Abstract
The study aimed to analyse the peculiarities of training athletes in preparation for an ultramarathon race. The study addressed the three phases of preparation for sports competitions – transition and recovery, the central training phase and the main competitive phase – and included a sample of 174 participants from Europe and other countries. The study revealed physiological and psycho-emotional characteristics of ultramarathon participants that distinguish them from participants in races at different distances and determine the peculiarities of the training process. These features include a lower body mass index of ultramarathon runners and an active desire to reduce it to achieve better results, a higher average age of ultramarathon participants, previous experience in other sports, and the integration of certain sports, mainly summer sports, into the process of training for a long-distance race. Based on the profiles of 65 participants who were preparing for an ultra-marathon race, the following training strategies were analysed: preliminary analysis of an athlete’s profile to individualise training efforts; planning a sports season with three phases of training (recovery, preparation and competition) or a double training cycle; a combination of continuous low-intensity running and interval training; use of tracks with different surfaces to adapt to mechanical stress; parallel training in other sports to improve athletes’ stability and endurance skills; ensuring long and quality sleep to prevent cognitive and psycho-emotional exhaustion of the competitors. The recommendations can be applied to the further development of the marathon movement in the country and abroad
Keywords
sports season; athlete’s profile; endurance; oxygen saving; anthropometric indicators; motivation
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