"Anaerobic Speed/Power Reserve and Sport Performance: Scientific Basis, Current Applications and Future Directions" [Article Review]

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The provided source outlines the scientific foundation and practical utility of the anaerobic speed and power reserve (ASR/APR), defined as the range between an athlete’s maximal aerobic capacity and their absolute sprinting peak. This framework moves beyond traditional metrics to better explain an individual's tolerance for high-intensity efforts, emphasizing that the proportion of the reserve used is a more accurate predictor of fatigue than aerobic speed alone. By identifying whether an athlete possesses a speed, endurance, or hybrid profile, coaches can tailor macro-level periodization and micro-level workout design to optimize performance. For instance, the text suggests that speed-dominant athletes may respond better to short intervals or repeated sprint training rather than long-duration efforts that could cause maladaptation. Ultimately, the authors argue that integrating this locomotor profiling into training prescription allows for more individualized and effective preparation in both individual and team sports. This approach helps minimize the risk of overtraining while ensuring athletes are physiologically equipped for the high-speed demands of elite competition.

• Superior Training Prescription: For exercise intensities beyond an athlete's maximal aerobic capacity, the proportion of the ASR/APR utilized is a more accurate determinant of physiological stress and exercise tolerance than traditional metrics like the percentage of MAS/MAP. Prescribing high-intensity interval training (HIIT) as a fraction of the ASR/APR can lead to more uniform physiological stress and adaptation across athletes with diverse profiles.

• Individualized Athlete Profiling: The ASR/APR, when assessed in conjunction with the absolute values of MAS/MAP and MSS/MPP, provides a practical, field-based method to create a "locomotor profile" for an athlete. This profile serves as a proxy for underlying biological characteristics, such as muscle fiber typology, allowing for classification into 'Speed', 'Hybrid', or 'Endurance' dominant categories.

• A Framework for Tailored Training: Locomotor profiling is a powerful tool for individualizing training at both the macro (annual planning) and micro (daily workouts) levels. This approach helps coaches select appropriate training models (e.g., continuous volume vs. interval-based) and specific HIIT formats (e.g., short vs. long intervals) best suited to an athlete's profile, thereby optimizing adaptation and minimizing the risk of non-responses or maladaptation.

• Competitive and Tactical Implications: In elite competition, while absolute locomotor speeds are paramount, the ASR/APR is crucial for understanding an athlete's capacity for decisive "surges." In team sports, varying locomotor profiles can predispose players to specific tactical roles and impact their fatigue development during matches, offering coaches valuable information for positional selection and conditioning strategies.

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