Fartlek - Type of Training

fartlek: aims

used to maintain and improve cardiovascular and muscular endurance

• also known as ‘speed play’

fartlek: features

it’s a type of continuous training but it involves changes in intensity

• e.g. speed or terrain changes

fartlek: example

hill interval training

fartlek: overload

overload can be achieved by increasing the times or speeds of each bit or the terrain difficulty

• e.g. game-play sports, such as netball, rugby, football and other sports like that, are better suited to fartlek training

  • as at different points in a game (in these sports) you’ll be sprinting, jogging or running —> the intensity can change very quickly in these kinds of games

fartlek: advantages

• early adapted to suit the individuals level of fitness and sport

• can include a mixture of anaerobic and aerobic activities

fartlek: disadvantages

• frequent changes to intensity can mean that training lacks structure