Which of the following best defines the term 'periodisation' in sports training?

Periodisation in sports training refers to the systematic planning of athletic training, wherein training is divided into distinct phases or cycles, each with specific objectives. This approach allows athletes to manage their training loads effectively, catering to different aspects of performance such as endurance, strength, and skill development during each phase.

By structuring training into phases, athletes can peak at the right moments for competition, recuperate appropriately, and vary their training stimuli to prevent overtraining and burnout. This method ensures that all components of fitness are addressed throughout the training plan, leading to improved performance over time.

While maximizing competition outcomes is an important goal of training, it is achieved through the principles of periodisation rather than being an isolated definition. Creating a fixed training schedule does not account for the need for variation and adaptation over time, which is crucial in periodisation. Similarly, eliminating rest periods is contrary to effective training practices, as appropriate recovery is a vital component of achieving optimal performance through periodisation.