Criteria for identifying and assessing sports training periodization models

Abstract

Periodization is a methodological system that distributes training contents. With the evolution of sports, several periodization models were developed based on Matveev's classic periodization, Verkhoshansky's Blocks periodization model, Vorobiev's Modular, Arosiev and Kalinin's Pendular, Tschiene's High Load, Valdivielso's ATR, Platonov's Multicyclical, and Bompa's Priority, among others. The vast majority of models - and even their variations - have made it difficult to classify and select which periodization to use. To that end, the aim of the present study was to create criteria to identify sports training periodization models and, with the use of analysis and discussion of their characteristics, propose a classification and indicate the applicability of the most widely cited models in the literature. In the methodology of this study, a group technique known as direct discussion was used. The group consisted of 20 Master's students, all researchers of the models proposed and sports training students at the Science of Human Motricity Course of Castelo Branco University, in addition to four discussion mediators. Despite a number of conceptual differences, the results show that most of the contemporary periodization training models derive from Matveev's model, in an attempt to meet the demands currently imposed by sports. We analyzed the models investigated and concluded that despite their diversity, some characteristics are common and help distinguish each of them in terms of structure, load variation, number of peaks, sports level and applicability.