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Concept2 Training Guide

Training Considerations - Biological Age

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Although putting children into chronological age groups fits neatly into the academic system, for physiological purposes it is the biological age that is important. Tables 10.2 and 10.3 are schematic presentations of adaptation to training and optimal trainability for girls and boys. Age grouping is simple and a system that everyone understands and so is a good place to start. But because the biological differences can be so great, especially between the ages of 10-16, there are other indicators we can use to determine critical periods. Having identified these critical periods then if the correct volume, intensity and frequency of exercise are applied then accelerated adaptation will take place.

Table 10.2

Girls
Age
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 >
Onset of Peak Height Velocity identifies biological age PHV Critical or sensitive period of trainability
Stamina-peak aerobic velocity PAV PAV Accelerated adaptation in the aerobic system
VO2 max increases significantly after the onset of PHV VO2 Max Non weight bearing aerobic activities reduce injury risks
Peak Speed Velocity Speed 1 Two Windows Speed 2 Window 1 is due to central nervous system, Windo 2 is due to energy system
Skills 8-11 Window Skills trainability declines after age 11

Table 10.3

Boys
Age
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 >
Onset of Peak Height Velocity identifies biological age PHV Critical or sensitive period of trainability
Stamina-peak aerobic velocity PAV PAV Critical or sensitive period of trainability
VO2 max increases significantly after the onset of PHV VO2 Max Non weight bearing aerobic activities reduce injury risks
Peak Speed Velocity Speed 1 Window 1 is due to central nervous system Speed 2 Window 2 is due to energy system
Skills 9-12 Window Skills trainability declines after age 12

NOTES:

See text below for a full explanation of terms used

PHV

Peak Height Velocity. By regularly measuring the height of children you can determine the average annual growth rate or height velocity. Pre-pubertal height velocity is around 5-6cm/year. During peak height velocity (PHV), this can increase to 9-10cm/year. PHV is a reference point for the design of optimal individual programmes with relation to critical or sensitive periods of trainability during the maturation process.

Prior to the onset of PHV boys and girls can train together and chronological age can be used to determine training, competition and recovery programmes. The average age for the onset of PHV is 12 in girls and 14 in boys however this is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, including climate, cultural and social influences.

The onset of PHV is not age dependent but is a valuable reference point not only for the development of the athletes energy systems but also the central nervous system for skills development through increased dexterity. The onset of PHV is known as the optimal window where accelerated progress can be made in the five ?S?s?, Stamina, Strength, Speed, Skill and Suppleness. During this period the athlete can cope with an increase in training volume however due regard must still be given to recovery and regeneration elements in the programme.

PAV

Peak Aerobic Velocity. During this stage the adaptation of the aerobic system to aerobic training is accelerated.

VO2 Max

VO2 max increases significantly after the onset of PHV.

Speed 1 and Speed 2

These two windows show the peak improvements in rate of movement. The first window is caused by a rapid improvement in the function of the central nervous system. The second window corresponds to the improvements in physiology, i.e. VO2 max.

Skills

The window for peak improvement in skills is not the only time when skills can be developed but it is the time when skills are developed the fastest.