Why Staying Healthy Matters: The Role of Training Availability in Elite Athlete Success
- projectunlaced
- Aug 15
- 2 min read
The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of training modification on achieving performance goals. Previous research demonstrates an inverse relationship between injury burden and success in team sports. It is unknown whether this relationship exists within individual sports.
Methods
A prospective cohort study involving 33 international track and field athletes, covering a total of 76 athlete-seasons over five seasons of international competition.
Athletes’ training status was tracked weekly for five years. During each 6-month preparation period, the study looked at how the number of training weeks completed and the number of injury or illness events related to whether athletes met their performance goals at major championships.
Results
Athletes who completed more than 80% of their planned training weeks were 7 times more likely to reach their performance goals.
Training availability explained 86% of the successful seasons, highlighting how crucial consistent training is.
Takeaway
Injuries and illnesses that affect training availability during the preparation period play a key role in determining whether an athlete achieves their performance goals.
Conclusions
Consistent training is essential for athletes to reach their performance goals. This study shows that injuries and illnesses, especially during the early preparation phase, can significantly reduce training availability and, in turn, the chance of success. For athletes and coaches, understanding this relationship highlights the importance of injury prevention, early treatment, and carefully managing training loads. By prioritizing health and recovery, athletes can maximize their training time and improve their chances of performing their best when it counts most.
Citation
Raysmith BP, Drew MK. Performance success or failure is influenced by weeks lost to injury and illness in elite Australian track and field athletes: A 5-year prospective study. J Sci Med Sport. 2016 Oct;19(10):778-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jsams.2015.12.515. Epub 2016 Jan 7. PMID: 26839047.