Effect of High Intensity Low Volume and High Intensity Moderate Volume Tapering Training on Mood Disturbance

Abstract Objective- The researchers aimed to investigate the effect of high intensity low volume and high intensity moderate volume tapering strategies on psychological traits in endurance athletes. Methodology- Thirty-seven young endurance athletes (mean age: 20±1.97 years; mean training period: 2.43±0.603 years) were randomly assigned to high intensity low-volume (HILV) and high-intensity moderate volume (HIMV) taper groups. Training frequencies were five times per week conducted for 2 weeks in both groups. At baseline and after 2 weeks of the taper intervention, psychological (TMD; characterized by the aggression, depression, tension, fatigue, confusion and vigor sub states) were measured by using self administer profiles of mood state (POMS) questionnaires. Result- We investigated the effect of the HILV and HIMV taper training on the mood disturbance of endurance athletes and positive psychological traits changes were observed in both HILV and HIMV taper groups regardless of the differences in volume reductions during the two-week taper period. Comparisons of the strategies did not reveal significant differences between the taper groups. In addition, finding from multiple regression models emphasizing on the prediction power of the tapering training strategies on the mood disturbance revealed that HILV taper could predicting the TMD in endurance athletes.Conclusion- Both taper strategies characterized by HILV and HIMV training load have beneficial effects on the improvement of endurance related psychological traits.