Comparison of Polarized Versus Other Types of Endurance Training Intensity Distribution on Athletes' Endurance Performance: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.

Silva Oliveira P, Boppre G, Fonseca H

Sports medicine (Auckland, N.Z.) · August 1, 2024

Background: Polarized training intensity distribution (POL) was recently suggested to be superior to other training intensity distribution (TID) regimens for endurance performance improvement. Methods: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 437 subjects). Pooled effect estimates suggest POL superiority for improving VO2peak (SMD = 0.24 [95% CI 0.01, 0.48]; z = 2.02 (p = 0.040); 11 studies, n = 284; I2 = 0%; high certainty of evidence). Superiority, however, only occurred in shorter interventions (< 12 weeks) and for highly trained athletes. The remaining endurance performance surrogates (time trial, time to exhaustion, threshold speed/power) were similarly affected by POL and other TIDs. Conclusions: POL is superior to other TIDs for improving VO2peak, particularly in shorter duration interventions and highly trained athletes. However, the effect of POL was similar to that of other TIDs on the remaining surrogates of endurance performance.

PMID: 38717713 · DOI: 10.1007/s40279-024-02034-z