Endurance Training Trends: Let's Get Personal

data numeric Algorithm in green numbers wiht black background

The next endurance athlete training trend is likely to be one that focuses on personalized  'everything'; from training plans to data-driven insights. As technology continues to advance, athletes will have access to more and more data about their performance.

This data can be used to create personalized training plans that are tailored to the individual athlete's strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Additionally, data can be used to track progress over time and make adjustments to the training plan as needed.

Another trend that is likely to continue to grow in popularity is the use of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) for training.

How does virtual & augmented reality training help an endurance athlete?

VR and AR can be used to create realistic simulations of different environments, which can help athletes to train in a safe and controlled environment.

It can:

  • Provide a safe and controlled environment for training. VR can be used to create realistic simulations of different environments, such as mountains, forests, and beaches. This can help athletes to train in a safe and controlled environment, without having to worry about the dangers of the real world.
  • Help athletes to improve their form and technique. VR can be used to provide real-time feedback to athletes, which can help them to improve their form and technique. This can be especially helpful for athletes who are new to a particular sport or activity.
  • Help athletes to stay motivated. VR can be used to create immersive and engaging training experiences, which can help athletes to stay motivated and on track with their training goals.
  • Help athletes to track their progress. VR training systems can track a variety of data points, such as heart rate, distance traveled, and calories burned. This data can be used to monitor progress over time and make adjustments to the training plan as needed.

VR and AR can also be used to provide feedback to athletes in real time, which can help them to improve their form and technique.

Finally, data & the use of wearable devices is also likely to continue to grow in popularity. Wearable devices can track a variety of data points, such as heart rate, distance traveled, and calories burned. This data can be used to monitor progress over time and make adjustments to the training plan as needed.

person checking their smart watch

Some of the most popular wearable devices for athletes include:

  • Garmin Forerunner 955: The Garmin Forerunner9555 is a great all-around wearable device for athletes. It tracks a variety of metrics, including heart rate, distance, pace, and calories burned. It features a responsive touchscreen, up to 15-day battery life, HRV status, and much more. It also has a built-in GPS and music player.
  • Apple Watch Ultra: The Apple Watch Ultra  is another great option for athletes. It tracks a variety of metrics, including heart rate, distance, pace, and calories burned. It also has a built-in GPS and music player. It has a larger display than the previous version and is more durable.
  • Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 : The Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 are great options for athletes who are looking for a more high end option. It tracks a variety of metrics, including heart rate, distance, pace, and calories burned. follow stress and sleep patterns.
  • Suunto 9 Peak: The Suunto 9 Peak is a great option for athletes who are looking for a more advanced wearable device. It tracks a variety of metrics necessary for data tracking It has a longer battery life than the previous version and is more durable. Best-in-class battery life up to 40 hrs on best GPS mode and up to 300 hrs on tour mode.
  • Polar Vantage M2: The Polar Vantage M2 is a great option for athletes who are looking for a more affordable advanced wearable device. It tracks a variety of metrics, including heart rate, distance, pace, calories burned, and sleep. It also has a built-in GPS and music player.

Ultimately, the best wearable device for athletes is the one that meets their individual needs and goals.

The most important data form for endurance athletes is heart rate data. Heart rate data can be used to track progress over time, monitor training intensity, and identify areas that need improvement. Heart rate data can also be used to create personalized training plans and make adjustments to the training plan as needed.

    Stress, HRV, Sleep with red heart in the middle of a heart beat signal

    Drilling down into specific areas of heart rate data is HRV.

    Heart rate variability (HRV) is a measure of the variation in the time between heartbeats. It is a non-invasive, easy-to-measure physiological parameter that has been shown to be a reliable marker of autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. HRV is thought to be a good indicator of overall health and well-being, and it has been linked to a number of physical and mental health outcomes.

    HRV data can be used in a variety of ways to improve your health and well-being. Here are a few tips:

      • Use HRV data to track your stress levels. HRV is a good indicator of stress levels. When you are stressed, your HRV will decrease. By tracking your HRV, you can get a better understanding of how your stress levels are changing over time. This can help you to identify and manage stress more effectively.
      • Use HRV data to improve your sleep quality. HRV is also a good indicator of sleep quality. When you sleep well, your HRV will increase. By tracking your HRV, you can get a better understanding of how your sleep quality is changing over time. This can help you to identify and improve your sleep habits.
      • Use HRV data to optimize your workouts. HRV can also be used to optimize your workouts. When you are well-rested and recovered, your HRV will be high. By tracking your HRV, you can get a better understanding of when you are ready to train hard and when you need to rest. This can help you to avoid overtraining and injury.
      • Use HRV data to monitor your overall health and well-being. HRV is a good indicator of overall health and well-being. By tracking your HRV over time, you can get a better understanding of how your health is changing. This can help you to identify any potential health problems early on and take steps to prevent them.
    • Here are some of the benefits of using heart rate data for endurance athletes:

      • Track progress over time: Heart rate data can be used to track progress over time and see how your fitness is improving. This can be helpful for staying motivated and on track with your training goals.
      • Monitor training intensity: Heart rate data can be used to monitor training intensity and make sure you are not overtraining. Overtraining can lead to injury and burnout.
      • Identify areas that need improvement: Heart rate data can be used to identify areas that need improvement in your training. This can help you to create a personalized training plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
      • Create personalized training plans: Heart rate data can be used to create personalized training plans that are tailored to your specific needs. This can help you to improve your performance and reach your training goals.
      • Make adjustments to the training plan as needed: Heart rate data can be used to make adjustments to the training plan as needed. This can be helpful for staying on track with your training goals and avoiding injury.

    cut out of red and black pare cutouts.

    Personalizing an athlete's diet is becoming more important than ever.

    There are many reasons why a personalized diet is important to an athlete. Here are a few of the most important reasons:

    • To improve performance: A personalized diet can help athletes to improve their performance by providing them with the nutrients they need to recover from workouts and build muscle.
    • To prevent injuries: A personalized diet can help athletes to prevent injuries by providing them with the nutrients they need to maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
    • To improve recovery: A personalized diet can help athletes to recover from workouts more quickly by providing them with the nutrients they need to repair muscle tissue and replenish glycogen stores.
    • To maintain a healthy weight: A personalized diet can help athletes to maintain a healthy weight by providing them with the right amount of calories and nutrients.
    • To improve overall health: A personalized diet can help athletes to improve their overall health by providing them with the nutrients they need to reduce their risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.

    dietitian working on athletes diet program.

    It is important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all diet for athletes. The best diet for an athlete will vary depending on their individual needs, goals, and preferences. That's why it's important to work with a registered dietitian or other qualified healthcare professional to create a personalized diet plan.

    Overall, the next endurance athlete training trend is likely to be one that is data-driven, personalized, and uses technology to create a safe and effective training environment.