What characterizes a taper in training?

A taper in training is characterized by gradually reducing volume while maintaining intensity. This strategy is employed to allow the body to recover and repair from the rigorous training accumulated over weeks or months while ensuring that the athlete retains their peak performance levels.

During this period, athletes typically reduce the total amount of running or training they do in order to prevent fatigue and overtraining. However, it's important to maintain the intensity of workouts, as this helps preserve the fitness gains made during the training cycle. Essentially, the taper period aims to optimize performance by balancing recovery with the need to stay sharp and ready for competition.

The approach of simply dropping overall training volume without losing intensity is key to maximizing physiological adaptations, avoiding burnout, and ensuring athletes feel fresh for their events.