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An Analysis of Sport-Specificity in Relation to Periodisation by Field-Team Sport Strength and Conditioning Coaches.

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Thesis(2.15 MB)

Date

2025

Authors

Willems, Rob

Supervisor

Spence, Alyssa-Joy
Helms, Eric

Item type

Thesis

Degree name

Master of Sport, Exercise and Health

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Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

Resistance training is fundamental to the physical preparation of athletes. Periodisation models are training planning tools often used by strength and conditioning coaches (SCCs) to inform their manipulation and sequencing of training variables to maximise adaptations, avoid plateaus, and mitigate injury risk. This thesis aimed to examine how field-team sport SCCs manipulate key training variables—intensity, range of motion (ROM), and tempo—across the seasonal phases (pre-season, in-season, transition period, off-season) of the annual training plan (macrocycle). Specifically, it integrates relevant periodisation literature with novel empirical data to provide an evidence-informed understanding of how SCCs design and adjust resistance training prescriptions across the macrocycle, and the extent to which these practices align with periodisation principles. A review of the literature was conducted to outline the background of periodisation and its recommended application to team sports, analyse the quality of existing research, and evaluate the mechanistic influence of intensity, ROM, and tempo manipulation on adaptations and athlete readiness. This review revealed persistent methodological challenges and limitations in experimental design in periodisation studies, informing the cross-sectional, observational study presented in Chapter Three. A global survey was distributed to SCCs (N = 42) with ≥1 year of experience working in field-team sports. Participants reported if and how they manipulated intensity (percentage of one-repetition maximum [%1RM], rating of perceived exertion [RPE], repetitions in reserve [RIR]), ROM (full, shortened partials, lengthened partials, isometric), and tempo (eccentric, concentric, pause) across the four macrocycle phases for squatting and upper body pressing exercises. Cochran’s Q tests analysed overall phase differences, with pairwise McNemar comparisons (Bonferroni adjusted) identifying directionality and magnitude of between-phase differences in training variable manipulation. Descriptive statistics were used to quantify manipulation frequencies of training prescriptions. Manipulation varied significantly across phases for intensity, Q(3) = 31.02, p < .001; ROM, Q(3) = 22.62, p < .001; and tempo, Q(3) = 23.66, p < .001. Transition periods showed consistently lower manipulation, while in-season ROM manipulation was significantly higher than off-season (p = .004). In-season, 100% of SCCs who manipulated ROM used shortened partials, and 100% of those who manipulated concentric tempo prescribed maximal concentric intent. Off-season prescriptions showed the highest use of lengthened partials (50%) and the lowest use of shortened partials (25%). Tempo manipulation also differed, with slow eccentric and long pauses most common in the off-season, and faster tempos during the in-season. No SCCs manipulated ROM during the transition period. This thesis integrates existing periodisation and training variable literature with observational data. Using an observational design to maximise ecological validity, our findings indicate that SCCs manipulate training variables in a phase-dependent manner, aligning with broader periodisation principles and demonstrating intentional, context-specific practices in applied settings.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10292/20024

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