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I have watched the readiness to train (RTT)area involve into a complex science over the last 25 years. All sorts of performance tests, musculoskeletal screens, test of neuromuscular status, biochemical markers, assessments of autonomic nervous system status, monitoring sleep, subjective wellness and psychometric inventories, measures of internal and external load, acute and chronic fatigue, etc. It is all a little overwhelming.

Nonetheless, have you used PIRR to try and unravel this for your sporting context. How do you know when to overload or under-load your athletes? Or do you stick to the periodised plan? Have you a system in place to determine RTT? It could be as simple as weighing in (monitoring hydration), a sit and reach test to determine any tissue mobility issues, and/or a couple questions on energy/motivation and rest/sleep. Or we could keep it even more simple and ask the athlete “how are you feeling?” Alternatively, do you have auto-regulatory training systems in place?

This RTT is certainly an area that would benefit from a PIRR approach as the limitations of periodisation are highlighted, and the need for living and fluid programming is emphasised. Any thoughts?

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