No matter how talented or dexterous the athlete, if he fatigues at the late stages of a close competition, all of his skill training will have been wasted.
Many sports require contributions from both the aerobic and anaerobic metabolic systems and this necessitates different modalities of training. Proper conditioning of the aerobic system is vital to the ability of the player to sustain such activity and adequately recover.
To improve aerobic endurance performance, training programs must be designed to enhance the function of the respiratory, cardiovascular, and musculoskeletal systems. Specific adaptations in these systems allow for greater utilization of fat as a fuel source and increased oxygen delivery to the body tissues being stressed.
The traditional concept of developing an "aerobic base" for purposes of recovery in anaerobic sports is still misunderstood. Our athletes can gain aerobic training adaptations without time consuming long-distance running and its associated injuries, because we design more sport-specific training programs based on the time and intensity structure of their sport.
Successful performance in aerobic endurance events is dependent on a number of factors including: increased oxygen delivery to the working tissues, a higher rate of aerobic energy production (maximal aerobic power), reduced disturbance of the acid-based balance (high lactate threshold), superior exercise economy (efficient technique and mechanics resulting in less energy expenditure), an elevated ability to use fat as a fuel source (sparing muscle and liver glycogen stores), and a high percentage of Type I (slow-twitch) muscle fibers, which have a high capacity for aerobic metabolism.
Aerobic power is the maximum rate at which an athlete can produce energy through oxidation of energy resources and is expressed as a volume of oxygen consumed per kg. of body weight per min (VO2max). The capacity to use oxygen is related primarily to the ability of the heart and circulatory system to transport oxygen and to the ability of body tissues to use it. Our aerobic endurance protocols improve the oxidative capacity of skeletal muscle and delay the onset of the significant glycolytic (and lactic acid buildup) contribution to exercise metabolism. In addition, we are pioneering the use of innovative breathing devices that enhance lung volume and train accessory respiratory muscles. Our proprietary devices can increase lung tidal volume and minute ventilation up to 25%.
BMT combines this training with precompetition strategies such as tapering, which involves the systematic reduction of training duration and intensity combined with an increased emphasis on technique work and combined nutritional intervention.
