One Sprinter, Two Olympic Preparations: A Single-Athlete Longitudinal Observational Study of Training-Intensity Distribution and Implications for Future 50 m Events.

ABSTRACT: Purpose: This single-athlete, longitudinal observational study describes training intensity distribution (TID) across two Olympic preparation cycles (Rio 2016 vs. Tokyo 2021) and explores whether differences in high-intensity exposure coincided with performance outcomes. Methods: An elite male 50 m freestyle specialist (personal best 21.27 s; height: 187 cm, weight: 80 kg, body mass index: 22.9 kg·m^-2, fat-free mass: 75.2 kg, and fat mass: 4.8 kg) was monitored across four mesocycle periods. TID is expressed as % of total swim volume in three zones: Z1 (low intensity), Z2 (threshold), Z3 [high intensity/race-pace, including High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) and Sprint Interval Training (SIT)]. Both the coach and swimmer signed a written informed consent for t

SUBMITTER: Papadimitriou K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12845544 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature