Macrocycles
A macrocycle is a period within the Annual plan that lasts between 4 to 6 weeks. Macrocycles are designed to control the training level within each preparation phase. For instance, 3 weeks of increasing intensity cannot be maintained for an entire macrocycle therefore it is followed by a lower intensity week. A ratio can be achieved and therefore gradually increase performance within each macrocycle and gradually over a year to. Below is a competitive macrocycle relating to netball.
Microcycles |
A microcycle are the periods no longer than a week that correspond within each macrocycle. They are essentially the next level of the annual plan. For instance 1 macrocycle can consist of 6 microcycles for a total time period that is a week. Microcycles have their own intensity and volume factors that improve performance.
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