2012, Volume 8, Issue 4
Methodology of measurement, documentation and programming of optimal continuous workload with variable intensity - applications in sports medicine, physiotherapy, geriatrics, health-related training and sport for all
Roman Maciej Kalina1
1Faculty of Physiotherapy, Department of Health Promotion & Research Methodology, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Katowice, Poland
Author for correspondence: Roman Maciej Kalina; Faculty of Physiotherapy, Department of Health Promotion & Research Methodology, Academy of Physical Education, Katowice, Katowice, Poland; email: kom.kalina[at]op.pl
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Abstract
Background and Study Aim: Continuous workload can be defined as the activity of every muscle since the impulses of any intended movement aiming at implementation of a given goal result in an increase of heart muscle contractions beyond resting heart rate until the end of a given activity. The goal of this paper is the methodology of measurement and documentation of continuous physical effort with variable intensity.
Materials and Methods: Methods used in the study included the Delphi method, analysis of literature and scientific documentation, participant observation, case study and planning elements. The analysis of over 3000 reports of researches performed by students of physiotherapy and recreation (n = 855) during standard health-related training including those based on the exercises of safe falling and avoiding collisions (participant observation) was conducted in 2008-2012.
Results: The considerable advantage of the methodology of measurement, documentation and programming of the workload presented herein is the possibility to express this variable with the use of universal index, referred to as LE, based on conventional units. The index can be used on any level of preliminary analysis i.e. from particular exercises and set of exercises, exercise sessions to microcycles, mesocycles, macrocycles and long-term cycles.
Conclusions: The reduction of health promotion and physical activity mainly to walking, running, cycling or other simple forms of exercise may produce the opposite result in the longer term. That is, instead of achieving the ultimate goal of common physical activity we will achieve its negation.
Key words: effort safety, intensity zones, judo, supramaximal efforts, test for safe falls