Periodization: Macrocycles, Mesocycles, and Microcycles | CSCS Chapter 21

In this video, we'll make sense of periodization terminology (macrocycle, mesocycle, and microcycle) and apply it to the typical sport season. We'll also talk about which fitness characteristics to emphasize during each of these periods.

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Haff, G. G., & Triplett, N. T. (2015). Essentials of strength training and conditioning 4th edition. Human kinetics.

Disclaimer: This video does not have any affiliation with, or any recognition, sponsorship, or endorsement by, the NSCA. CSCS® and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® are registered trademarks of the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

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Have a great day and remember to move well, live well, and teach others to do the same!

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Dr. Jacob Goodin is a professor of kinesiology at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU), and holds a PhD in Sport Physiology and Performance from East Tennessee State University. He has over a decade of experience as a strength and conditioning coach and sport scientist from the high school to NCAA Division I levels. In addition to his role as a professor and research mentor, Dr. Goodin directs the Athlete Monitoring Initiative at PLNU, which provides testing and monitoring services to over 200 athletes yearly as well as research opportunities for kinesiology students.

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[dereklinck]

The amount of specificity that you can give your body is amazing. Seeing how utilizing certain training regimens to maximize your gains pre-season, in-competition, and post-season. I love nerding out and trying to come up with a great training plan that is both super fun and functionally effective.

[ColeCardinale]

Dr. Goodin,

The various cycles that an athlete goes through has always been an area where I showed a lot of interest and this video has helped break each one down and really look what goes into each cycle!

[ashleymoratayaa]

Dr. Goodin, thank you for breaking down the load, reps, and sets for each period (off-season, preseason, etc.). Your explanation of how each periods are different from each other helped me understand this better for the CSCS exam!

[josebimbela]

As someone passionate about periodization, I really liked how you approached the explanation of its key concepts, as well as mentioning of gradually increasing the training load when athletes are coming back just as the “CSCCa and NSCA Joint Consensus Guidelines for Transition Periods: Safe Return to Training Following Inactivity” suggest to do.

[BrianaReynoso]

I found it super helpful that this video broke down each period, it really helped me grasp each one better

[torilucht]

I've heard about periodization before but this video did a great job breaking it down and giving tangible examples on what an athlete should be doing during each phase.

[joshuasaetern]

It’s great having an explanation of the different cycles and how the first transition phase differs from the second!

[AylethLizarraga]

The breaking down of each period/cycle was very helpful in understanding the difference between all of them!

[kelli-lynroche]

I appreciate how you talked about the different intensities for each period of training.

[emilywalker]

What a fascinating video. I was really fascinated about year long training, and appreciated how you noted multisport athletes. I always wondered about that. Ive seen how advantageous it is to cross train with other sports, alongside training in a different environment like sand soccer or beach volleyball. This video got me thinking for sure!

[matthewwadley]

This was an incredible video breaking down periodization stage by stage

[wyattcarlson]

This video was super interesting with how you broke down the different periodization aspects in the world of sports and an individual sports season cycle.

[parkerroberson]

I enjoyed your brief comments on the the collegiate system particularly discussing soccer athletes - fatigue is inevitable for starters, during the competition phase often the best players even fatigued from competition (2 games per week) are still the best option for the team's success. Load management is extremely difficult without risking a championship

[MatthewDuPrey]

It was very helpful for me that you went ahead and went into detail about each of the different periods.

[laynelarsen]

This was helpful to be able to visualize how periodization and programming can be scheduled and aligned with athletes/teams around the season.

[IsraelSwanson-orim]

Would love to see an in depth video on undulating periodization! Let me know when you get one up. Im also curious how often you add in new movements when you are programming for athletes?

[moirabryson]

I really liked how you gave a detailed explanation of each period and how it fit into the seasons. Thank you!

[wyntonbrown]

This video made a lot more sense because of your brief explanation of this in class last week!

[Justin-bocx]

I like how you added practicality for the periodization model specifically tailored to sport athletes

[jacobfortes]

Dr. Goodin,

Thank you for your edits on Matveyev's model of periodization @ the 7:00 minute mark. It very clearly demonstrates with the curve how volume, intensity, and technique differ depending where one is at with their periodization cycle. Thank you!