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ELITE ATHLETE PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING

Course Description

The course aims to provide development tools and scientific knowledge for the planning and periodization of training programs in individual sports disciplines and team sports, with particular reference to the development of the elite athlete's performance.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Know the principles of periodization and training programming regarding sports performance.
• Apply the various types of periodization according to sport.
• Know how to plan training for the different periods of the competitive season.
• Know how to structure annual and multi-year training programmes for individual endurance and power sports.
• Create training plans, according to competitive level, in team sports.
• Draw up strength training plans.

Teaching Methods

The course consists of face-to-face lectures held in the classroom, designed to deliver theoretical content and promote critical engagement with the topics covered. Active interaction between the lecturer and students is encouraged through discussions, case study analyses, and interdisciplinary insights.

Syllabus/Content

• Introduction to training planning and periodisation: The basic principles of periodisation. Differences between planning and periodization. Training units - Session - Microcycle - Mesocycle - Macrocycle. Single annual periodisation - Double periodisation - Triple periodisation.
• Planning and Periodization in endurance disciplines: Basic principles of endurance periodisation. The Block Periodization. The polarised periodisation model. The threshold-based periodisation model. The training session and the competition day. The training session in the days immediately preceding the competition. Application of the different periodisation models to endurance sports: long-distance running, marathon, cycling, cross-country skiing, and triathlon.
• Planning and Periodization of strength training: Basic principles of periodization in strength training. The elements of programming: exercises, the session, cycles, blocks, periods. Programming elements in the fitness sphere. Periodisation in power disciplines.
• Planning and Periodisation in team sports: Periodisation in the various phases of the season. Periodization and recovery management. Periodization of training with competitive calendar phases with frequent cycle.
• Programming of high intensity interval training (HIIT): Periodization of HIIT training in the various sports disciplines.

Recommended Reading/Bibliography

• Slide
• Bibliography: The scientific bibliography will be indicated at each lecture.
• Book: Periodizzazione: Teoria e metodologia dell'allenamento. Calzetti-Mariucci.

Teachers and Exam Board

• MARCO PANASCI' (Lecturer and President of the Exam Board)
• PIERO RUGGERI (President and Coordinator of Integrated Course)

Lessons

• The lessons will take place in the 2nd semester.
• The class schedule will be available at the following link (not provided due to formatting constraints).

Exams

Exam Description

The examination for this teaching module will be conducted in written form and will consist of open-ended questions. This module is part of the integrated course "Biological and Biomechanical Aspects of Sports Performance 2". Consequently, the examination for this module must be taken simultaneously with the other two modules of the integrated course on the same examination date.

• The written test will comprise two open-ended questions and will have a duration of 20 minutes. A minimum score of 18/30 is required to pass this part of the examination.
• The integrated course examination is considered passed only if all three individual modules achieve a minimum score of 18/30. The final grade for the integrated course will be calculated as the weighted average of the scores obtained in each of the three modules.

Assessment Methods

The written examination is designed to assess the acquisition of fundamental knowledge covered in the course. The questions will evaluate the student's ability to apply this knowledge in a theoretical context. Candidates are expected to demonstrate the capacity to integrate and connect concepts presented during lectures with those developed through independent study. The examination will primarily focus on topics addressed during the lectures, encompassing both theoretical foundations. In addition to verifying basic knowledge, the test will also assess the candidate's ability to critically analyze and reflect upon the issues discussed throughout the course.

Exam Schedule

• 20/01/2026, 09:30, GENOVA
• 26/02/2026, 09:30, GENOVA
• 10/06/2026, 09:30, GENOVA
• 25/06/2026, 09:30, GENOVA
• 09/07/2026, 09:30, GENOVA
• 10/09/2026, 09:30, GENOVA

Further Information

Cases with a certified DSA, disability or other special educational needs are advised to contact both the Departmental contact person and the lecturer at the beginning of lessons in order to agree on teaching and examination methods that, while respecting the teaching objectives, take account of individual learning methods and provide suitable compensatory/exemptory tools recognised by the University DSA Service.