A Practical Approach to the Taper

Abstract

TAPERING IS A TECHNIQUE OF SYSTEMATICALLY DECREASING TRAINING LOAD TO FACILITATE A PHYSIOLOGIC FITNESS PEAK. THE TAPER IS A COMPLEX TECHNIQUE BECAUSE LOAD CAN BE REDUCED THROUGH THE MANIPULATION OF NUMEROUS VARIABLES, SUCH AS TRAINING INTENSITY, VOLUME, DURATION, AND FREQUENCY. AN EXTENSIVE BODY OF RESEARCH HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO ANALYZING THE OPTIMAL COMBINATION OF THESE VARIABLES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE WAS TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN RESEARCH AND PRACTICE, AS IT PERTAINS TO THE TAPER.