Exploring the different methods behind developing Anaerobic Conditioning for CrossFit performance.

In this penultimate blog post on the subject of conditioning we will be building on what we have discussed in our last two blog posts by looking into the different methods of developing your Anaerobic conditioning.

As mentioned previously, CrossFit doesn’t rely solely on one energy system, and the way in which energy systems interact with each other means this is very rarely the case anyway. Your typical CrossFit “metcon”, is generally designed to be relatively short and intense, but how can we manipulate this to get the best results.

Your traditional short sharp AMRAP will improve your anaerobic conditioning, go into any CrossFit gym and speak to the members and they will all tell you how much their fitness has improved as a result of this kind of workout. The key to optimising these workouts is to ensure the intensity is right. Ideally you should be working around or above your lactate turn point – the point at which lactate production outweighs lactate removal. Why? Because the body’s ability to tolerate and remove lactic acid without any decrement in muscle function is a primary adaptation of anaerobic conditioning, and is a strong determinant of CrossFit performance.  If we were to quantify this in terms of heart rate, you would typically be looking at somewhere in the region of 80-85% of your maximum heart rate. So designing your workouts using movements or loads that allow you to reach this intensity is key to ensuring your workout is an effective use of your time.

Interval training is another method that can be used to develop your anaerobic conditioning and I like to split this into two different intensities. First, we have your high intensity intervals. These are performed for short periods normally ranging between 3 and 5 minutes with the intensity been slightly higher than your average metcon, typically closer to 85-90%. The benefit of these intervals isn’t necessarily that you are working at a higher intensity, but that these intervals can be repeated multiple times with equal rest periods in between, so the total time spent working at a higher intensity is greater. However, there isn’t a linear dose response and it will vary from person to person. One athlete may be able to maintain the given intensity for multiple rounds, where another may only be able to maintain that intensity for 1-2 rounds. Once the intensity drops too low the athlete will no longer be getting the intended stimulus at which point it would be advisable to stop. Over time, we would progress the athlete by increasing the number of rounds they perform, but only much as they are capable of maintaining the desired intensity.

Another method of interval training which can be used, that is particularly useful as the athlete gets close to competition and is in an intensification phase, or with team athletes, is supramaximal interval training. This is performed for a shorter duration (1-2 minutes) with a much longer rest period between intervals, anywhere between 2 and 4 times the work period. Naturally this means the intensity can be higher still (90-95% max heart rate), and again with the extended rest period can be repeated multiple times. Of course, this replicates team competition well, particularly competitions where there are 4 or more people in a team, but also replicates individual competition where it is only natural that athletes will push harder than they would on a regular training day. Conditioning your athletes to becoming accustomed to working at these intensities will allow them to work at higher intensities for longer come competition day, as well as recovering more effectively between workouts.
 
Each different method of anaerobic conditioning has its advantages and disadvantages, and should be used in conjunction with one another, not exclusively. And let’s not forget about your aerobic conditioning too! In our final blog post we will discuss when and why we use each different method of conditioning at different stages in the season, and the interaction between them.
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In summary –

• Anaerobic conditioning can be developed in one off efforts, or in intervals or varying duration and intensity.
• The intensity must be correct for the desired adaptations to occur.
• There isn’t a linear dose response, more isn’t always better.
• Know your athlete, learn what they can handle to optimise their training.