By Ronald Hehn, Concordia College Head Coach<\/i><\/p>\n
PHOENIX, Arizona, July 30. THIS workout is designed to improve performance speed and general fitness. Performance may be improved by achieving specific speed provided consistent amounts of rest (e.g. USRPT); fitness gains may be made at various speeds and durations of rest. Due to the inevitable onset of fatigue, performance speed is only sustainable over limited distances. It is more realistic to sustain a performance speed over a short distance, while longer distances may improve general fitness at a non-specific speed.<\/p>\n
Diagnosis of general fitness is subjective; an athlete is either in \u201cgood\u201c or \u201cbad\u201d shape. Meanwhile, the evaluation of performance is objective. Performance speed must be specifically and objectively trained because performances are timed to the hundredth-of-a-second. The purpose of Speed<\/i> segments is to develop motor skills applicable to performance scenarios. On the other hand, general fitness may be conditioned under various conditions because it does not specifically affect performance. The purpose of the Fitness<\/i> component is to provide a non-specific training opportunity that improves the general physical health and cardiovascular efficiency of the athlete; the Speed<\/i> components are designed to improve performance.<\/p>\n
Performance speed may be improved by simulating specific physiological scenarios experienced during a race. Thus, performance of the Fitness<\/i> component must be dissociated from Speed<\/i> components. During Speed<\/i> components, the athlete must achieve specific times according to a goal time. On the other hand, swimming within a range of heart rates may improve the general fitness of the athlete. Although performance may vary during the Fitness<\/i> component, improved speed requires specific performance.<\/p>\n
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