The effects of the basic meso-cycle of the general preparation period on the improvement of long jump performance and fitness level

Abstract

One of the most competitive sports events is long jump event. Most of the athletes prioritize performance over fitness level. The aim of the study was to increase an athlete's long jump performance and overall fitness. This article describes how to determine and implement training loads for the athlete. An athlete who had stopped participating in sport was selected and his fitness components were assessed at baseline performance. Utilizing baseline data, an annual plan was created, and the training load was thoroughly evaluated. The athlete received the first meso-cycle for eight weeks. The same test was again given following the eight-week training course in order to assess his current performance and compare it to his baseline performance. Performance on the pretest and posttest was compared. The subject was an amateur athlete at the Sabaragamuwa University in Sri Lanka. Through this training program, the participants' initial performance was improved by 1.6%, 2.9%, 1.8%, 12.5%, 14.2%, 17.3%, 20%, and 8.6%, respectively, in the 30m acceleration test, leg elastic strength, standing board jump, upper body strength test, lower body strength test, sit up test, sit and reach test, and vertical jump test. The results indicate that the introduced approach should be utilized to determine the training load, and this mesocycle can be used by beginner and intermediate athletes throughout their initial period of preparation.