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Perspectives of World-Class Endurance Coaches on the Evolution of Athlete Training and Performance
School of Sport Science, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
Myra Center for Athlete Development AS, Bærum, Norway.
Swedish Winter Sports Research Centre, Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Östersund, Sweden.
Research Institute for Sport and Exercise, University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT, Australia.
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2026 (English)In: International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, ISSN 1555-0265, E-ISSN 1555-0273, Vol. 21, no 1, p. 98-105Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Purpose: To provide insights into the key practices driving the evolution of endurance training and performance. Methods: Atotal of 78 world-class coaches (73 men, 5 women), representing 14 endurance sports, and 18 nations, participated in a digitalsurvey comprising open-ended questions about recent trends and projected future developments. Results: Qualitative thematicanalysis revealed 8 key drivers of change: (1) individualized and sport-specific training strategies, (2) precision in trainingexecution, (3) load-management procedures, (4) strategic use of environmental stressors, (5) optimized nutrition, (6) holisticrecovery practices, (7) health and injury prevention, and (8) equipment and technology-driven innovation. To provide a clearerconceptual framework, these themes were grouped into 3 overarching categories: training methodologies (themes 1–4), recoveryand health management (themes 5–7), and technological innovation (theme 8). Conclusions: World-class endurance coachesdescribe a continuing shift toward more individualized training strategies, characterized by detailed sport-specific considerations,training plans aligned with physiological profiles, greater precision in training execution, refined load management, and strategicuse of environmental stressors. In this context, advanced monitoring technologies are viewed as essential for optimizing trainingadaptations while minimizing the risk of maladaptation and injury. Coaches also emphasized the importance of enhanced healthand recovery strategies to support training adaptations, including sleep quality, stress management, life balance, and targetednutritional interventions, particularly carbohydrate availability. Finally, the rapid development of new equipment and technologies is transforming training and coaching practices, thereby contributing to improved endurance performance.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Human Kinetics Publishers Inc. , 2026. Vol. 21, no 1, p. 98-105
Keywords [en]
endurance sports, injury prevention, monitoring technology, nutrition, recovery, training-load management
National Category
Sport and Fitness Sciences
Research subject
Physiotherapy and Health Promotion
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-116018DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2025-0317ISI: 001622452700001PubMedID: 41248624Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105024966588OAI: oai:DiVA.org:ltu-116018DiVA, id: diva2:2029118
Available from: 2026-01-16 Created: 2026-01-16 Last updated: 2026-06-30Bibliographically approved

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Holmberg, Hans-Christer

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