MODERN PROCEDURES FOR THE
CONSTRUCTION OF
MACROCVCLES
By L.P . Matveyev
The author discusses the construction of macrocycles and presents several
variations of recommended mesocycles in the preparation and the competition
periods. The article is a condensed translation from Studientexte zum Lehrgebiet,
published by Deutsche Hochschule fur Korpercultur, Leipzig, former German
Democratic Republic. Re-printed with permission from Modern Athlete and Coach.
Macrocycles normally cover the training processes of a year, or half a year, and are
made up from several meso- and microcycles that differ in their structure and contents.
The objective in the construction and co-ordination of the single elements of a
macrocycle is an optimal development of the performance through different phases,
divided into preparation, competition and transition periods.
The first period of a macrocycle must always be a period of fundamental preparations to
develop the necessary pre-requisites for top performances by improving the level of the
functional capacities of the organism. The stability of this base depends largely on the
general preparation state of an athlete. The higher it is, the better are the possibilities to
establish a "foundation" for higher performances.
At the same time, it must be taken into consideration that there are limits to how much
the total volume of general preparations can be increased. There is also a definite
correlation between general and specific preparations in which the specific preparation
becomes increasingly more important as the athlete's performance level improves.
For these reasons, it is common to divide the preparation period into general and
specific phases. However, without discussing this terminology, we would like to draw
attention to the fact this structure of the preparation period is not realistic. Each of the
two phases has specific structural elements that change during the training in order to
establish a system of mesocycles that correspond to the actual demands.
MESOCYCLES IN THE PREPARATION PERIOD
Experience and the available theoretical material allows us to accept that the first
phase of the preparation period is characterized by two types of mesocycles - the
introductory mesocycles and the fundamental mesocycles. The second phase
includes, next to the fundamental cycles, control and preparation, as well as
perfection and pre-competition types of mesocycles.
The introductory mesocycles have the character of continually increased loading,
particularly in endurance events. These mesocycles can in certain situations be repeated
with an increased load. The need for a repetition depends on the adaptation capacity of
an athlete, on the specific demands of the event and the type of work executed in
previous training.
The dominating type of mesocycles in the preparation period is the fundamental
cycle. These cycles are expected to improve the functional capabilities of the
organism and to re-arrange or to stabilize the previously established performance
format. From this viewpoint, it is possible to divide fundamental mesocycles into
developmental and stabilizing types. The number of fundamental cycles in the
training program depends largelyon the time available for the preparations.
The control and preparation mesocycles are regarded as transition phases between the
fundamental and competition cycles. These cycles are combined with some minor
competitions or control tests to evaluate the progress of the preparations for the main
competitions. The perfection mesocycles are attached to the control and preparation
cycles to eliminate any shortcomings discovered during the latter cycles.
The described mesocycles are made up from three to six mesocycles. The general work
load is here in most cases based on a wave-like pattern in which the load drops to its
lowest level in the last microcycle, known as the restoration cycle. Although the duration
of the mesocycles is influenced by several factors, it is generally accepted that it should
be about a month in the preparation period.
Mesocycles in the preparation period can be regarded to be building blocks. Under
different situations it is possible to use all, or only part of the blocks, to complete the
preparation period. In case of a prolonged, all-year, macrocycle (common in endurance
sports), the mesocycle system can be organized as follows:
Introductory + Fundamental (developmental) + Fundamental (stabilizing) +
Control/Preparation + Perfection + Pre-competition.
This system covers the full compliment of mesocycles.
Other variations can, for example, be based on:
1. Variations for a shortened preparation period in the year's training cycle
(explosive power events):
2. Introductory + Fundamental + Control/Preparation + Perfection (with elements of
the pre-competition cycle), or
Introductory + Fundamental + Fundamental (including some control
competitions) + Pre-competition (with elements of the perfection cycle).
2. A variation for a half-year preparation period:
Introductory
+ Fundamental
Pre-competition.
2. A restorative
and supportive
cycle+that
is included after a series of demanding
competitions and is based on the structure of the preparation cycle with a
3. Areduced
variationtraining
for the load.
second half cycle in double periodization:
Introductory
+ Fundamental
(shock
type) + Pre-competition.
The changes
from the competition
to interval
mesocycles
depend on the duration of
the competition calendar as well as some other minor factors. The following variations
MESOCYCLES IN THE COMPETITION PERIOD
are possible:
TheroleCompetition
of the competitions
in the second
half of(restorative/supportive)
the macrocycle is well known.
While it
1 + Competition
2 + Interval
+
is not our
aim to establish
at all cost the
of competitions,
Competition
3, or Competition
1 +number
Competition
2 + Intervalit should nevertheless
be kept(restorative/preparatory)
in mind that the arrangement
of competitions
according4,
toor;
their significance is
+ Competition
3 + Competition
one of the most important factors in planning of the training processes. Only a limited
number
of competitions
can during the
period have fundamental
Competition
1 + Competition
2 +competition
Interval (restorative/preparatory)
+ Competition
characteristics.
3 - Interval (restorative/supportive) + Competition 4.
A relatively
limited number
of main
is the
key factor
in the structuring of
One
of the interval
mesocycles
cancompetitions
be replaced by
a specific
pre-competition
training during
the competition
period.
The preparations
the
loadindynamics
have
to
preparation
phase
when the most
important
competitionsand
take
place
the middle
or in
be
organized
accordingly.
The
intervals
between
the
main
competitions
are
here
not
the second half of the competition period. This applies particularly to situations when the
only dictated
main
starts take
by the
place
reproduction
at higher altitudes
of the performance
or in hot climates.
capacity,
In this
but are
casealso
the dependent
structure of
the
competition
period
as follows:
on the
preparations
for looks
the climax
competitions.
Theremaining
competitions
have an2entirely
different
meaning. They are+normally
Competition
1 + Competition
+ Interval
(restorative/supportive)
approached
without 3special
preparations+and
serve as part
Competition
+ Pre-competition
Competition
4. of specific training means.
Because of a limited psychological and physical after-effect, the intervals between the
preparatory
competitions
canoften
be much
shorterwhen
than the
between
main
competitions.
Compromising
solutions are
necessary
interval
cycles
have to beThe
intervals are
restricted
by the
required
for the
restoration
of performance
replaced.
Theusually
possibilities
include
an time
increased
training
load
during some
of the days of
capacities.
A
series
of
starts
in
preparatory
competitions,
with
short
(2
to
3
the pre-competition cycle, or even during some days of the last week prior days)
to the
intervals, is sometimes
to achieve
accumulating
effect.
competition.
However, itappropriate
should be kept
ln mindanthat
the reliability
of this action becomes
doubtful whenever a tight competition calendar is involved.
The basic structure of the competition period is made up from preparatory competitions,
the
climax competition
and a to
short
post-competition
restoration
phase. ln
Its simplest
Consequently,
it is advisable
employ
during a prolonged
competition
period
with a
format
the competition
is made
from
three mesocycles:
large number
of starts aperiod
system
whereup
main
competitions
are followed by interval
mesocycles. At the same time it is necessary to decide which variation of the
1 + for
Competition
2 +situation.
Competition 3
mesocycles Competition
is most suitable
a particular
THE TRANSITION
PERIOD
The duration of the single mesocycles
ranges from
two to six weeks and their structure
depends on the specific demands of an event and the competition calendar. The
structure
complicated
whenon
the
competition
period
exceeds
three or four
lt
appearsbecomes
advisablemore
to add
a few remarks
the
subject of the
transition
period.
months, inwe
which
interval mesocycles
are required.
two
Although
hearcase
occasionally
recommendations
to dropWe
thisdistinguish
phase frombetween
the
types of interval
mesocycles:
macrocycle,
there
are no well founded arguments to support this. On the contrary, there
appears to be no justification to discuss the subject any further, as the transition period
remains
importantand
linkpreparation
in the structure
macrocycles.
1. Aan
restoration
cycleofthat
follows a short active recovery and is
based on the principles of the fundamental and perfection mesocycles of the
preparation period.
