Success for an athlete depends on their ability to perform at their best when it matters most. Performance depends on the athlete's body having acquired the most beneficial adaptations for their sport. But how can an athlete or coach be sure that training results in the desired adaptations?

Training can be defined as the stimulation of biological adaptations that result in an improvement in performance in a given task. Athletes and coaches have learned, mostly through trial and error, how to exploit the ability of the body to adapt in response to potentially harmful stimuli. The challenge lies in applying the right stimuli at the right intensity for the right amount of time: muscles respond to working more forcefully than normal by becoming bigger, stronger, and more resistant to damage, but over-training can lead to injury. This book provides the information necessary to decide on the most effective way to improve performance, underpinned by an understanding of the mechanisms behind adaptation and thoroughly supported by scientific research.

The Physiology of Training for High Performance begins by introducing the reader to the concept and physiological bases of adaptation. The authors then delve into training for different outcomes, for example, improved endurance or speed, and relate the discussion to various sports and events. Finally, the authors summarize the latest research surrounding additional factors that affect an athlete's performance and potential, including tapering, nutrition, and body composition.

Online Resource Centre The Online Resource Centre to accompany The Physiology of Training for High Performance features:

For students: BL Multiple choice questions to check understanding and aid revision BL Links to sources of further information

For registered adopters of the book: BL Figures from the book, available for download

Duncan MacDougall's profile page

Digby Sale's profile page

Duncan MacDougall and Digby Sale are Professors Emeriti at McMaster University, where they have taught exercise physiology and conducted research into the physiology of training for almost 40 years. They are internationally renowned exercise scientists who have collectively authored more than 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals, in addition to dozens of book chapters and several hundred abstracts and lay publications. Both are former athletes and coaches (MacDougall in football, track and field and hockey and Sale in track and gymnastics) and have worked extensively as training consultants for a number of Olympic and professional teams. Duncan MacDougall came to McMaster in 1970 and was the founder and director of the Human Performance Laboratory until his retirement. He is a former president of the Canadian Association of Sports Sciences (now the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology) and a recipient of that organization's Honour Award. He has served on the editorial boards of a number of journals, including the Journal of Applied Physiology and the Canadian Journal of Applied Sports Sciences (now the Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism). He is the senior author of the book Physiological Testing of the High Performance Athlete, and over the years has been a fitness and training consultant to such teams as the Canadian National Ski Team (both alpine and cross-country), the Canadian Rowing Team and the Detroit Red Wings and Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League. Digby Sale began his career at McMaster in 1967 and over the years has served as head gymnastics coach (for 6 years), vice-president of the Canadian Intercollegiate Gymnastic Coaches' Association, chair of the graduate program in the Department of Kinesiology and chair of the Department of Kinesiology. He has also served on the Board of Governors of the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and on the editorial boards for a number of journals, including the International Journal of Sports Medicine and the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. He has collaborated extensively with Dr. MacDougall in the testing of athletes in a number of different sports, including hockey, soccer, judo, rowing and skiing. Dr. Sale received his undergraduate training at the University of Toronto, his Master's degree at the University of Western Ontario and his Ph.D. at McMaster University.