe resistance training (RT) during four common deloading periods: taper, competitive season, tournament, and travel.
Key Points
Study Design: An anonymous online survey was distributed globally to strength and conditioning coaches, gathering responses from 204 participants.
Coaches' Experience: The respondents coached athletes at various levels, including:
World-class: 68
Elite/international: 62
Highly trained: 64
Trained: 10
Deloading Periods: Coaches provided insights specifically on RT prescriptions during the identified deloading phases.
Weekly Deload RT Prescription:
Frequency: 1–2 sessions per week
Duration: 30–60 minutes
Sets: 1–3 sets
Repetitions: 1–6 repetitions
Intensity: 60% to 84% of one repetition maximum (1RM)
Volume Reduction:
Most coaches reported a decrease in volume across all deloading periods:
Taper: 89.1%
Competitive season: 70.4%
Tournament: 84.1%
Travel: 74.6%
Intensity Reduction:
Coaches also reduced intensity during various phases:
Taper: 52.9%
Tournament: 54.8%
Travel: 53.6%
Common Reductions:
The most frequent reduction in volume and intensity was reported as 0–25%.
Barriers to RT Prescription:
Travel had the highest rate of coaches not prescribing RT (38.5%).
Major barriers included:
Scheduling/time constraints (60%)
Lack of equipment and facilities (57.3%)
Practical Takeaways
Coaching Practices: Understanding the typical practices in RT prescription can help coaches optimise training during deloading periods.
Focus on Volume and Intensity: Coaches generally favour reducing both volume and intensity, which aligns with common practices in tapering and recovery phases.
Addressing Barriers: The identified barriers highlight the need for research into effective, time-efficient RT strategies that require minimal equipment, especially during travel or other logistical challenges.
This study provides valuable insights into how strength and conditioning professionals manage resistance training during critical periods of an athlete's competitive schedule. It emphasises the importance of adapting training strategies to maintain performance while accommodating practical limitations.
Reference
De Marco, Kristen; Goods, Paul S. R; Baldwin, Kate M; Hiscock, Daniel J; Scott, Brendan R. Resistance Training Prescription During Planned Deloading Periods: A Survey of Strength and Conditioning Coaches Across Varying Sporting Codes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research ():10.1519/JSC.0000000000004932, October 24, 2024. | DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000004932