A Comparison of Exercise Selection Manipulation Versus Intensity and Load Manipulation on In-Season Collegiate Track and Field Athletes

Introduction: The importance of periodization variables in research for athletic populations is drastically overlooked. Proper periodization can allow for maximizing athletic performance as well as reduction of common injuries found in sport. Purpose: The purpose of this research is to compare the effects of exercise selection variation versus exercise load and intensity variation on absolute strength and power measures across a 4-week training block for in-season collegiate athletes. Methods: 14 Subjects both male and female on a division 2 collegiate track and field team participated in 4 weeks of exercise sessions with two groups being one where exercise load and intensity were used as a variable versus exercise selection being used as a variable of programming. Absolute strength measures were used by measuring a 1RM back squat using the GymAware device and power using a vertical jump, jump mat. Results: Results indicate that no significance was found between the change in vertical jump or back squat 1RM from pre-post of either group (p>.05). Informal statistics had shown slight improvements in means from the exercise load and intensity group but when numbers were made relative to the subject improvement, the exercise selection group had improved more. Discussion: The results lend to the idea that a block greater than 4 weeks may be needed in order to elicit training adaptations favorable to the outcome of one group over the other. In addition, both groups had improved which may also lend to the idea that variation in general is necessary and it does not matter which type of variation. Conclusion: In conclusion, no definitive method of introducing variation was found favorable over another in the research.