Cross Training “… is when an athlete undertakes training in a discipline other than their main sport for the sole purpose of enhancing performance in their primary event.” (Hawley & Burke P. 31) It has been primarily used as a method for retaining training adaptations. What we are really talking about here is transfer of training effect. It has been my experience that those who utilize cross training are those who already have a tendency to chronically overwork and are looking for another way to punish themselves. “Cross Training” is another garbage term that actually detracts or at the very least distracts from sound training. It certainly has very little foundation is sports science research. For a runner to get in the pool for anything more than a recovery session is time ill spent? The same is true for biking, that time on the bike would be better-spent strength training or working on flexibility, both areas that tend to be ignored. Most of the time they are ignored because the runner feels they do not have enough time to fit it in. Yet those same runners can find the time to swim for thirty minutes or bike for an hour. It is all a matter of priorities. Cross training may be OK for the recreational athlete seeking to relive the boredom of training, but for the high level athlete it is virtually useless. “Specific exercise elicits specific adaptations, creating specific training effects.” (McArdle, Katch & Katch P.394) Use your training time wisely, train to get better not tired.
McArdle, William D. Katch, Frank I. & Katch, Victor L. Fourth Edition. Exercise Physiology – Energy, Nutrition, And Human Performance. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore. 1996
Hawley, John and Burke, Louise. Peak Performance – Training and Nutritional Strategies for Sport. Allen & Unwin, St Leonards, NSW Australia. 1998
Joe Carroll PT DPT SCS
I agree with much of what you say, but I think runners in particular could benefit from more time spent in the pool,not swimming but doing specific exercises to improve flexibility, balance and power. There has been some promising research on the benefits of plyometrics done in the pool versus land with same results with less stress on the joints. “Comparison of aquatic and land plyometric training on strength, power and agility” J Aquatic Phys Therapy, 2007;15(1):11-18.
Will Kirousis
I think a few things play here. There is a personal training / infomercial mindset that creeps into athletes and coaches causing them to never want to have things be basic. Every one wants “muscle confussion” 😉 to steal an infomercial term! Look, becoming a better runner has nothing to do with cycling and swimming! It’s about resting great, living to be very healthy and training ones running ability great.
There are a lot of training modes and activities that may have the potential to do some good things. That does not mean they should be used, or that they really help free range athletes develop.
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I am so sure that it will help a lot especially to those who are really in need. Thank you so much!
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A true cornerstone for succes and often a weak point in high performance programmes. Nice part on discipline in Jim Collins’ work: From Good to Great.
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When an overuse injury does develop, cross-training comes to the rescue in two ways: by helping runners maintain fitness despite being forced to run less or not at all and by correcting the cause of the injury.
Double Glazing
Well, these training should be done with special supervision of an expert. Strenuous activities are done in the process.
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Those cross-training workouts – like core work, pool running or cycling, and strength exercises – have dramatic benefits for marathoners and shouldn’t be skipped. Knowing when to implement them in a smart training plan can help you recover faster, run more, and ultimately get that new personal best.
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Athletes needs a total workout. They should maintain their physical fitness so that they can execute with accurrancy.
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Cross training is a great way for runners to enhance their performance and build more muscle than they could through just running.