Table 3 Characteristics of studies comparing reverse, traditional and block modifie periodization in trained athletes on physiological and performance measures

Gómez Martín et al. [35]

Running

BP

More than 6 years of experience on running training; competing at regional and national level in 10 km and half-marathon races

12 weeks

55 h and 20 min

60% in Z1, 23% in Z2 and 16% in Z3

Blood sample collection, running-based anaerobic sprint test, incremental test to exhaustion on a treadmill, countermovement jump and 10,000-m running performance

RP increased VO₂max, speed at VO₂max, heart rate at VT₂ and VT₁ and anaerobic performance in a running-based anaerobic sprint test, while BP improved VO₂max, speed at VO₂max and heart rate at VT₂. Both types of training periodization maintained hematological values and evidently improved jump performance

RP

3246 min

60% in Z1, 23% in Z2 and 18% Z 3

Bradbury et al. [28]

Running

TP

More than 2-year running experience and a 5000-m personal best less than 25 min

12 weeks

295,090 m

–

Anthropometric measurements (body mass and 8 skinfolds), treadmill tests for running economy and VO₂max, and a 5000-m time trial performance

TP and RP improved performance in 5000 m compared to the CG. No significant differences between the TP and RP. Similar improvements in VO₂peak and Running Economy at 9 km/h and 11 km/h between TP and RP

RP

302,700 m

–

CG

Clemente-Suárez et al. [43]

Running

TP

Amateur triathletes

8 weeks

2,741 TRIMPS

Motivation scale, adherence of training and 2000-m time trial performance

None of group modified their running performance. RP produced a decrease in heart rate, while TP and FT maintained heart rate. The basal HR presented significant differences between free training and reverse and traditional training groups. RP showed a significantly higher motivation with training than TP and FT. Regarding adherence to the training programs, there were no significant differences between groups

RP

2,740 TRIMPS

FT

1610 TRIMPS

Clemente-Suárez and Ramos-Campo [29]

Triathlon

TP

More than 1 year of experience on triathlon training; 7.0 ± 1.5 h of training/week; competing at national level

10 weeks

37,754 TRIMPS

Body composition, heart rate variability, swimming, maximal horizontal jump and running performance and blood lactate concentration

RP and TP was an effective strategy to improve running performance, physiological variables, swimming technical ability, aerobic and anaerobic swimming performance, but did not modify body composition. RP efficiently improves horizontal jump performance compared with TP

RP

37,693TRIMPS

CG

11,496 TRIMPS

Swimming

Autonomic response (heart rate variability) and 50 m swimming performance

Clemente-Suárez et al. [31]

TP

6.5 ± 4.9 years of training experience and all of them competed at the national level at the time of the intervention

10 weeks

337,000 m

40% in Z1, 11% in Z2 and 48% in Z3

None of the groups improved their performance in the 50-m test. However, both groups exhibited changes in heart rate variability

RP

159,000 m

35% in Z1, 32% in Z2 and 33% in Z3

Arroyo-Toledo et al. [26]

Swimming

BP

Between 4 and 6 years of previous experience in swimming training and with practicing not more than three sessions per week and with moderately trained levels of competition

10 weeks

90,000 m

60% in Z1, 31% in Z2 and 9% in Z3

Body Composition and 100 m crawl swimming performance

RP improved 100 m swimming performance. BP increased fat-free mass while reducing values in fat mass and body fat percentage

RP

90,000 m

60% in Z1, 31% in Z2 and 9% in Z3

Arroyo-Toledo et al. [34]

Swimming

TP

Regional competitive program with average 5 years of training for a competition

14 weeks

324,000 m

70% in Z1, 25% in Z2 and 4% in Z3

100 m swimming performance and stroke rate, distance per stroke, specific swim power and maximal drag charge

RP improved 100 m swimming performance, specific swim power and maximal drag charge compared with TP values

RP

212,000 m

49% in Z1, 33% in Z2 and 17.90% in Z3

Clemente-Suárez et al. [27]

Swimming

TP

6.5 ± 4.9 years of training experience, training 5 to 6 days per week and all of them competed at national level

10 weeks

337,100 m

87% in Z1, 2.5% in Z2 and 10% in Z3

Velocity eliciting the blood lactate of 4 mmol/l, maximal oxygen uptake, rate of perceived exertion, heart rate, blood lactate concentration, strokes

Stroke index increased and stroke rate and RLPE at vVO₂max decreased in TP. RP increased the VO₂max

RP

159,000 m

841% in Z1, 7.9% in Z2 and 8% in Z3

Clemente-Suárez et al. [41]

Swimming

TP

6.5 ± 4.9 years of training experience and all competing at the national level

10 weeks

337,050 m

87% in Z1, 2.5% in Z2 and 10% in Z3

Swimming velocity, energy cost and percentage of aerobic and anaerobic energy contribution to the swimming intensities corresponding to the aerobic threshold, the anaerobic threshold and the velocity at maximal oxygen uptake

Both groups increased % anaerobic energy. In contrast, at the anaerobic threshold intensity and energy cost were only increased in TP. The percentage of aerobic, anaerobic, energy expenditure, energy cost at vVO₂max and swimming velocity did not alter in both groups

RP

159,020 m

84% in Z1, 7.9% in Z2 and 8.1% in Z3

Prestes et al. [36]

Strength training

TP

More than 6 months of previous experience with strength training

12 weeks

9,477 total repetitions

5.4% in < 6 RM, 67% in 7–11 RM and 27% in > 12 reps

Body composition (fat mass and fat-free mass), maximal strength (bench press, lat pull-down, arm curl and leg extension) and local muscular endurance

TP increased fat-free mass and decreased fat mass. Both models yielded gains in maximum strength levels in all exercises analyzed – higher in TP

RP

9,484 total repetitions

5.4% in < 6 RM, 68% in 7–11 RM and 27% in > 12 reps

Rhea et al. [42]

Strength training

TP

Subjects from college weight-training courses with more than one year and a maximum of 5 years training experience

15 weeks

85,500 ± 23,500 kg

–

Muscular endurance, total strength (1RM) and leg circumference

No differences in endurance, strength and leg circumference gains between groups. RP was more effective than TP at increasing muscular endurance. DUP and TP achieved higher increases in strength than RP

RP

82 150 ± 28,600 kg

–

DUP

80,120 ± 28,820 kg