S&C

How to Use Tapering to Optimize Performance

Caoimhe Morris

[4-minute read]

The rationale behind tapering is simple: provide the athlete with appropriate recovery prior to performance. Tapering, in simple terms, means reducing the time (duration) and volume (distance or load) of training prior to a match, or competition day. Tapering periods depend heavily on the sport and competition period, however, for the purpose of this blog, we will speak in relation to field sports such as football and camogie that have competition or ‘peak’ days on a weekly basis in-season.

Tapering must be planned into the season and must be appropriate to maximize both performance (enough load put on the athlete to meet competition demands) and recovery (from the loads put on the athlete in training and competition).

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Image 1: Balancing Tapering to Optimize Performance

Reducing the time and volume of training will put less stress on the body, provide more time to work on technical and tactical skills before a performance, and provide the system with adequate time to recover from the week’s training.

‘reducing the physiological and psychological stress of training (in order to maximize performance after an intense training period)”

(Fessi et al, 2016)

An important note here is that tapering does not mean complete recovery (i.e. flaking out on the couch) in place of training, but rather reducing the amount of work a person is doing. On taper day/s, gains in technical, tactical, psychological, and reduced load (but high intensity) work can still be made which can make a difference in competition.

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Image 2: The Benefits of Tapering

Why do we Taper? /

Tapering is a method used in order to ensure the athlete peaks for performance by ‘reducing the physiological and psychological stress of training (in order to maximize performance after an intense training period)” (Fessi et al, 2016).

Tapering and peaking should be planned together in order to optimize performance. This method of structuring work ensures that the athlete will still make and maintain performance gains in-season while also ensuring they do not suffer from burnout or overtraining.

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Image 3: Periodization Strategies

By planning for recovery around matches we reduce the risk of overtraining, and as a result, reduce the risk of injury.

Tapering allows for recovery from the training plan which leads to increased and/or improved performance.

How do we Taper? /

Tapering is part of a larger plan of the sporting season and so should be structured and planned.

The aim of training in any sport is to optimize performance, whether that be with regard to match results, skill performance, tactical performance or a combination of these and more is dependent on the goals of the team. The athlete’s physiological, psychological, technical, and tactical capabilities need to be absolutely optimal for performance which requires they have adequate recovery from training stimulus and load.

The function of tapering is of course to reduce the load on the body and allow for physiological recovery, but also for psychological recovery. An athlete must also recover psychologically from the stress induced by training, and tapering or reducing that load can improve the athlete’s mood, reduce the perception of effort, and also increase their perceived readiness to compete.

Guidelines for structuring work in order to peak for competition in team sports are as follows:

  • Reduce distance covered and training area size
  • Reduce training duration
  • Maintain or increase the intensity of training
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Image 4: Jovanovic, M., 2014

An interesting concept called the Fitness/Fatigue relationship is an important consideration when introducing a taper. An athlete must be given the ability to recover from training, but this training must also meet and exceed the physiological demands of the game in order to load the athlete effectively so that they need a period of recovery.

References

  1. Fessi, M.S., Zarrouk, N., Di Salvo, V., Filetti, C., Barker, A.R. and Moalla, W., 2016. Effects of tapering on physical match activities in professional soccer players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 34(24), pp.2189-2194
  2. Plisk, S.S. and Stone, M.H., 2003. Periodization strategies. Strength & Conditioning Journal, 25(6), pp.19-37

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About RYPT

At RYPT we’re dedicated to making the delivery of individualized fitness programs, and the gathering of performance data frictionless, so that coaches have the insights they need to optimize the performance of each individual. It’s our goal to connect individuals with high-quality coaches and help coaches to optimize performance and the performance of their business.

RYPT provides coaches with a digital channel to connect with their clients and athletes and bespoke tools to build, and deliver individualized training programs and monitor exercise, training load, well-being, and nutrition data. Giving coaches the full picture of their client’s and athlete’s performance, and the insights they need to make data-led decisions to optimize performance, prevent overtraining and injury, and improve results. The RYPT coaching platform is supported by eCommerce functionality with powerful automation to help coaches monetize their expertise by reaching more remote clients.

Performance Periodization Programming Tapering

About the author

Caoimhe Morris

Caoimhe is an S&C Coach and Sport Scientist based in Dublin. Caoimhe has completed a BA in Sports Coaching, an MSc in Sports Performance, and is also an accredited S&C through the IRFU. Caoimhe has worked in a wide range of roles in a variety of sports. Along with her role as Head of Education at DSS, Caoimhe is also the Women’s Coordinator at Rugby Academy Ireland, a Sports Scientist & Performance Coach with Basketball Ireland, and Head Coach of the Mount Temple Senior Cup Rugby Team.

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