Thus, there is no basis to expect training effects from one form of exercise to transfer to any other form of exercise. However, training is not very beneficial when stimuli are mixed. When training tasks vary and do not provide important repetitions or volume of an experience, the body continually attempts to adapt to changing conditions. If the volume of mixed work is sufficiently high, a general change in the physical status of the body is achieved requiring restitution during recovery. Unfortunately, there is no accompanying skill or resource utilization improvement.
Mixed programs are satisfactory for general fitness improvements.
They are not beneficial for specific performance improvements. When specific training objectives are desired, no matter what the phase of training, training stimuli should feature repetitions or extensive volumes without interruptions from other stimuli which disrupt the adaptation signals being generated. Consistent stimulus demands need to produce a level of fatigue that debilitates performance to the level that a particular quality can no longer be sustained because of technique degradation and despite increased effort. Return to Table of Contents for this issue .