In sports training and exercise physiology, a mesocycle is a specific phase or segment of a structured training program. Mesocycles are typically used in periodization, a systematic approach to organizing and planning training to achieve specific fitness or performance goals.
A mesocycle can vary in duration, but it is usually several weeks to a few months long. During a mesocycle, athletes or individuals focus on particular aspects of their training, such as strength, endurance, power, or skill development. Mesocycles are often grouped to form a macrocycle (the overall training plan) and subdivided into microcycles (shorter training periods, usually a week or less) for more detailed planning.
Using mesocycles and periodization aims to optimize training adaptations, prevent overtraining, and peak performance at specific times, such as for a competition or event. By manipulating training variables like intensity, volume, and rest, athletes can progressively build their fitness and skills while allowing adequate recovery between training phases.
The concept of mesocycles and the periodisation of training were popularized by a Soviet sports scientist and coach named Leo Matveyev (also spelled as Matveev or Matviev). Matveyev's work in the mid-20th century, notably his book "Fundamentals of Sports Training," introduced the idea of periodization, which includes dividing training into different phases, such as macrocycles, mesocycles, and microcycles.
Matveyev's research and systematic approach to training greatly influenced the development of sports training methodologies, not only in the Soviet Union but also around the world. His ideas laid the foundation for modern sports training and have been adopted and adapted by coaches and athletes across various disciplines. Today, periodisation remains a fundamental principle in sports training and is widely recognized as an effective way to optimize athletic performance and avoid overtraining.
