Form, Fitness, and Fatigue are key metrics used by Triathlon Base coaches where this is all tracked in TrainingPeaks, for monitoring and analysing training data. These metrics can help coaches and their athletes understand their current level of readiness and inform their training plan going forward.
Form is a metric that indicates an athlete's current level of readiness or preparedness for competition. It is calculated based on an athlete's Training Stress Score (TSS) over the past seven days, compared to their long-term average TSS. The resulting number, expressed as a score out of 100, indicates how prepared the athlete is to compete at their best.
A high form score indicates that an athlete is well-rested and ready to perform at their highest level. On the other hand, a low form score suggests that the athlete may be fatigued or overtrained and may need to take a rest day or reduce their training load.
While there is no specific "good number" to aim for when it comes to form, a general rule of thumb is that athletes should aim to have a form score between 10and +15 in the days leading up to a race. This indicates that the athlete is well-rested and in peak condition for the event.
It's important to note, however, that the ideal form score may vary from athlete to athlete and may depend on factors such as their training history, training goals, and the demands of the race they are preparing for. Additionally, other factors such as nutrition, sleep quality, and stress levels can also impact an athlete's form score.
Fatigue refers to an athlete's level of tiredness or accumulated fatigue from training. It is calculated by subtracting an athlete's form score from their fitness score. If an athlete's form is high and their fitness is also high, their fatigue will be low, indicating that they are well-rested and ready for competition. If an athlete's form is low and their fitness is also low, their fatigue will be high, indicating that they may need to take a rest or recovery day.
When looking at these metrics in TrainingPeaks, there are a few key things to keep in mind. First, it's important to understand that these metrics are not absolute measures of an athlete's readiness or fitness. Rather, they are relative to an athlete's own training history and should be interpreted in that context.
Second, it's important to understand the relationship between these metrics. In general, an athlete's form will track with their fatigue - if their form is high, their fatigue will be low, and vice versa. However, their fitness may be relatively stable even as their form and fatigue fluctuate.
Finally, it's important to use these metrics in conjunction with other measures of an athlete's readiness and fitness, such as sleep quality, nutrition, and other subjective measures like mood and energy level. By taking a holistic approach to monitoring an athlete's readiness, TriathlonBase coaches and athletes can make more informed decisions about training and competition.
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