A systematic approach to training that divides the training year into specific phases or periods, each with distinct goals and methods. This method optimizes performance by varying training stress and allowing for proper adaptation and recovery.
From Greek 'periodos' meaning a cycle or circuit, combined with the suffix '-ization' meaning the process of making. Developed by Soviet sports scientists in the 1960s, this concept revolutionized athletic training by applying scientific principles to workout planning.
Periodization is like being the conductor of a year-long symphony - every movement builds toward the crescendo of competition! This Soviet-era innovation helped Eastern European athletes dominate Olympics for decades because it treated training like a science rather than just 'practice harder,' giving athletes structured progression that prevented burnout while maximizing gains.
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