Bell, Lee; Nolan, David; Velu, Immonen; Helms, Eric; Dallamore, Jake; Wolf, Milo; Korakais, Patroklos Androulakis

dc.contributor.author	Bell, Lee
dc.contributor.author	Nolan, David
dc.contributor.author	Velu, Immonen
dc.contributor.author	Helms, Eric
dc.contributor.author	Dallamore, Jake
dc.contributor.author	Wolf, Milo
dc.contributor.author	Korakais, Patroklos Androulakis
dc.date.accessioned	2023-03-22T14:53:08Z
dc.date.available	2023-03-22T14:53:08Z
dc.date.copyright	2022
dc.date.issued	2022-12-12
dc.identifier.citation	Bell, L., Nolan D., Immonen, V., Helms, E, Dallamore, J., Wolf, M., Korakakis, P.A. (2022).Frontiers in Sports and Active Living. 4:1073223. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2022.1073223	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	https://research.thea.ie/handle/20.500.12065/4433
dc.description.abstract	Deloading refers to a purposeful reduction in training demand with the intention of enhancing preparedness for successive training cycles. Whilst deloading is a common training practice in strength and physique sports, little is known about how the necessary reduction in training demand should be accomplished. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to determine current deloading practices in competitive strength and physique sports. Eighteen strength and physique coaches from a range of sports (weightlifting, powerlifting, and bodybuilding) participated in semi-structured interviews to discuss their experiences of deloading. The mean duration of coaching experience at ≥ national standard was 10.9 (SD = 3.9) years. Qualitative content analysis identified Three categories: definitions, rationale, and application. Participants conceptualised deloading as a periodic, intentional cycle of reduced training demand designed to facilitate fatigue management, improve recovery, and assist in overall training progression and readiness. There was no single method of deloading; instead, a reduction in training volume (achieved through a reduction in repetitions per set and number of sets per training session) and intensity of effort (increased proximity to failure and/or reduction in relative load) were the most adapted training variables, along with alterations in exercise selection and configuration. Deloading was typically prescribed for a duration of 5 to 7 days and programmed every 4 to 6 weeks, although periodicity was highly variable. Additional findings highlight the underrepresentation of deloading in the published literature, including a lack of a clear operational definition.	en_US
dc.format	PDF	en_US
dc.language.iso	eng	en_US
dc.publisher	Frontiers	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Frontiers in Sports and Active Living	en_US
dc.rights	Attribution- 3.0 United States	*
dc.rights.uri	http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/	*
dc.subject	Training cessation	en_US
dc.subject	Detraining effect	en_US
dc.subject	Periodisation	en_US
dc.subject	Reduced training	en_US
dc.subject	Tapering	en_US
dc.title	"You can't shoot another bullet until you've reloaded the gun". Perceptions, practices and experiences of deloading in strength and physique sports.	en_US
dc.type	info:eu-repo/semantics/article	en_US
dc.contributor.affiliation	Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest	en_US
dc.description.peerreview	yes	en_US
dc.identifier.doi	10.3389/fspor.2022.1073223	en_US
dc.identifier.eissn	2624-9367
dc.identifier.issue	This article was submitted to Elite Sports and Performance Enhancement, a section of the journal Frontiers in Sports and Active Living	en_US
dc.identifier.orcid	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0743-8801	en_US
dc.identifier.volume	4	en_US
dc.rights.accessrights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess	en_US
dc.subject.department	Department of Sports & Health Sciences. TUS Midlands	en_US
dc.type.version	info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion	en_US