What does maintaining intensity during a taper help achieve?

Maintaining intensity during a taper is crucial for achieving enhanced physical readiness for peak performance. Tapering involves reducing the overall training volume while maintaining the intensity of workouts, which helps the body recover from the accumulated fatigue of a training cycle without losing the peak performance adaptations that have been developed.

During tapering, athletes can help optimize their physical readiness by engaging in high-intensity workouts that encourage the maintenance of neuromuscular adaptations and peak conditioning. This strategy allows for the retention of competitive fitness levels while enabling the body to recover from training stresses, ultimately leading to improved performance on the day of the event.

By not completely eliminating intensity, athletes can keep their muscle fibers primed for explosive and fast-twitch demands, improving their overall speed and strength when it matters most. This careful balance in tapering directly supports the goal of peak performance during a race or event.