In threads where training philosophy comes up, discussions of TRIMPS and TSS and other training models occasionally intrude. These models are not very well known, and even more poorly understood, so probably SolarEnergy, qbrain and I are just talking to each other and killing threads in those conversations. In any case, I figured I would present a brief overview of what it is that we're talking about when this terminology starts showing up.
Best case, this will introduce these models to the subset of swimmers (or coaches) who would be interested enough to use them, but didn't previously know enough to do so.
Plus, even if you're not the type to be interested in quantifying your training, it can be useful to think about workouts in this general framework.
And, at the very least, this might serve as a place to discuss some of the details without worrying about driving those other threads too far off-topic.
Former Member
I'm still looking for a method with the right balance of detail without too much daily hassle.
Is the biggest hassle data entry or data collection?
I agree that for achieving a better fit, time constants should be adjusted on a per individual basis. It's done through a long process of trial and error involving reconciliation between the peaks that the graphs generated with the actual performance that was delivered.
So is the recommendation expressed by the authors of most modern impulse-response models.
That said though, and with all due respect for the quality of the research you've been doing so far, it is also strongly recommended to use weighted averaged scoring data to these models for better accuracy, as opposed to rely solely on distance sort of inputs.
Moreover, since there's a very strong sprinting over shorter distances component to most swimmers, I would certainly prioritize using weighted avg scoring data over adjusting time constant for better accuracy.
The least hassle might be the session RPE score. Rate how hard the session is and multiply * time. It is well regarded in the literature and seems to be quite good. Carl Foster is the original proponent I think. nice person with whom I collaborate on a regular basis did test it extensively I believe. Integrated in Banister's impulse-reponse model that is.
If I had to choose between using HR Based Trimp or RPE based Trimp for swimming, I would probably favor the later, since it gives you more flexibility whilst being easier to collect the data.
Hit this link here and download some stuff. It performs all the calculations for you. There's even a Skiba SS calculation sheet developed using VBA driven functions to compute IFs etc....
It's in Spanish but even I could find my way through it.
Periodic performance tests are definitely a problem.
Well to dredge this guy up again, I am about to launch a new initiative with my squad that hopefully will help us by not needing periodic performance tests to use with a Banister style impulse-response model.
I've done some digging and found that swim performance correlates pretty well with heart rate variability measures. RMSSD and LF power mainly.
This is isn't exactly new, what is new is that now anyone with a garmin or other ant+ heart rate monitor strap and an ant+ dongle for their computer cna get heart rate variability data with the help of free hrv analyzer software and a program called kubios. The test takes 5 minutes every morning after waking up and peeing but before coffee.
There is also $10 software for the iphone and android called ithlete that does the same thing along with their own little dongle as well.
If we are willing to accept that hrv measures correlate closely with swimming performance (most r values are 0.60 or higher) then we can use those hrv measures as input instead of performances. Making it much more accessible.
This way we can get Tn (drop dead day) estimates and Tg (best day to workout) estimates for all swimmers and time tapers more exactly for a wide variety of people. That's the idea anyway.
Here are the swimming correlation studies
ukpmc.ac.uk/.../reload=0;jsessionid=0vuJxRaMhMRUnvurybk1.0www.thieme-connect.com/.../s-2006-924490
here's one for running performance
www.springerlink.com/.../fulltext.pdf
here's one for changes in vo2max
www.depts.ttu.edu/.../hrv athletes_cnrl periperal perform.pdf
